I have shavings in my tranny pan. Help!

[253862656971]

My transmission has been leaking oil for some time so the other day I ran down to the store and bought a new filter and gasket for the tranny pan.  When I dropped the pan off I notice there are some small shavings in the bottom of the pan.  They are tiny slivers of what looks like brass.  The oil wasn't burnt and after shining a flashlight up in the housing I couldn't really see anything really screwed up so I put it all back together.

My question is should I be worried about the life of my transmission?  I really don't like the idea of shavings in the oil but is it normal to find? 

Oh yeah it's a 727 bolted to a 383.

[RD]

sounds like a thrust washer is going south on you.  they are found on your front planetary gearset, your sunshell, and your rear planetary gearset.  If there are a lot of shavings, its best to pull it apart now.  The thinner that washer gets, the more endplay your transmission input shaft has causing more movement front to back.  The more endplay, the easier those washers are able to wiggle loose or move on your planetary gearset causing the gearset to get structural damage.  When this happens, more material is released throughout your transmission and ultimately your tranny will fail.

I do not know how long it has been since you overhauled your tranny, but it could be a good time to check on it at least.

Here is a tip to keep those shavings out of your trans.  place 3 magnets in a triangular shape around where your filter will be on your steel pan.

[RD]

oh, and I do not know where you are geographically, but i overhaul them for $300.00, not to include shipping.

EDIT, forgot to add, but it could also be your input shaft bushing or sunshell bushing.  Both of those are made of brass.  I am sure there is another bushing somewhere, but I am tired and do not want to think about it.  It's been a long day.

How big are the shavings exactly? and how many of them are there?  got any pics?

[Sublime/Sixpack]

Not trying to be a wise a$$, but if the shavings are brass I don't think the magnets will have the desired effect.

[Todd Wilson]

Not trying to be a wise a$$, but if the shavings are brass I don't think the magnets will have the desired effect.

[RD]

Not trying to be a wise a$$, but if the shavings are brass I don't think the magnets will have the desired effect.

naah, you are right LOL, i thought about that after I posted but was too fricken lazy to worry about changing the post ( i already logged off, and I have dial-up).  So i said to myself, well, someone will correct me or the next time I log on, i will have to correct myself! LOL thanks, for the input

I place 3 magnets in all my pans because not all the metallic components in the transmission are brass

[TylerCharger69]

it's normal to have some really fine matter in the pan....usually most of it adheres to the magnet in the pan.  But from what you are describing, it may be a serious issue like everybody says.....a pic of the shavings in the pan would help so we can see exactly wassup

[John_Kunkel]

The problem is terminology, one man's "shaving" is another man's "glitter".

Silver and gold glitter that resembles the metallic in paint is normal wear particles and no cause for worry, anything that approaches the size of a grain of sand isn't normal wear.

[TylerCharger69]

Very well put.....I couldnt think of how to describe the different "types" of shavings

[253862656971]

Well I don't have a digi camera that works anymore so I don't have pics, sorry.

The shavings are not glitter like particles.  They are more like a splinter similar to what you would get in your hand after handling rough lumber.  There were not very many shavings just a few, so few I almost didn't notice them.  My guess is 10 or 12 splinter like pieces. 

[TylerCharger69]

Yeah...I'd tear that tranny down.....