Rocks? can't think of a thing other than old debris in your drain pan but you make that sound unlikely.
As far as metal....other than gears themselves and clutches and plates obviously we are dealing with a lot of aluminum.
Any trans shears metal bits over mileage but to answer your question the most likely source is aluminum sheared from the front pump area...the rotor rides in a machined area of the case and likely has been there since break in.
Some debris is anticipated and the pump inlet side has a rather large, life of car, filter for this purpose......keeps debris out of the finely machined passages in the valve body.
I wonder if the debris that looks like tiny stones is debris from the soldering process used to make the trans cooler.....but again, the filter prevents it from going anywhere.
Years ago, trans fluid color as well as odor was a way to judge trans health but with the new formulations out there, ie: Dexron 111, 1V, V, V1, fluid color, generally doesn't apply.
The fluid manufacturers indicate the fluid will get rather dark over the miles and the primary indicator of a problem with late model trans condition is limited to odor alone.....you indicate there was no abnormal odor so I'm inclined to believe you are seeing the normal discoloration the producers refer to.
Based on your post, findings and results, I'm of the belief all is well.
Rob
As far as metal....other than gears themselves and clutches and plates obviously we are dealing with a lot of aluminum.
Any trans shears metal bits over mileage but to answer your question the most likely source is aluminum sheared from the front pump area...the rotor rides in a machined area of the case and likely has been there since break in.
Some debris is anticipated and the pump inlet side has a rather large, life of car, filter for this purpose......keeps debris out of the finely machined passages in the valve body.
I wonder if the debris that looks like tiny stones is debris from the soldering process used to make the trans cooler.....but again, the filter prevents it from going anywhere.
Years ago, trans fluid color as well as odor was a way to judge trans health but with the new formulations out there, ie: Dexron 111, 1V, V, V1, fluid color, generally doesn't apply.
The fluid manufacturers indicate the fluid will get rather dark over the miles and the primary indicator of a problem with late model trans condition is limited to odor alone.....you indicate there was no abnormal odor so I'm inclined to believe you are seeing the normal discoloration the producers refer to.
Based on your post, findings and results, I'm of the belief all is well.
Rob