A friend has a '95 Chevy 1500 w/4l60E. Complains of :
1. Red tranny fluid on the dipstick has small steel particles in it
2. No reverse
3. No second gear
4. No fourth gear

Does anyone know what causes symptoms like these? BTW, it is
his daily driver and he doesn't drive it hard.

 

Uhh, that would be the Reaction Sun Shell. GM had LOTS of problems with them. Starting in '01 or '02, GM started making shells that were thicker in the "trouble" area and needed a thrust bearing and a new Reaction Carrier Shaft to accomodate. Problem with that is, now, instead of shearing the bottom off, now its stripping out the splines. So starting in late '03, the "new" Reaction Shells will not only be thicker, but will have the bottom 50% heat treated. These parts will back service into earlier models, but the whole kit is needed. That "kit" will set you back about $250, or you can just get the next best thing, which is the SPX/Filtran "The Beast" sunshell. Its usually about $55.

 

I'm sure he'll be glad to get the good news!