CRUCIAL DIRECTIONS FOR 5-pinion planet upgrade

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OK, here are the GM part numbers needed to install the latest style 5-pinion fro
nt planet. I believe this will fit any 1995 to 2007+ 4L60E.
24241248 5-pinion front planet carrier
24241255 Reaction Carrier shaft
24217328 Torrington bearing underneath the Reaction Carrier Shaft
(and on top of the sun shell).
24236092 Torrington thrust bearing underneath the planet carrier
(and on top of the Reaction Carrier)
Looking through the dealer's part numbers for different years, it appears this R
eaction Carrier shaft came out in 2008. Therefore a 2008 or later 4L60E will onl
y need the 5-pinion planet carrier; the other parts will already be there.
The confusion/trouble occurs because there are THREE (and not just two) variatio
ns of the Reaction Carrier shaft. The ATSG Update manual shows that the "New Sty
le" carrier with the torrington bearing came out around 2002. But then another s
tyle came out in 2008:
Measurement of the diameter of the planet's bearing recess. It is 2.618" in the
first two styles and then 2.512" in the 2008+ style.
I confirmed today that 2008 and later 4-pinion and 5-pinion front planets DO NOT
retrofit into older transmissions unless you also update to the newest style Re
action Carrier and matching bearings. GM made a change to the bearing area of th
e front planet somewhere around 2008 so that pre and post 2008 planets cannot be
interchanged.
The smaller diameter bearing is NOT flat, the new style has a lip; I am referrin
g to the near-black color bearing between the carrier and the planet.
The silver part goes into the reaction carrier shaft and fits perfectly. The lip
ped black surfaces faces the planetary.
Note that the larger diameter bearing also has a lip. The lip side fits into the
reaction carrier and the flat side goes on the sunshell.
I think using this combo with The Beast should be fine
The beast should be a direct replacement and work with either the bushing or was
her style reaction shaft and should not change end play at all. ALWAYS check it
though its very good practice...
If you are considering doing a trans build, do the 5 pinion swap.