A4LD - reverse servo spring?

SHIGRAs · 08-07-2012, 11:31 PM

I am rebuilding an 87 Bronco II A4LD as my first rebuild in 30 years. Wow, lots of parts and nothing like the ones I used t rebuild back then. I am almost finished but as I was preparing to install the reverse servo piston I ccccould not fin a spring for thew servo. I honestly do not remember there being one in it. Is it possible that it would not have had one? I do not see any marks on the piston nor the bore that would indicate there was one. Can anybody with alot more experience give me an answer as to whether it would operate like that?

**RangerX** · 08-08-2012, 02:06 AM

I'm no help with your question, but I did move your post into the transmission forum, hopefully someone will see it and help.

*PopRichie77* · 08-08-2012, 05:43 AM

Don't know if you have a manual but the manual shows a spring. Is it needed, can't say. All A4LD's had a spring as far as I know.

JK080 · 08-08-2012, 09:19 AM

Its common practice to leave the spring out. Someone might have already built the tranny before and they removed it.

**BrooklynBay** · 08-08-2012, 09:31 AM

Welcome to this forum! All of the A4LD transmissions have a spring. You could get a spring from EBay or WWW.Wittrans.Com.

SHIGRAs · 08-08-2012, 10:12 PM

Thanks or the responses. I was wondering if I had lost it. I know the manual showed it. I went by a local tranny shop today and spoke with a guy with 37 years experience. He did say the it probably did not have one in it. Since the tranny is famous for slow reverse shift someone probably did leave it out in a past overhaul. He also mentioned that some guys do leave out the check ball as well. In any case his advise was to not put one in. So here goes we shall see how it goes.
Thanks again.

greasemanicure · 01-07-2013, 08:39 PM

Is it the same with the 4R44 and 5R55 cases? The original in our 96EX had a spring in the low/reverse servo but the replacement I bought does not have one. Found this out while pulling the VB to replace it with a rebuilt. Is there any harm or difference anyone noticed with or without a spring?

Thanks for your input.

Joe

**BrooklynBay** · 01-07-2013, 08:50 PM

The later models didn't have a spring.

greasemanicure · 01-07-2013, 11:19 PM

Thanks! I noticed that I can see the application point on the reverse band through the servo bore. I take that as good news. About how much resistance should I feel applying pressure to the reverse band compared to the other two bands given that there is no adjustability to that band? Is the resistance that can be felt an indication of the health of the reverse band?

Thanks again!

Joe

**BrooklynBay** · 01-08-2013, 09:20 AM

It should feel like a spring. The band will snap back after you push on it.

greasemanicure · 01-08-2013, 10:17 PM

Thanks, BB! That is exactly what it feels like.

I will get delivery of a new reverse/low servo, rings and gasket in a few days. The shaft on the servo has a little surface wear and a bit of light scorching near the tip. The new VB is already here. Tranny is drippng, dripping, dripping. VB goes in tomorrow afternoon with the finishing touches when the servo is delivered. News later this week.

Joe
p.s. I still have the original tranny that I replaced some 120,000 miles ago with one from a salvage yard. I made a jig out of "found parts" to hold the tranny to my work bench and allow me to rotate it during a tear down/rebuild. That one lost reverse and it seems like the reverse band broke as the apply end is no where near the servo port. I look forward to the adventure of seeing what looks good, bad and ugly on my way down to the reverse band.
Joe

**BrooklynBay** · 01-09-2013, 08:37 AM

I recommend the TransTec Viton D ring kit instead of using ordinary O rings since it makes a tighter seal.

08-07-2012, 11:31 PM	#1
SHIGRAs Wannabe Elite Explorer lexington, sc Bronco II 87 Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	A4LD - reverse servo spring? I am rebuilding an 87 Bronco II A4LD as my first rebuild in 30 years. Wow, lots of parts and nothing like the ones I used t rebuild back then. I am almost finished but as I was preparing to install the reverse servo piston I ccccould not fin a spring for thew servo. I honestly do not remember there being one in it. Is it possible that it would not have had one? I do not see any marks on the piston nor the bore that would indicate there was one. Can anybody with alot more experience give me an answer as to whether it would operate like that?

08-08-2012, 02:06 AM	#2
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Omao, Kauai '93 Ranger XLT 4X4 Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 7,191 Vehicle Specs	I'm no help with your question, but I did move your post into the transmission forum, hopefully someone will see it and help. __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 "Beauty is only sheet metal deep."

08-08-2012, 09:19 AM	#4
JK080 Wannabe Elite Explorer North Ga Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 115 Vehicle Specs	Its common practice to leave the spring out. Someone might have already built the tranny before and they removed it. __________________ Master Certified Transmission Rebuilder of 25 years of all Makes and Models Transmission Shop Owner and Operator

08-08-2012, 09:31 AM	#5
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,679 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! All of the A4LD transmissions have a spring. You could get a spring from EBay or WWW.Wittrans.Com. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

01-07-2013, 08:50 PM	#8
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,679 Vehicle Specs	The later models didn't have a spring. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

08-08-2012, 05:43 AM	#3
PopRichie77 Elite Explorer Quakertown, PA 1999 Explorer XLT 4X4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 967 Vehicle Specs	Don't know if you have a manual but the manual shows a spring. Is it needed, can't say. All A4LD's had a spring as far as I know.

08-08-2012, 10:12 PM	#6
SHIGRAs Wannabe Elite Explorer lexington, sc Bronco II 87 Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks or the responses. I was wondering if I had lost it. I know the manual showed it. I went by a local tranny shop today and spoke with a guy with 37 years experience. He did say the it probably did not have one in it. Since the tranny is famous for slow reverse shift someone probably did leave it out in a past overhaul. He also mentioned that some guys do leave out the check ball as well. In any case his advise was to not put one in. So here goes we shall see how it goes. Thanks again.

01-07-2013, 08:39 PM	#7
greasemanicure Wannabe Elite Explorer Burlington, NC 1996 4X4 4R->5R mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 159 Vehicle Specs	Is it the same with the 4R44 and 5R55 cases? The original in our 96EX had a spring in the low/reverse servo but the replacement I bought does not have one. Found this out while pulling the VB to replace it with a rebuilt. Is there any harm or difference anyone noticed with or without a spring? Thanks for your input. Joe

01-07-2013, 11:19 PM	#9
greasemanicure Wannabe Elite Explorer Burlington, NC 1996 4X4 4R->5R mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 159 Vehicle Specs	Thanks! I noticed that I can see the application point on the reverse band through the servo bore. I take that as good news. About how much resistance should I feel applying pressure to the reverse band compared to the other two bands given that there is no adjustability to that band? Is the resistance that can be felt an indication of the health of the reverse band? Thanks again! Joe

01-08-2013, 09:20 AM	#10
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,679 Vehicle Specs	It should feel like a spring. The band will snap back after you push on it. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

01-08-2013, 10:17 PM	#11
greasemanicure Wannabe Elite Explorer Burlington, NC 1996 4X4 4R->5R mod Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 159 Vehicle Specs	Thanks, BB! That is exactly what it feels like. I will get delivery of a new reverse/low servo, rings and gasket in a few days. The shaft on the servo has a little surface wear and a bit of light scorching near the tip. The new VB is already here. Tranny is drippng, dripping, dripping. VB goes in tomorrow afternoon with the finishing touches when the servo is delivered. News later this week. Joe p.s. I still have the original tranny that I replaced some 120,000 miles ago with one from a salvage yard. I made a jig out of "found parts" to hold the tranny to my work bench and allow me to rotate it during a tear down/rebuild. That one lost reverse and it seems like the reverse band broke as the apply end is no where near the servo port. I look forward to the adventure of seeing what looks good, bad and ugly on my way down to the reverse band. Joe

01-09-2013, 08:37 AM	#12
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,679 Vehicle Specs	I recommend the TransTec Viton D ring kit instead of using ordinary O rings since it makes a tighter seal. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

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