Thought I would pass on my experience. I didn't see many post's referring to it.

Changed the fluid and the filter in the trans on Wednesday. Everything was fine then on Sunday shift from 1-2 got real lazy.
Didn't bang into second or anything but was terribly delayed(4000rpm before shifting).

I figured the filter fell out into the pan. Dropped the pan and 15$ worth of mercon V but the filter was in. Saw on some other site about the 1-2 accumulator so I pulled the snap ring and cap. Out dangled a chain. Well it wasn't a chain but the bottom spring had broken into 8 pieces and they were all tangled and dangling.

Bought a new plunger and bottom spring(it's pink) and cap and snap ring. Gave the bore some emery and wiped with detergent towel. Assembled and now we are new. At least until something else breaks or my driveway repair gives.

99 mountaineer with I think a late 98 trans. Anyway these things are bum and I recommend buying the bottom cap and spring and replacing it whenever you do the trans fluid change. May save yourself 2500 bucks. I was lucky. I'm sure there are many who weren't.

Peace

 

where did you get the parts from..the dealer? I have the same issue with my trans and I want to fix it myself...So to recap you dropped the pan and took out the 1-2 accumulator...were is that?
Do you have to remove the filter to see it?

 

I've been driving my '94 F150 5.0 with the same type problem-(I think) anyway....it did kind of "bang" into 2nd gear, I was told it was more that likely the LOWER 1-2 accumulator spring, that it was more than likely the trouble, and to replace the spring, and while I was in there to replace the piston with the "upgraded" version.....I went to a Ford dealer and got both piston, and spring for right around $20ish, dropped the pan, removed the filter-(its best to so you have room to work) removed the snap ring, lower cap, OLD spring-8pieces, and finally the piston, dipped the new piston and spring-(pink) in fresh mercon, and re-installed---that is all but the snap ring, that is until it went sailing across the lawn never to be seen again, today I got a replacement, and will try again tomorow.
BTW this is directly oposite of the hole/place the filter goes into, its fairly easy to get to, without disturbing the valve body or anything else.
Wonder what causes a rather tough looking spring to break into so many pieces ??? anyone know?? will the new spring, and updated piston lessen the possibility of this happening again??
Also, can anyone tell me a trick to getting the snap ring back in??-I've got the special snap ring pliers made by KD, with the changeable tips, got a small bottle jack holding the assembly up in the trans until I can get the ring in place. THANKS!!!

 

UPDATE: Got everything back together today, bought a cheaper set of snap ring pliers, plus used leather work gloves to aide in gripping.
No problem at all getting the snap ring back into its grove.
I went ahead and drained the torque converter while I went to get the new tool, came back and put everything back together, 12 quarts of fresh Mercon, took it for a test drive, and BOY, what a difference!!!!!! no more banging into second gear!!!! nice smooth shifts all the way through!!!
So, now that its fixed does anyone know what causes this failure in the first place?? I still wonder why they redesigned the piston??
and IF the new spring is any stronger??

 

Where is the drain plug for the torque converter?

is it easy to get to?

 

remove the black rubber plug from the bell housing.

the torque converter has a bolt in it (you only see it when it's rotated to that access hole)

should be easy to get at though.. Use a breaker bar with a socket on the crank pulley nut and turn it til you see the plug.

When I changed out fluids, I got lucky and the bolt was RIGHT dead on

 

To fill back again, do you just keep pouring Dextron through the dipstick until its full?

 

dont refill it all at once or you risk blowing seals at startup. Assuming you drain torque converter and pan, you'll need about 12 qts to refill (this is from experience with my 97 4r70w transmission--yours may have different capacity). At refill, pour in about 4 to 5 qtrs, run the engine 20 seconds and shut it off. Pour in another 5 qtrs, run engine 20 seconds. Let vehicle stand 10 minutes or so, start it back up and refill to proper level. You do not want to pour 12 qtrs in at one filling.

 

jeepman3--as a simple time saver i always measure the fluid i drain my pouring drained fluid into spare one gallon plastic containers. So when i get to the 3rd fill i know pretty close how much i need to add to replace what i drained. Takes a little extra time but way better than accidentally adding too much fluid.