4th gear band adjuster gone

[nicksails]

'91 explorer 2wd. i've finally got back to my no 4th gear problem. after insuring voltage to the solenoids, i pulled the pan and found that the cast "block" that the end of the adjuster goes into is missing in action.

i can see the intermediate band adjuster, but the 4th was just the end of the threaded adjuster. i poked around with a mirror and a magnet, no joy.

it worked fine until it didn't. it's hard to believe my dirt road is so rough that it shook this loose. it seemed to shift fine, but must have been way out of adjustment.

now that i've found the problem, i have 2 questions.

1- i know this is near the front of the trans., is that how i get there? and will i need any special tools?

2- where can i find parts and should i try to get just the band or the drum as well? any seals that need replaced?

ok, 3 or 4 questions. the fluid looked new, the filter clean. there was some "metal powder" on the magnet but nothing even 1/8 the size of a pinhead.

trans worked perfect until no 4th. and i don't have the guts to go any farther.

special thanks to brooklyn and glacier for the post, links and photos.

thanks for any help,
nick

 

[BrooklynBay]

Make sure that the band is not broken. If the band is OK, then remove the valve body, back off the adjustment stud, and use a long needle nose plier to reinstall the anchor strut that fell out. Adjust the band with a torque wrench when you are finished.

 

[nicksails]

hi brooklyn, thank you sir. i've removed the adjuster. the valve body is still installed and bear in mind the trans is still in the truck.

i didn't think removing the valve body would give me any more access . will it?

i can't find the anchor strut. i'm assuming that it's on top of the casting.

but i SURE like your idea.

thanks
nick

 

[BrooklynBay]

Take a look at the pictures in the band adjustment thread.

 

[nicksails]

i'll go over it again. i may have to turn her on her side to get the anchor strut. hahahaa
i'll let you know tomorrow.
thank you so much,
nick

 

[nicksails]

i've been transmisson fishin all afternoon. brooklyn i see what you are saying.
several times i was able to get the end of a wire with a kink in the very end of it on the end of the band and pull it over to where i could see it. it would snap back telling me that it's probably not broken and is still attached to the anchor end.

BUT, i was unable to find the adjusting strut. it looks like an easy fix if i can find this hunk of cast lost in my trans.

i'll go tomorrow magnet shopping.

thanks for the help.
nick