Hello Mike,

I have a TH400 with what I was told is a Hipster Transbrake. I'm pretty new at working on transmissions other than removing the pan and changing the gasket and filter. Any way, the transbrake is leaking. The actual leak is coming from where the rod slides in and out (in between the two pieces).  It appears that it screws into the top of the transmission and the center piece slides out, away from the transmission. I'm only assuming that this is the coil with some sort of iron rod when energized it pulls the rod into the coil. It's a pretty small leak but over time makes a mess. I have tested the transbrake and it functions correctly. I hope that just a simple o-ring replacement will cure the problem, but I'm not sure. How do I remove it from the transmission? Can it be done without lowering the pan? I have looked for an exploded view to understand how it was put together but found nothing big enough that I could actually see how to take it apart. Please help!

Thank you,

Sean Kennedy
Oregon

Sean, with the TH400 solenoid, if it’s leaking through the solenoid it’s best to just replace it completely. They can be taken apart, however it’s not worth the trouble of making the special tooling, especially when a new solenoid is only $95.00 or so here at Mike’s. Just call us.

Mike
I have a trans fluid question. I have a powerglide - 460 BBC - 2100lb car, not trying to rotate the earth. Just rebuilt by another trans shop (sorry it was not you) - I was told to run standard type F. I know you have your own special fluid - Why would you recommend I run that over off the shelf stuff? Thanks.

Earl
Salt Lake City

Earl,

Would you put cheap oil; in your race motor? Well Type F is about as low as it gets. None of those expensive parts are getting the lube they need. In the early ‘90s, we started working on our own fluid, something that would have film strength and cling to the parts and take care of our transmissions. Soon after we started using it, we realized the cars were running two to four mph faster. The heavier fluid actually coupled the converter better. That said, for the most part our Mike’s Transmission Fluid (MTF) is meant to prolong your transmission’s life.

Thanks, Mike

Mike’s Transmission
Lancaster CA
(661) 723-0081
www.mikestransmission.com