Trans help needed ASAP CAT 3126, and\ Allison 545 automatic.

Cross posting for a friend. Hoping someone here Curtis etc has info on if the bands are adjustable ect. Thanks gang.

Long shot, but I'm hoping there are some heavy machinery mechanics on this list. Here goes:

It's a school bus. The engine is a CAT 3126, and the tranny is an Allison 545 automatic. The problem is that reverse gear stopped working. The symptom is this: you can shift it into reverse, but it won't move unless you rev the engine to red line, and even then it will barely creep. All the forward gears except 4th are working OK. So the key question is this: what is the likelihood that whatever caused the reverse gear to fail will also cause the forward gears to fail as well?

I know this question sounds a bit strange, so here is some background: the bus is currently in California. My son and some of his friends converted this thing into an RV and drove it to Cali from New England a few days ago. Their plan was to ride southern CA, northern AZ, and as many MX tracks as they can manage. So they are trying to decide whether or not to head back home right now, or to continue with their original plan.

This thread explains it in a little more detail: http://www.nedirtbikes.com/content/m_326820/mpage_1/key_trip/tm.htm#326820

I got a big Access Denied when I tried to go to that link.

Come home? Meh. Just cause the bus is having some shifting issues? Come on. Where's the spirit?

The bus and kids are in LA Calif, they live in Boston Mass.

I forgot you have to sign up for NEDB

are you sure its a 545 and not a 2500? the 3126 Thomas bus' I worked on were 2500 series Allison's,let me know and i'll see what I can dig up

Is is probably a MT545. They are a heavier version of Turbo 400 if that helps.

Lots of good info here as the wanderlodges had that same tranny. The only differences between AT's, and MT's and 500 series and 600 series was a lockup TC in some and the torque rating. http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

I must say though by the time the 3126 came along a lot of busses had a newer overdrive automatic. It was a MD World Series 5 or 6 speed. The 545 is just a 4 speed. It does seem a little old for that engine.

Thanks for the help so far gang. Anyone in the LA area got a place they can park it to work on it / swap it out?

Update. They found a friend of a friend who was not far from LA and he's looking at it now. They may still need help crossing the country on the way home.