charlie1 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 My 89 Riviera needs the transmission side case gasket replaced. The transmission has to be removed to replace it. My tech who I trust and is going to guarantee the work wants to replace it with a cork gasket. I have tried some of the places where I purchase parts Rock auto, Advanced, Autozone, NAPA and cannot find cork.Any suggestions would be appreciated.Any comments on cork! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 NAPA has one that is cork:A/Trsax Gasket, Side Cover - OuterProduct Line: NAPA Automatic Transmission PartsPart Number: ATP 18626Features & Benefits Duplicates Original Equipment In Fit & FunctionWarranty 12 Months or 12,000 Miles Whichever Occurs FirstApplication Information: 1989 Buick RivieraTransmission Types : General Motors 440T4/4T60 (ME9), 4 Speed, Automatic Transaxle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Long time ago I heard it can be done just by dropping the cradle a few inches - does anyone know ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDirk Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Padgett, that's what I thought too. Maybe the 89 is a bit different since it isn't a 4T60(E), I know I can do that one on my Caddy with just removing the drivers side wheel and housing, pull the CV axle and do the side case. By the looks the of gasket pictured, the 4T60E has a smaller side case. Maybe this is the difference. KDirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) Thanks!As info I checked the shop manual and it states it can be done without removing the transmission. I will let the tech make the decision.Any comments on using cork compared to a Felpro or OEM gasket. Edited March 26, 2011 by CHAS1 additional info (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mc_Reatta Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 There doesn't seem to be any clear winner on what type of gasket to use. Just seems to be personal preference based on prior experience. Problems are more from mating surfaces not being cleaned well, not being true, and over tightening of the screws than from the gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 My wife's Reatta was leaking from the same area. Two easy fixes cured the problem.You do have to pull the axle to get the side pan off.Hers was leaking from both the outer pan gasket being bad and it turns out the 6 or so bolts that go around where the axle comes through the pan were loose. I tightened them and that cured that leak.The outer gasket was bad so I loosened all the pan bolts, pulled the pan a little ways away from the transmission, added some form-a-gasket/gasket in a tube and retightened the bolts.No more leak and about a half hour time frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie1 Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) As A follow up. The tech. replaced the side cover gasket with the transmission still in the car on my 1989 Riviera. His choice was to go with the OEM gasket that appears to be a Cork composition material. Looks like about 7 hours labor. Edited April 13, 2011 by CHAS1 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mongeonman Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 What i would is to cut the gasket on the upper section so it can be install by just pulling the cover enough to scrape and put the new one in then put some gasket sealer where the cut is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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