EATON FULLER REBUILD, Rebuild, Replace, or Overhaul?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by JR28262, Feb 2, 2019.

  1. JR28262

    JR28262 Light Load Member

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    So i just bought a truck with 1.4 mil on it, the engine is overhauled but i have no info on the Trans. Its a 13 speed Eaton Fuller.
    Is there a such thing as an overhaul for a trans and be good for awhile or is it just a rebuild?
    What should i do to make the Trans last longer or do i need to rebuild it?
    The trans as of right now has nothing wrong with it i drove it 1600 miles and parked it waiting on the company to lease on to.
    But just in case what can i do?
    Rebuild, Replace, or Overhaul
    And how much for each do you think?
    Thanks in advance guys be safe out there.
     
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  3. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    I would swap plugs and see if there's any pieces of metal on the magnetic plug.

    Drain the oil out and change it if it looks dirty. With that many miles somewhere along the line they probably put another Transmission in. You might look at that oil and it might be nice and clean.

    To make it last? Be gentle with your clutch pull out in a nice low gear. Keep watching it and make sure you don't spring any oil leaks. Be gentle when you shift and don't grind gears. Pay attention if you hear or feel anything unusual get right on it right away. Other than that enjoy it.

    When and if you need a transmission you could buy a remanufactured transmission or buy one from a junkyard or private person if you like. They do sell overhaul kits but most people don't overhaul their own Transmissions.
     
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  4. JR28262

    JR28262 Light Load Member

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    How much is a reman and/or a used one?
    BTW i changed the oil on the way home after buying the truck and shop said it looked like 3day old coffee and the plug had metal shavings on it. I put synth oil how long does that last?
     
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  5. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

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    When my 10 speed Eaton Fuller went out the door it was replaced with a Weller rebuilt installed for $6,200
     
  6. I glide 47

    I glide 47 Road Train Member

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    Synthetic oil last 250000 plus
     
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  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Did you do an oil analysis on the trans and drives?

    This would have told you a lot of info on when to rebuild.

    Just have a reman put in.
     
  8. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    If it feels like it's shifting properly and not jumping out of gear and making noise or clunking around or any of that nonsense, I would use it. BUT, be ready with the money to replace it because when you need to do it you'll have to do it quickly. If you really travel long distances maybe you want to do it sooner rather than later, or try to stay closer to home until you can really feel it out. That would be an expensive repair if you were in the middle of nowhere.

    I would try different shops because especially the price for installation can vary.

    They probably will need to use your bellhousing so make sure they check the cross shafts and bushings and release yoke in addition to a new clutch set resurfacing the flywheel a new pilot bearing and a rear main seal.
     
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  9. Tombstone69

    Tombstone69 Road Train Member

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    If it has1.4mil on it, I would be surprised if it hasn't been replaced already.Look at it,if it's in primer it's more than likely been rebuilt or replaced, if it hasn't then it's been taken care of.If it's shifting fine(no abnormal grinding or vibration)it's probably fine.When you pull your first load,same thing, especially in the higher gears that is where the most strain is.Most drivers don't rebuild their own trannys.It's a lot easier to pull the box out and replace it with another and rebuilders always want the old one for a core.In and out that's the ticket.I would definitely pull the plug, filler plug is the large one,should be on the right side.look for any kind of metal stuck to it.Also smell the gear oil if it's black and smells like burnt onions,NG.The drain plug on the bottom is the one usually has a magnet on it, just be ready to stick your finger in the hole(that's rude)to keep the oil from running out.Any kind of large metal NG.If your going to change it make sure you have at least a. 3 gallon pail, 5 is better.Just a few thoughts, good luck.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2019
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  10. JR28262

    JR28262 Light Load Member

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    So besides the paint of the case is there any other way to tell if it's been replaced?
    And does the transmission have a Fluid filter or not?
     
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  11. Tombstone69

    Tombstone69 Road Train Member

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    You can look at the tag, most repuitable rebuilders put there own tags on them or mark them in some way.Even scrap yards use permanent ink or crayons to mark their used trans.As far as filters go I don't know of any 13spd Eatons with filters, but I haven't done any large tranny work since the last millennium. My truck has a super10 w/an outside filter and an oil cooler but it has a pump on it.I've rebuilt 13s in the late 80s and they are very tough transmissions. Usually the main things that go wrong with them are input shafts and shift mechanisms.Is your trans doing anything you think isnt normal?
     
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