Can it be salvaged?

[scott7118]

I bought a Max II 3 weeks ago and it was a functioning unit. It ran and moved but not up to what I've seen in other aatv's. So the teardown commenced in my free time. The 16hp Briggs twin is in great shape, so no problem there. But when it came time to service the tranny, I got my wake-up call. We drained, Literally, a gallon on gear oil from it.. I am hoping to be able to "flush" the tranny out with several ATF changes over a weeks worth of driving. What do you think. Can it be salvaged?

[Mike]

The only thing you can do is put it back together and try it. Some people have been lucky but you often hear of gear oil ruining the bands. If the bands look fine right now and do not have any material delaminating from them, then they may be fine. If you want to be on the safe side, send your bands off to get relined and then you won't have to worry about anything.

Just one other note, are you sure it was gear oil? I have seen some ATF turn a nasty color in a T20. If I hadn't put it in myself, I would question what kind of fluid it was.

[racerone3]

I had the exact same situation in my wild wolf when I got it... literally FILLED with gear oil. I did 6 fluid changes and then ran it for about a year. when I finally got around to tearing it down I was expecting it to be on the verge of carnage, but it was one of the best I've seen. I put relined bands in it because I had them on hand, but the bands that came from it have sense ended up in the trans of my Attex tank trainer.

I consider myself lucky on this one... you might have the same luck... you might kill 4 drums... it just depends on how much you want to gamble. If money, time and mechanical ability were no issue, I would say tear it down. In the case of mine I was way over budget on the build and just happened to get lucky.

[amphibious drew]

I'd tear it down and look at the bands and make sure the proper bearings are in the output shafts too. I had a newly "rebuilt" tranny in my t-hawk when i got it. It too was filled with gear oil and i almost lost my left case due to the wrong bearing installed instead of the right one and a c-clip. My bands were good and drums were great. I too replaced my bands anyway, and if i remember right, i believe lewis may have had gear oil in his springer's t20 with no issues. I don't think the gear oil is a big deal as long as the bands are good.

[scott7118]

Definitely had the stink of gear oil (if you know what I mean). It acctually rolls around easier since draining and refilling with ATF. I'll keep my fingers crossed as I start to run it when re-assembled. Thanks for the input!