Auto Tranny slipping in drive... rebuild or not?

[CHnKTSi]

ok. this is for my friend's car but most work has been done by me.
so here it goes.
when he first got the car there was a problem with the tranny. it is auto with 98k miles on it.
the car will go really well in reverse gear, but when in drive, 1st, 2nd, or any forward gear it would slip.
the car moves barely even at high rpm.
we checked the fluid level and it was at almost empty (recommended amount was 7qt but only found 2-3qt inside).
after changing out the tranny oil, it was doing the same. is it time for rebuild or other problem?
i heard of same problem from one of the dsmtuner member stating the same effect but other way around (drive works but reverse slipping). his car ran good after doing a seafoam. what should the problem be?

2nd question, what is the skill level of rebuilding auto tranny. i am used to rebuilding the manual tranny but never had chance to work with any auto tranny so i would not know. if anyone knows a diagram or write-up of auto tranny rebuild, help me out.

 

[CHnKTSi]

any comments or suggestion?

 

[Matrixhunter]

Most likely clutches are burned out especially if you where so low on fluid im in the middle of taking my out what a pain im telling you nothing like removing a standard and rebuilding even experts mess them up half the time. Take it out get a working used one put shift kit inside change end clutch hope this helps.

 

[wimploki]

Most likely clutches are burned out especially if you where so low on fluid im in the middle of taking my out what a pain im telling you nothing like removing a standard and rebuilding even experts mess them up half the time. Take it out get a working used one put shift kit inside change end clutch hope this helps.

! It's Automatic pal There is no clutch!!!

 

[danny_l_2005]

wimploki your mistaken. Automatics do have end clutches. don't get mistaken with a clutch of a standard and end clutches of automatics

 

[wimploki]

wimploki your mistaken. Automatics do have end clutches. don't get mistaken with a clutch of a standard and end clutches of automatics

haha..missed that one. Yea, automatics have end clutches.

End clutch kit can be purchased from IPT, it's only about $84.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

I would take it to a good transmission shop. Have them rebuild it. You get 2 things here. 1 Warranty. 2 They can perform updates that may be otherwise missed by someone lesser qualified. This guarantees you the best bang for your buck. Also, flush out the transmission line cooler. I've seen these kill more trannies than any thing else. And yes automatics do have clutches. Those high speed revving runs just put the death touch to them though. If the trans is slipping, stop and have it fixed. Anything more just makes it sometimes more expensive to fix.

Good Luck

 

[Matrixhunter]

Hey just one more thing if you do decide to go for a rebuild then put the IPT rebuild kit and take those parts to a shop. Otherwise they might put sub-standard replacement parts and you will never know. Also the IPT kit has a 5 disk front clutch pack 25% more torque in third gear and upgraded end clutch. Also to prevent future damage get a trans temp guage use ONLY AMSOIL synthetic and get a Tru-Cool Transmission cooler which is atleast 19,000 GVW. 40 degrees different in fuild temperature can double the life of the transmission.

http://www.importperformancetrans.com/mitsubishiauto.shtml

Check it out.