I am impressed, as usual. Not flabbergasted, as those who do not know your work, may be. I am becoming used to your eye for perfection, and inventiveness. Kudos again amigo, keep the photos coming...

Baja

 

Thanks, Russell.

Rebuilding an automatic is definitely one area you want to pay close attention to what you're doing. --err, so I've heard. I've never rebuilt an automatic before, let alone an electronically-shifted 4-spd overdrive.

I still have several items left to buy for the transmission and this isn't going to be a quick rebuild process. I'll take my time and buy the remaining parts as finances allow.

This will either end in failure or, it'll be a success story ....time will tell.

 

Teardown process begins with unplugging the wiring harness from the various sensors/connectors.



This connector (right rear side of trans case, above the pan) is of particular importance, in identification, if you're looking to run a 4R70W.



If this bulkhead connector sticking out of the case (NOT in reference to the wiring connector that plugs into it) is black, it's the more disirable '98-'04 version of this transmission. If the bulkhead connector sticking out of the case is white, it's the less desirable '93-'97 version.



All sensors need to be removed from the outside of the case, before the internals are removed. It's particularly important that this output shaft speed sensor (in front of the VSS [Vehicle Speed Sensor]) is removed BEFORE taking the internals out. If it isnt, the output shaft assembly will shear off the end of output shaft speed sensor, as the output shaft assembly is removed.



You'll also notice a large "W" cast onto the side of the tail housing (in photo above). Of the AOD, AODE and 4R70W transmissions, the 4R70W is the only transmission that has this designation. It indicates a (much better) Wide Ratio gear set than the AOD and AODE transmissions.

1st through overdrive ratios for AOD & AODE are: 2.40, 1.47, 1.00 & .67:1.
Ratios for 4R70W are: 2.84, 1.55, 1.00 & .70:1.

So far, no obvious, unpleasant surprises.

 

Rooster comb, solenoids, valve body and all the servos ready to come out. I had already removed the flat, black hard wire circuit from the solenoids before taking this picture.



Everything (except one part of a servo) removed from the pan/valve body side of the transmission.



First pile of parts on the work bench.



Now, the front pump can be removed and the internals can come out.....

 

This transmission really doesn't require a lot of specialized tools to disassemble/reassemble it. However, I did find quite a few Ford service department tools for sale (mostly cheap) on ebay. I figured having the tools would make my chances greater, in the end, that I did this right.

Rotunda, Ford service department AOD tools. They also work on a 4R70W transmission.





There are a pair of pump adapters in this Rotunda transmission tool set that are screwed into the pump. A slide hammer can then be screwed into the adapters and unseat the pump, to pull the pump out.



A few moderate bumps on each side with the slide hammer and the pump comes right out.





The transmission is completely torn up now. ....I mean torn down.





I have to go through the clutch drums to check for burned steels and friction discs, which would indicate other problems but, so far, everything looks good and no obvious damage on anything. --looks like it was $138.00 dollars well spent (that's what I paid for the entire transmission from U-Pull-It).

 

[/QUOTE]
Hey, those look like mine. Only it was me that bonded on the wood veneer. Stained and poly'd.

 

....note to self: until the razor sharp edges of the transmission case can be filed off and sanded smooth, DON'T handle the bare case without leather gloves on!

 

That looks like it will make typing, difficult, & a bit painful. Also, that looks to be "Ranger Red", on the end of your finger, not Ford Blue...

Must be providence, or fate, or somebody watching over me, as yesterday I was putting some diamond plate aluminum, on the tailgate I had made in March, and while wearing gloves, I did not cut myself.. Luck, or fate, either way, no purple heart for me on this project... yet...

Baja

 

Hey Steve, I want to mention Vaseline. I remember decades ago when I was working the back counter at Earnhardt Ford we had a A/T tranny mechanic who used Vaseline for something. He swore by it but never told me where he used it. I can only assume on the I.D. of the case, servo seals, and ?. Of course this was back in the day of FMX,C4,and C6.

 

I had already filed and sanded (with 180-grit Emery cloth) a lot of the sharp edges off the case, --just not in the particular area that got me! --it's sanded smooth now.

I had taken the bare case to the car wash and was washing it off, inside and out. I had it standing vertically on the bell housing. I went to tip the case over and set it down flat when it slipped out of my hand and simultaneously took a chunk out of my left index finger, immediately causing me to bleed like a stuck hog.

I guess the good news is I'm right handed but, you don't realize how much you use your index fingers, until you get a nasty injury on one of them.

That diamond plate ought to keep the tailgate from getting scratched and dinged up.

 

The AOD, AODE and the 4R70Ws roots are based off the Ravigneaux plantary design from the old FMX transmission.

I'm guessing the mechanic you mention would have used the Vaseline to lube the seals to keep them from tearing when installing the components or, maybe he packed the front pump with it to get the transmission pump to prime, the first time the engine was started(?).

I'll use two things to lube the various seals, bearings and components with; good ol' Mercon-V or Trans Gel --just depending on what the component is as to what it will get coated with during reassembly.

 

This is the area that inflicked the wound --at the back end of the case, near the breather. All the shiny areas are where the case was razor sharp and I ground off the sharp areas with a carbide burr in my die grinder.







I chamfered the bolt holes with a counter sink bit.

 

Thanks Steve. It's refreshing to see a Tech leave the tag on something......

 

Steve buddy, how's the finger? Hope its healing fine, and not causing problems. I know that when I cut something, its always in a location, that I use all the time, so am reminded often, of what I did wrong.

BTW, nice job you are doing on that tranny.. you really know your stuff. Oh, that diamond plate tail gate, is one I had to make, with 1.25" sq. steel tubing, cuz, mine got stolen from the paint shop.. go figure.. I only have the diamond plate skin on one side so far.. Next week, when the wind blows and I am not fishing, I will try to put on the other side...

Best of luck keeping all you skin on..

Baja

 

Finger's a little sensitive but, it's recovering. It's slowed me down a little but, I did get the sharp edges smoothed out on the transmission case and I got the umpteen dozen threaded holes chased out on it.



Currently, my knowledge of this transmission is mostly just 'book smarts' --knowledge just from what I've read and studied about it, since I've never rebuilt an automatic transmission before.

I have little, practical, hands-on experience with it. Little-by-little though, the book smarts are also becoming actual, practical, experience with it too.