Dropped the pan on the transmission in my 93 W250, no huge amount of deposits noted but the magnet at the bottom of the pan is loaded with small particles that kinda look fuzzy once disturbed. Yeah, I know it's because the particles are so small and obviously magnetically permeable, I'm just unsure if the amount is normal or not. The truck has ~ 120K on it, lots of use with a snowplow, so mild abuse at least; to my knowledge the trans has not been opened up before but don't know for sure. Trans is a 42RH/A518. Dropped the pan for a look-see since it's been whining very loudly and getting worse - sounded exactly like a hydraulic pump with no fluid to pump, so I was thinking possible clogged filter. Filter doesn't look great, but not as bad as I was expecting.
Thanks,
Mike

I'd say that looks good/normal for the mileage and condition you describe. Wear on the steels is normal- it's chunks/chips of metal you don't want to see.

There were a couple small chunks in the pan, didn't think to check them for being magnetic or not, may have to do so, but it was only 2 or maybe 3 small pieces I saw.
Mike

If it has a whine i would think somethings coming apart.

Yeah, I'm married.......... good thing she doesn't read this board.
But, this truck is for working with that snowplow, so she doesn't get in it too often.
Nice idea though.

Sorry I can't offer real help, don't run any automatics myself. Did you try a Google search?I've had fair luck with similar problems.

Yeah, actually I did get the joke and a good laugh when I read it. I was kinda trying to keep it playing by pointing out it's a work truck so she doesn't ride in it... Truth is, I had to share your response and my reply with her since I knew she'd find it funny also, was good for another round of laughs. (Took two tries to get a good one, but I'm gonna keep this one.)
Mike

And I was gonna say if you've got a whiney tranny in your truck maybe you should try a different dating website...obscure, in poor taste, but I couldn't help myself!

Do the bands ( if any adjustments on them...), change the fluid and filter and you should be good to go. Just make sure you put the correct fluid in it as Mopar got real picky about which fluid to use. I had plenty of Chrysler automatics whine a little when either low on fluid or needing a band adjustment. That little bit of wear you see with the magnet is nothing - don't sweat it at all. Just did a 32RH in a 96 van that would whine and slip a little when starting off on a hill. Band adjustment fixed it.

The page below (when it loads...) may have the specs you need...
http://arrc.epnet.com/autoapp/9107/9107CH07_ADJUSTMENTS.htm

90% of the time a trans whine its because the filter is restricted. Some dont even look that dirty but I find the filter is it most of the time. I have also had clogged coolers cause this. The whine is from the pump trying to suck the fluid in or pump it thru the cooler and converter. Once I had a pump cause a whine also. Ron

whine can be caused by a few things,a bad torque converter,a bad pump,low on fluid, and If its when its moving it could be the plantaries.If the filter is pluged its because theres something coming apart.And thats alot of materal from something.Post pics of the magnet,it will be real easy to tell if the trans needs a rebuild.

With the milage you have on it thats normal. Of course you will have clutch material from the converter clutch and the tranny clutches in the filter that you cant really see from normal wear at 120k. I have seen this many times before. Change the filter and fluid and get another 30k out of it. I see tranny's look like that at 30k with just tiny particals that are normal. As long as its no bigger pieces then I would service it with a filter and let it go. Ron

Yeah, think I'm just gonna set the bands as long as it's apart, clean it all up and bolt it back up. We'll see what happens next........ Oh, here's a shot of the filter, of course it's still draining, makes for a bit of a gradient look to the media.
Mike

that's what I'd do, ch filter/fluid/adj bands/clean pan. Holler how it turns out. Filter looks bad, hope that takes care of it.

Well, finally back together with new filter and bands adjusted per the FSM and took it to work today. It's still got a little bit of a whine on acceleration which is louder when it's cold, (was ~ 9 degrees when I left this AM), but quiets some after getting to operating temperature. Barely noticeable at steady cruising, so that's a significant improvement. It also seems to shift a bit smoother, so overall I'd say it was worth the effort.
Thanks for the input, all.
Mike

Just for gits-n-shiggles, this is the rig I've been cussing the most lately.....