I'm in the process of rebuilding my 99 80E and started with the rear assembly. I have a couple questions.

First is regarding part 659, the output carrier thrust washer that goes between the reaction carrier assembly and the output carrier assembly. My rebuild kit came with a black one (instead of off-white) that is slightly wider. The rebuild kit also came with two bronze output shaft thrust washers that also fit in place of the output carrier thrust washer. Should I go ahead and use the black one, or would the bronze one be a better solution? I am rollerizing the output shaft if that matters. I have around 0.007" end play.

Second question is that the ATSG manual shows part 645 reaction drum spacer ring, looks like a big snap ring in the pictures. But I don't see one in my trans. In the GM Powertrain 4L80E manual it does not show this part. Does my year trans not have this part?

Top row: Stock and new plastic output carrier thrust washer
Bottom row: Stock and new bronze output shaft thrust washers
Thicknesses are written on them in thousandths





Stock output carrier thrust washer:


Stock output shaft thrust washer:

 

The company I ordered the kit from, who also builds transmissions, said to use the black plastic thrust washer over the bronze one because it will take the load better. I found a picture on Jake's site where he used the bronze thrust washer. If I understand correctly, under hard acceleration this thrust washer isn't loaded, but it will be under engine braking? Anyone care to comment? Anyone care to comment?

And from what little info I found it sounds like part 645 reaction drum spacer ring was eliminated in later models and they went with a low roller clutch that has little "feet" to get the spacing correct. Sound right?

 

I will use the black plastic washer in this location. I like to take the slop out of the gear train and this works well if you have an over sized 200-4R washer. The ring in the planet has been removed and in most cases if it is there I will ditch it. The ring was there to help quiet up gear noise IIRC. Sorry for the late reply. HTH Vince

 

Thanks for the reply Vince. I went ahead and used the black plastic thrust washer.

As for the reaction drum spacer ring, some research suggests that they removed it in later models and put little "legs" on the low roller clutch to space it away from the reaction carrier.