48RE Intermediate strut

L

LReiff

The Antistock
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
9,201
Why do some transmission builders use a HD or Billet strut in their rebuilds and other builders get by with the stock strut?
 
No clue, but i have seen 47/48's with bent struts in stock apps.... my strut was bent like 30 degrees and caused my band to get worn out.
 
I had no issues with my factory one. You could just weld a piece of flat stock to it to reinforce it. The cast anchor can break, I would change it out.
 
some builders would rather have the strut bend instead of breaking the band. i had the spot weld on my band break and caused the anchor to be driven in to the band. depending on how hard the band is being applied you might need a little flex in the strut to keep from breaking the band.
 
I have seen the spot weld on the band break. I didn't know if it was related to the strut or just a faulty weld.
 
There are multiple things that cause the welds to break, but I don't think it is due to a faulty weld.

The way I see it is that you have a few options:

1. Take your risks running a stock style flex band.
2. Run a flex band that has been reinforced.
3. Run a rigid band.

I'm quite baffled as to why more people don't run the rigid bands. It is a fairly common thing to do in race trannys.

I would never run the stock support.
 
mondtster said:
There are multiple things that cause the welds to break, but I don't think it is due to a faulty weld.

The way I see it is that you have a few options:

1. Take your risks running a stock style flex band.
2. Run a flex band that has been reinforced.
3. Run a rigid band.

I'm quite baffled as to why more people don't run the rigid bands. It is a fairly common thing to do in race trannys.

I would never run the stock support.
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You speak like you have some experience so please tell me the reasons that the bands break or that the struts bend.
 
Line pressure, apply lever ratio, and input torque all play a part IMHO. All of these are rather high in a diesel application as well.
 
I have run both ridged and flex bands. Both have their strong points. The main problem I have seen with ridged bands is that they don't always lay flat on the drum. In other words, one side of the band will grip the drum with more force then the other. This will reduce the holding force on the drum. The flex bands of course don't seem to be as strong. I have never had one break though...

Paul
 
I have always had a stock band and strut, never had an issue. The issues I've seen were on totally stock trucks.
 
Ive seen the stock bands break in half My trans has a 4.2 lever rigid band and reinforced lever had really good luck I went all out since I pull in 2nd I figured it was better to do it the first time
 
revolutiondsl said:
Ive seen the stock bands break in half My trans has a 4.2 lever rigid band and reinforced lever had really good luck I went all out since I pull in 2nd I figured it was better to do it the first time
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How long have you been pulling with the rigid band?
 
Ive got probably 10 hooks and 4 passes at the dragstrip I do all my own trans work
 
LReiff said:
How long have you been pulling with the rigid band?
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probably 12 hooks and 5 or 6 passes at the strip. I run a 13 flat everytime but call HTS the rigid band and 4.2 lever are Chrysler parts used in like taxi cabs and delivery vans Im not real sure what the 4.2 levers are used in
 
paulb said:
...The main problem I have seen with ridged bands is that they don't always lay flat on the drum. In other words, one side of the band will grip the drum with more force then the other. This will reduce the holding force on the drum...
Click to expand...

This is the exact reason why the seasoned high performance trans builders I know prefer to use USED rigid bands that are in good shape.

LReiff said:
I have always had a stock band and strut, never had an issue. The issues I've seen were on totally stock trucks.
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I've seen/heard of similar issues to what you're describing, however it seems that most of the ones I've dealt with have been on stock trannys that are behind non-stock motors. That seems to be the way people like to do things around here though.

Ultimately, I'd guess that it is probably due to parts of lesser quality.


revolutiondsl said:
...but call HTS the rigid band and 4.2 lever are Chrysler parts used in like taxi cabs and delivery vans Im not real sure what the 4.2 levers are used in
Click to expand...

There are plenty of places that can supply you with the 4.2 levers and rigid bands besides HTS, although I don't know how the prices compare.

I've got a virgin torqueflite out of a motorhome that I'm looking forward to disassembling. I'm hoping it has the good stuff in it so I don't have to buy it. We shall see.
 
mondtster said:
There are multiple things that cause the welds to break, but I don't think it is due to a faulty weld.

The way I see it is that you have a few options:

1. Take your risks running a stock style flex band.
2. Run a flex band that has been reinforced.
3. Run a rigid band.

I'm quite baffled as to why more people don't run the rigid bands. It is a fairly common thing to do in race trannys.

I would never run the stock support.
Click to expand...

I agree, I will not run anything but a rigid and billet support.
 
This was in a 100% stock trans and trucks, no mods. 98k miles.
Photo0380.jpg


Photo0384.jpg


Photo0382.jpg


Now it has a alto red rigid, billet strut and billet anchor.
 
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