T20 Noise

[Trapper1000]

Hi I am new to this site and bought a 2001 max iv a few months back and love the machine. I changed the transmission oil a few times, started out with dextron 111 with 4 oz. of anti slip fluid and the T 20 starting squeaking or groaning wile turning or holding the leavers back wile going down hills. I changed the oil to type F fluid with out anti slip and it got a bit better. I have changed the oil 3 times now with about 10 hrs on each change. It is still making the binding or groaning noise. works okay but don't like the noise. What can I do.
Trapper 1000

[amphibious drew]

Take the t-20 out and check out your bands and drums. It sound like your band material maybe gone and at least your bands need relined. Look at your drums and check for pitting and scoring. Hopefully it hasn't gotten that bad yet, but you do need to check it out.

[Joe H]

What kind of additive did you put in it? Most of the limited slip additives you buy at the local parts store will say "not for ATF applications" right on the bottle. The only additive that I know works is from GM and it is for limited slip differentials, I would try that before removing the trans. Dextron lll is a good choice for fluid as it has more detergent than typeF. Good luck with it, Joe

[msafi65]

Ive had several T-20s that groaned bad . Usually after injesting water or synthetic ATF. Type F with GM posi additive will quiet most down. The really noisy ones have had drums so polished that I could see myself in them. I deglaze the drums in the lathe with 80 grit paper.I want dull gray drums when done, friction is the way these things work. Also measure lining and check for loose spots near the eyes.The noisy ones will pop pieces off near the eyes, the groan is vibration of the bands. If band lining measures more than .015" and is adhered to the steel good, you deglaze with a scotchbrite pad. Ive seen lining that measured to new specs and was very shiny. Deglaze drums and bands and it will be silent with the proper fluid and additive. This site has lots of good info for these machines,good luck.

[Trapper1000]

Thank you for the info, I injested a lot of water and that is when the noise started. I guess Its time to learn how a T - 20 comes apart, I will try the Type F with the GM posi additive first. The first time I changed the T-20 oil was right after the sinking event ( learning experience ) for sure. I used dextron 3 and CRC posi-track limited slip gear oil additive and it does say on the back, not for automatic transmission or other ATF applications. Should have read the fine print first. ( another learning moment ) maybe with a little luck it will come back around on its own. If that doesn't work out however, what parts do I need to pull it apart and back together, should I change the bearings and sprockets seals and so on. I wonder if I bought new bands hopefully not drums and gears, I would like to have mostly everything that should be replaced at hand before I start. Thank you for all the help, Cheers Gary

[msafi65]

Order a gasket and seal kit from RI and take it apart. the water dosent work out of the output bearing pockets and will rust them in time. Iv had my own apart after changing fluid many times and found water on the output bearings. good info here on the t-20. there not to hard to do . good luck.

[MaxRules]

What kind of additive did you put in it? Most of the limited slip additives you buy at the local parts store will say "not for ATF applications" right on the bottle. The only additive that I know works is from GM and it is for limited slip differentials, I would try that before removing the trans. Dextron lll is a good choice for fluid as it has more detergent than typeF. Good luck with it, Joe

The reason it says that on the bottle is because the additive is made to reduce chatter in a limited slip differential (rear end of a truck). It will cause an automatic transmission in a car to slip which would be very bad. A T-20 is not an automatic transmission (the belt drive CVT makes the vehicle 'automatic') and some slipping, instead of chattering, helps improve steering. The additive is capatible with the lining on the bands, unlike gear lube which will strip the lining off in a short time. The auto parts store additive works well and I've never seen it cause any issues since we started using it back in about 2001.

[jpswift1]

The reason it says that on the bottle is because the additive is made to reduce chatter in a limited slip differential (rear end of a truck). It will cause an automatic transmission in a car to slip which would be very bad. A T-20 is not an automatic transmission (the belt drive CVT makes the vehicle 'automatic') and some slipping, instead of chattering, helps improve steering. The additive is capatible with the lining on the bands, unlike gear lube which will strip the lining off in a short time. The auto parts store additive works well and I've never seen it cause any issues since we started using it back in about 2001.

You're right absolutely right. And I too have been using the anti-slip differential additive that the auto parts store sells for all my machines and I've never had any issues.

[Trapper1000]

Thanks again, this is a great site, I have enjoyed the discussions and videos, I do need a press for the bearings on the T20 right? and I think that I will order new bands when I order the gasket kit. I will call rec. Ind. tommorow

[Joe H]

The reason it says that on the bottle is because the additive is made to reduce chatter in a limited slip differential (rear end of a truck). It will cause an automatic transmission in a car to slip which would be very bad. A T-20 is not an automatic transmission (the belt drive CVT makes the vehicle 'automatic') and some slipping, instead of chattering, helps improve steering. The additive is capatible with the lining on the bands, unlike gear lube which will strip the lining off in a short time. The auto parts store additive works well and I've never seen it cause any issues since we started using it back in about 2001.

Well thanks Mister Obvious, in my thirty years of experience I was never able to figure that out! I was just sharing what has worked for me in the past as a curative for band chatter and the GM friction modifier has worked the best(for me).

[Mike]

The bearings are not pressed in, they are held in place by a lock ring. There are lots of videos and photos in the how-to section of the site that will walk you through the complete rebuild: How to Rebuild a T20

For your bands, if the metal of the bands are in good shape, you can have all four relined for about the price of one new one. Use the search here in the transmission forum to find the contact information for the companies that reline them. Many people, including myself have had good luck with Transmission Crafters in Albany Georgia.