'69 NP 435 Tranmission Oil Test

[karlatteberry]

Hopefully someone knows how to read these? I had my oil in my transmission tested, as a rebuild by a local shop went horribly wrong, and I ended up having to take the tranmission out myself and get rebuilt - again at my cost! This oil was sampled after about 1200 miles of use in the NP435 tranmission. I was told by the 2nd rebuild shop (that did an amazing job by the way), that the previous shop left out a thrust washer on the countershaft, and shimmed the main shaft incorrectly. The transmission basically chewed itsself apart. What I am hoping is someone can tell me what the abormal numbers should be - and what is indicated by them. Thanks!!

[averagef250]

I would guess NP435 synchro rings are made from an aluminum bronze alloy. Synchros are going to wear a little right away before settling in. The aluminum and copper results could be attributed to the synchros.

You could be the first person in history to oil test a 435. If it shifts good and the oil isn't sparkly you should be fine.

[karlatteberry]

Unfortunately - with a thrust washer / bearing left out on the rebuild, on the countershaft, and it incorrectly shimmed - it was makeing AWEFUL noise, so thats what drove the whole new rebuild - from a different shop, and I kept the oil - thinking I may need to test it. I've attached a photo of the oil - thoughts?? It might be hard to see - but it came out almost like metallic paint.

oil emailsize.jpg

[averagef250]

I see, so you had the old, junk oil tested.

So you are going to sue the shop that screwed up your transmission and feel you need hard evidence to back up the claim? Have another test done on the transmissions current oil.

Did the shop that screwed it up refuse to warranty their work?

[karlatteberry]

Yes - AWEFUL customer service - absolutely refused to take responsibity. I am taking them to small claims court (well - i was - but they chose the full jury trial which raises it to Civil court). I already have a letter written from the 2nd shop that rebuilt it saying that there was a thrust washer missing on the countershaft, and that the main shaft bearing was shimmed incorrectly. So - yes, I am looking for as much evidence to back my claim as possible. I am sure that most consumers would have dropped this by now (which is what I'm sure they bank on) - but this is my baby and I'm pissed! Note that that photo was taken with only about 1400 miles on the tranmission after they "re-sealed" it. It was 50 w oil.