A4LD Transmission Question
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From: Orland USA
A4LD Transmission Question
OK.... I see that there is lot of info about these Trans breaking down & about getting them rebuilt. But what I don't see is anybody telling what part/parts it was that was Bad.
I just bought a 89 Aerostar (My 2nd) for $700.00
The Body is straight the motor runs excellent But......
The previous owner was driving it when he pressed on the gas to go around someone turning right, He said it down-shifted then nothing.
He coasted over to the side of the road and put in all gears and nothing. No foreward nor reverse. There is now a whirling in the trans when I shut off the Motor.
Now after talking to two rebuild shops the 1st one said it was the Center Support.
The 2nd one who was a lot more knowledgeable said it is the Sprag. That it turned over on it's self. Said it was about a $40.00 part.
Jay
I just bought a 89 Aerostar (My 2nd) for $700.00
The Body is straight the motor runs excellent But......
The previous owner was driving it when he pressed on the gas to go around someone turning right, He said it down-shifted then nothing.
He coasted over to the side of the road and put in all gears and nothing. No foreward nor reverse. There is now a whirling in the trans when I shut off the Motor.
Now after talking to two rebuild shops the 1st one said it was the Center Support.
The 2nd one who was a lot more knowledgeable said it is the Sprag. That it turned over on it's self. Said it was about a $40.00 part.
Jay
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From: Graham
A4LD Transmission Question
Well, that seems like a bad problem. I opened up the old A4LD book from ATSG and went to the section "No engagement or drive in forward (any position) or reverse.
They suggest the following things to check.
1. Improper fluid level (perform fluid level check)
2. Low main control pressure (do a control pressure check)
3. Mechanical Damage (Check splines on turbine, input shaft and O/D carrier, O/D one-way clutch, center shaft, forward clutch, forward carrier and output shaft. Replace if necessary.)
So you can see that there are lots of items inside this under-strengthed gearbox that can let go.
IF you want to do it yourself (some do) buy a good manual. Buy a good inch-pound torque wrench and prepare to engineer an occasional "special" tool. On the other hand, finding a decent used one can be a challange...
Mario Perez
67 F250 2WD Camper Special 5.8FE
84 Bronco XLT 5.8HO
88 Aerostar XL 3.0
They suggest the following things to check.
1. Improper fluid level (perform fluid level check)
2. Low main control pressure (do a control pressure check)
3. Mechanical Damage (Check splines on turbine, input shaft and O/D carrier, O/D one-way clutch, center shaft, forward clutch, forward carrier and output shaft. Replace if necessary.)
So you can see that there are lots of items inside this under-strengthed gearbox that can let go.
IF you want to do it yourself (some do) buy a good manual. Buy a good inch-pound torque wrench and prepare to engineer an occasional "special" tool. On the other hand, finding a decent used one can be a challange...
Mario Perez
67 F250 2WD Camper Special 5.8FE
84 Bronco XLT 5.8HO
88 Aerostar XL 3.0
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
A4LD Transmission Question
Get the ATSG book from http://www.atsgmiami.com/ and perhaps the 'updates' book that lists all improved parts that will fit... and crossover parts. Or goto jcwhitney.com, they have them too
Get a good kit locally. The OD stuff is weak, the input shaft will turn its splines and the input plate will get grooved. Weld the plate and have it ground smooth. The OD sprag will go. Replace them and you should get another 150k behind a 3.0 or 200+ behind the 2.3 (who'd want it? That beast is HEAVY.) Center support CAN get grooved as can the governor output sleeve in the trans case.
Odds are you have a spun input shaft. My free for nothing guess.
tom
Get a good kit locally. The OD stuff is weak, the input shaft will turn its splines and the input plate will get grooved. Weld the plate and have it ground smooth. The OD sprag will go. Replace them and you should get another 150k behind a 3.0 or 200+ behind the 2.3 (who'd want it? That beast is HEAVY.) Center support CAN get grooved as can the governor output sleeve in the trans case.
Odds are you have a spun input shaft. My free for nothing guess.
tom
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From: Orland USA
A4LD Transmission Question
I guess I didn't make the message clear. What I was hoping for was what was the cause of the breakdowns of others Transmissions. What parts exactly were the cause & which were replaced.
There has to be a part or two that is common in all the breakdowns.
If I rebuild I would like to make sure and replace them in my trans.
There has to be a part or two that is common in all the breakdowns.
If I rebuild I would like to make sure and replace them in my trans.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
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From: suburban atlanta
A4LD Transmission Question
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Aug-02 AT 08:03 AM (EST)]Re-use the case and any non-broken hard parts.
There is no *one* common part to break in all trans failures. I tried to point out the weaker spots that cause *most* problems. If you take it apart, you will see what is broken, except for sprag clutches, as the only way you will 'see' sprags as defective is if the sprags are falling out of the retainer, even if they are worn out. If you can take the parts to a trans shop, many times they will look at your parts and make suggestions as to a proper course of action.
I'm done.
tom
There is no *one* common part to break in all trans failures. I tried to point out the weaker spots that cause *most* problems. If you take it apart, you will see what is broken, except for sprag clutches, as the only way you will 'see' sprags as defective is if the sprags are falling out of the retainer, even if they are worn out. If you can take the parts to a trans shop, many times they will look at your parts and make suggestions as to a proper course of action.
I'm done.
tom
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A4LD Transmission Question
I have been building these transmissions for a long time now since I work at a dealer. Here are the most commons problems with these trans-
no reverse or shudders in reverse- center support seals
doesn't move at all and /or "whirring" noise- frt planetary or torque converter stripped.
Engine stalls immediately when put into gear- torque converter spring broken in valve body
Now, I realize that there are a lot more things that CAN go wrong with these trans, but these are the most common things I have dealt with over the years.
As far as overhauls are concerned, any COMPETENT shop should be able to do it. There is no magic involved in building an A4LD or even it later electronic versions. Just has to be cleaned,properly inspected,
and reassembled with all clearances adjusted to the "tight" side of the spec. This along with proper care and maintenance will last a long time. Just my .02 worth. Later, Rick
no reverse or shudders in reverse- center support seals
doesn't move at all and /or "whirring" noise- frt planetary or torque converter stripped.
Engine stalls immediately when put into gear- torque converter spring broken in valve body
Now, I realize that there are a lot more things that CAN go wrong with these trans, but these are the most common things I have dealt with over the years.
As far as overhauls are concerned, any COMPETENT shop should be able to do it. There is no magic involved in building an A4LD or even it later electronic versions. Just has to be cleaned,properly inspected,
and reassembled with all clearances adjusted to the "tight" side of the spec. This along with proper care and maintenance will last a long time. Just my .02 worth. Later, Rick
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From: Orland USA
A4LD Transmission Question
Rick:
I plan on doing it myself. I rebuilt my C4 out of my 68 Mustang but they are a lot less to worry about.
Now on the A4LD
1st I did the Pressure Checks and they seemed to pass the tests so
I have taken it apart (If I have it out I might as well rebuild it).
I see nothing stripped. All splines show no wear.
The book I have says that the overdrive one way clutch(Sprag)& Planetary assembly should spin one way and not the other(it is working right).
Now I have called 2 shops and one said it is the center support that went bad and caused the trouble. The second said that the Sprag turned over on itself.
So what I really need to find out is what part/parts will affect all forward and reverse gears.
It looks like the torque converter or the front pump to start with.
Oh also in the oil pan all I could see was a few Copper flakes which should be normal because all the thrust washers are copper/copper coated.
I plan on doing it myself. I rebuilt my C4 out of my 68 Mustang but they are a lot less to worry about.
Now on the A4LD
1st I did the Pressure Checks and they seemed to pass the tests so
I have taken it apart (If I have it out I might as well rebuild it).
I see nothing stripped. All splines show no wear.
The book I have says that the overdrive one way clutch(Sprag)& Planetary assembly should spin one way and not the other(it is working right).
Now I have called 2 shops and one said it is the center support that went bad and caused the trouble. The second said that the Sprag turned over on itself.
So what I really need to find out is what part/parts will affect all forward and reverse gears.
It looks like the torque converter or the front pump to start with.
Oh also in the oil pan all I could see was a few Copper flakes which should be normal because all the thrust washers are copper/copper coated.
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A4LD Transmission Question
If the one way clutches are holding/freewheeling in the proper directions, they are ok. Take the pump apart and look at the small gear . is it broken? Take the input shaft and stick into the converter and twist. my guess it's stripped. Later, Rick
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The Modulator has a small adjustment screw that if the tranny shifts at high revs you can adjust this screw to make it shift at lower RPM.
I think it's an allen screw, you may wanna try this as a last resort.
But first check that little vaccuum hose connected to the modulator. It will cause hard shifting if the hose is damaged..
I think it's an allen screw, you may wanna try this as a last resort.
But first check that little vaccuum hose connected to the modulator. It will cause hard shifting if the hose is damaged..
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Hello
I have a 1989 ford ranger with a a4dl that goes into reverse but will not engage into any of the front gears. My father in law had it rebuilt two times but hes gone now. and my son dosnt want to get rid of it. so I,ve checked the fluid. I was wondering where to look next.
thank you Jeffrey d.
I have a 1989 ford ranger with a a4dl that goes into reverse but will not engage into any of the front gears. My father in law had it rebuilt two times but hes gone now. and my son dosnt want to get rid of it. so I,ve checked the fluid. I was wondering where to look next.
thank you Jeffrey d.
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