T20 bands transmission slip

[patb069]

Hi all. I know it has been a while since I have had a t20, but isn't it true that the transmission has some braking ability while in gear? I was on a hill and my engine died and I started rolling uncontrollably backwards down the hill into the street. I pulled on the laterals as hard as I could but the transmission felt like it was in freewheel and with no braking ability.Very scary. Any ideas on what is wrong? Thanks.

[amphibious drew]

You were pulling back correct??? Was the machine turning fine. If you are in forward, pulling back should stop you regardless of engine power. You may have accidentally kicked it up into neutral. Dakota did that to me at George's one time. I stood on the foot brake and another member caught my machine as well. It was pretty scary for a second. If its not steering well, the bands could be out of adjustment though.

[patb069]

Hi Drew. It started out turning fine. Within literally a 30 second ride the steering became labored and spongy. I pushed and pulled both laterals after the engine died and had no brakes and no steering. I confirmed the tranny was still in gear. At Buggymans recommendation i used Castrol dextron 4 full synthetic tranny fluid for Chrysler engines. Maybe it just doesn't like the good stuff? I am going to drain the tranny and try type F and see if that helps. I believe the bands may need to be readjusted as I had to really use pressure on the laterals to make the machine turn once I got down the block.

[jpswift1]

Pat, It may be out of adjustment. Which side was spongy or was it both? Like you said, I'd try the ATF type F......just a hair under a quart and then add about 4 ounces of limited slip differential additive. Give me a call if you need any help with it. I/m glad you're ok after the machine rolled down the hill. I've had that happen to me a few times and it's quite the scary situation.

[patb069]

Sup Mr. Jeff!! It was both. Jim and I adjusted the pistons by eye in Ashtebula. They seemed pretty close to the 5/16ths setting. I will have to recheck now. Thanks for the info.

[amphibious drew]

Something happened. At first I was thinking a pin that holds the bands in place gave out and slipped loose. But when you said you could steer, but not well, combined with the fact that you changed the fluid, I am thinking something had a chemical reaction and your bands quickly delaminates with the heat. I'd maybe just spit it in half and take a quick peak.

[thebuggyman1]

Drew, that T-20 was the fresh rebuilt Jeff sold Pat at Ashtabula, and I'm sure the bands were new, not relined. The trans was dry, and Pat couldn't find any fluid there close to the track. I really don't think it's a fluid issue, probably more likely that I just didn't have the initial adjustment right.

[amphibious drew]

Jim, when I had a pin pop it was just after swift and I rebuilt it, but I lost total steering in one side. If they were new bands, they could have been defective. Maybe it was a bad adjustment job. I really couldn't tell you. I do know Jay has told me certain chemical reactions can cause delamination. I guess check the adjustment and go from there???

[thebuggyman1]

The part that really gets me here is that it happened to both sides at once. If it happened to one side, there are lots of possible problems....to both sides???? All they have in common is the input shaft. I have snapped one of those before, but the machine goes nowhere.

[ARGOJIM]

Hey guys, on a similar separate note, Pat I have your floorboard here in NJ for the Chapparal.

[patb069]

Thanks for all of the input guys. I am going to work backwards starting with the simplest first. The laterals appear to be level and have limited functionality. I will start with the fluid and if that doesn't work, I will move on to the piston adjustment as they seem pretty close to where they should be. Truth be told the way that I flew backwards down that hill, I was wondering if I tore the lining off the bands because there was absolutely no friction. I'll keep you guys abreast of the results. Thank you all again for the help. Thank you for letting me know you have the pan ArgoJim. I will try to make arrangements for getting it from you soon if you don't mind holding on to it for me for a bit.
,

[jpswift1]

The two bands that were installed were brand new factory Recreatives bands. Keep us updated, Pat and we'll help get it figured out. Give me a buzz if you need any tech support over the phone.

[JoeMeg]

I would also pay close attention to the linkages in the machine itself as these where "added" into the loop. I run GM Auto-Trac II full synthetic fluid in my T-20. It seem to do fine. Hope ya get something figured out soon.

Joe.

[patb069]

Hi Joe. Didn't think about that. Buggy man had his T20 set very tight for racing. Maybe the linkages don't give enough throw now that the tranny has been set to normal specs. I'll have to check that too. Thanks for the suggestion.