Symptoms of Bad Sun Shell (Best 4l60e rebuild kit with sun shell)

Last updated on July 11th, 2023 at 08:47 pm

If you are wondering what are the common symptoms of bad sun shell or maybe you like pick the best 4l60e rebuild kit with sun shell?, then this is the post for you.

The failure of the sun shell will make you lose your overdrive gears (R, 2nd, and 4th). But if you notice these are not the symptoms that you’re seeing, then it means your sun shell is still fine.

Normally, once your sun shell goes bad, the 1st and 3rd gears will still be working fine.

However, there is a possibility for the sun shell to be replaced.

Before proceeding fully, first here are subjects I go through in this post starting with what is a sun shell in a transmission and what does a sun shell do in a transmission.

Then we will further talk about what causes a sun shell to break, the 5 Common symptoms of bad sun shell and finally 3 best 4l60e rebuild kit with sun shell you can get on Amazon. You can also check this hand-manual for fixing a transmission issue.

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What is a sun shell in a transmission?

The vehicle sun shell, also known as the reaction drive shell happens to be the weakest link in all 700R4/4L60E models.

It is made of a thicker steel which happens to be 10x stronger than all OE shell

I have been able to use this shell in all my rebuilding, and have never seen any one of them failing. And this also includes a new plastic thrust washer.

So what does a sun shell do in a transmission?

Mostly, the sun shell avoids the weight that it finds in traditional, or heavy-duty aftermarket shells, this is because there is a unique combination of an improved looks and the production for a maximum strength shell which is only slightly bulkier than OE.

However, to avoid thrust loads from overweighting the captured planetary bearing, your sun shell features a bigger bearing and custom roller clutch race. The components re-route some thrust loads via the carrier, perfectly bypassing the softer bearing;

Stopping spline stripping
Avoiding hub breakage
Terminate the planetary bearing failure

3 Best 4l60e rebuild kit with sun shell on Amazon

This 4L60E happens to be an automated transmission which is produced by General Motors, having its origin being the TH700R4 in 1982.

Indeed, it’s one of the well-known rear-wheel-drive transmissions you can find in the US. You can find this transmission in a lot of vans, light pickup trucks, and cars.

The 4L60E Transmission Rebuild Kit Heavy Duty Master Kit with 3-4 Power-pack: the best 4l60e rebuild kit

This is a good transmission which is sold by the world wide parts. Their Outlet happens to be the only place with the authorization to distribute this customize kit.

This kit was made for Rebuilds of 1997-2003 GM 4L60E transmissions.
It comes with all HEG Frictions NOT Stock Tan materiel, which is the True Heavy Duty Plates Custom Friction Steel Module
It comes with the Alto 3-4 Power Pack, which increases the stock 3-4 clutch stack to about 30% maximum holding capacity and durability.
This product was made for Deep pan Units Only, meaning if you have a shallow pan filter or Corvette Pan Filter, it will not be correct.

Note that this is a proprietary kit, which is only distributed by World Wide Parts Outlet. Also, the product is perfect for all 1997-2003 GM 4L60E transmission rebuilds.

The transmission comes with the Alto 3-4 Power Pack which multiplies the stock 3-4 clutch stack with a multiplication of about 30% greater holding capacity & durability.

Please note that this kit is only good for a deep pan unit, but in case yours is a Corvette Pan Filter or shallow pan filter, then this kit won’t be good for you.

Get It On Amazon Here

The Phoenix Transmission Parts 4L60E Transmission Rebuild Kit 1997-2003 + frictions, filter, band

The Phoenix Transmission Parts company is one of the worldwide leaders in automated transmission parts and torque converters.

A great product of the Phoenix transmission 4L60E rebuilds kit made for General Motors vehicles from 1997-2003 which includes a gasket and seal kit, an OE Exedy or an Alto friction plate module, the Alto Red Eagle powerband, and the deep pan filter, with their molded piston set.

Get It On Amazon

The 4L60E Transmission Level 2 High-Performance Rebuild Kit 1997-2003

The Phoenix Transmission Parts company is one of the worldwide leaders in automated transmission parts and torque converters.

Here is another Phoenix kit, this is their 4L60E level 2 high-performance rebuild kit produced for General Motors vehicles from 1997-2003.

This product comes with a complete gasket and seal kit.
It includes the Raybestos Z-Pak with the upgraded 3/4 friction plates and 3/4 steel plates.
It also comes with a Raybestos Stage 1 Friction Plate Module
Comes with a 3-pc molded piston set, and a wide high energy carbon band.
There is availability of a deep pan filter in the set, and also a Clevite bushing kit and a duty sprag upgrade with the beast Sun shell heavy-duty upgrade.

I guess I have been able to show you the best 4l60e rebuild kit with sun shell; these are the best three kits you can buy online.

Get It On Amazon

5 Common symptoms of bad sun shell

You will feel bad when your sun shell goes bad, I know because it has happened to me. It was a crazy experience that I wouldn’t want to repeat again.

Do you know the symptoms that goes with bad sun shell? Was it fixed or totally replaced?

The truth is, most people with bad sun shell takes their vehicle to the repair shop, maybe to get it fixed or totally replaced.

However, here are the 5 symptoms of bad sun shell you should look at for.

You will totally lose your R gear
You will also lose your 2nd gear
You will lose 4th gears
You will have a clean break without lots of metal shavings or filings
You will hear a big clunk sound

These are the symptoms you would likely observe, but in case these symptoms aren’t what you are seeing, then it means your sun shell is not yet bad. Normally, the 1st and 3rd gears will still be working well. Whenever your sun shell fails completely, you will normally observe a clean break without lots of metal filings or shavings.

Another thing is that if you’re changing the sun shell and gear, it will be good to use something along the line such as the Brute Sunshell, which happens to be a heavy-duty replacement parts and with this, there will be no need to replace the cracking also.

If you like a more detailed manual on how to fix your car transmission problem, then check this hand-manual on Amazon.