A rather odd ball A4LD(e) slipping.

[BrooklynBay]

Is VAT the equivalent of tax in the US? I wonder if this valve body could be used in a US A4LD to get rid of the electronics since it doesn't have any solenoids. The US version has a modulator which isn't electronic. The later models don't even have a built in VSS.

 

[Transit TDI]

I believe our VAT must be the equiv. of your tax when you purchase "luxury goods"

But I bet your tax is around 5% ?
Ours has been temporarily reduced by a massive 2.5% to 15%:

And I'm sure you can have an electronic free A4ld, as we do have them over here!

On the earlier Transit (non turbo) diesel (1992 to 1994) was exactly that!
Had a conventional mechanical fuel pump and cable operated kickdown!
The vacuum was regulated by a Pierburg valve, to control the vacuum modulator.
The petrol version didn't even need the Pierburg valve, as it would work like any normal car!

Still had the conventional floor shift; P.R.N.D.3.2.1.

The selector is biased, so that you can go between 3 and D and back, without over shooting and without pressing the release button on the selector.

I suppose the design was such that it was left up to the driver, whether or not overdrive was needed?

I use this feature to full advantage!
Select 3 for around town and have engine braking and once your speed is over say 40mph and would like O/D, shift to D .

Or leave it in D but have no engine braking under 35/40mph.

Perfect for joining a motorway (freeway?) where your pedal may have to be re-applied to go with the flow and without the box having to dance up and down a gear!

Select 2 for slippery surfaces, to get you going.

But they must all work the same? no?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Every state has a different tax level. It's 8.35% in my state.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you know if there is a rebuild manual for this version of the A4LD? The books in the US don't have anything on it. Do you have a link for a UK version (maybe EBay in the UK)?

 

[Transit TDI]

Do you know if there is a rebuild manual for this version of the A4LD? The books in the US don't have anything on it. Do you have a link for a UK version (maybe EBay in the UK)?

There doesn't seem to me much in the way of information in the UK, is the reason why I'm here!
The only place that's been of any use, is Vanmatic Ltd in Hayes Middx.
Mark and Steve have been really helpful!
(I think I'll be troubling them again!)
It was them that actually got me the Sonnax boost valve kit.

I'm concluding that maybe the oil pump is weak, but was told that they normally screach (like a screaming cat) when they have a problem?

Can they simply become weak?
Is it normal that they should show signs of weakness after say 45,000 odd miles?


Anyway, been driving it a week now
Been missing it big time!

The overdrive still slipping under load (say going up a hill)

Unfortunately reverse is deteriorating big time!
I don't know why and can't work it out at all, since all the clutches and servos concerned (please correct me if I'm wrong) are used as other gears!

Third gear is perfect, as is 1st gear, so doesn't this eliminate these clutches/bands that reverse uses?

The only other thing I've noticed, is reverse is fine when cold! and overdrive does hold on under load !

Anything I can do to increase pressure for reverse and overdrive?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Sonnax makes a high ratio boost valve with O rings for 4.0L applications. It will give you a little extra boost above the regular one. Other parts are Sonnax end plugs with O rings, and the TransTec Viton D ring kit for the low/reverse servo instead of using regular O rings.

 

[Transit TDI]

Thanks for your input BB

I've carefully studied all the info on here, including links and have come to the conclusion that I must have a slightly distorted overdrive clutch ! (probable leak?)

This is the clutch that is being used for engine braking in 3,2 and 1 and is also used for reversing!

It doesn't help, that I only have two drive plates (factory) in it, unlike all the other A4lds that seem to use three drive plates!

I've also noticed that the 4.0 L uses six clutch packs instead of the five clutch packs.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade?

Over drive must be slipping because the the surface of the overdrive clutch hub was so smooth after machining, the band must be having trouble keeping a grip of it?
Is this possible?

Everyone likes pictures, as it makes things a lot clearer:


Here are the overdrive bands!
New at the top and the old overheated one underneath!
Either the band was slipping really badly, or the clutch pack was causing this heat damage!
What do you think?

The overdrive hub before machining

And after machining

Here's the original boost valve.
Was exactly the same size as the Sonnax large boost valve that has gone in!(802/463-9722) The O ring seals are defo. a good idea!

On this picture, you may just notice/work out it only has two clutch plates

I will be rebuilding the original box in the near future and intend on upgrading the overdrive clutch pack!
Can anybody think of any possible side effects, if I fit three clutches for the overdrive ?
Why would Ford only give me two?

And anybody tried the Kevlar bands? do they grip like a rottweiler ?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's possibe that the servo is dried out, and leaking. This will cause the band to drag, and slip. Kevlar will make it slip even more unless you increase the hold/apply pressure. Additional plates will give you more torque (increase the available torque/strength) of the transmission, so it won't hurt. This is a good upgrade.

 

[Transit TDI]

It's possibe that the servo is dried out, and leaking. This will cause the band to drag, and slip.

But that part is brand new.

Kevlar will make it slip even more unless you increase the hold/apply pressure.

I'm still figuring out how to do this!
Might even have to guess as to what kit to buy and simply use what I can out of it.
Any suggestions?

And how about carbon fibre?
"#5C. Fits A4LD / 4R44E / 4R55E - 1985-1996. Carbon Fiber bands for 2nd and overdrive. Two required per transmission. This band will have firm shifts. Cost $25.00"

Additional plates will give you more torque (increase the available torque/strength) of the transmission, so it won't hurt. This is a good upgrade.

That's good to hear

 

[stevieraysb]

valve body

i`v found all a4ld have torque specs on valve body installments if you overtighten the outer bolts around the edge of the valve body this by itself will cause a no overdrive or a slipping overdrive as well as a delay in rev everything i`v read to this point tells me this is a control problem (hyd valve body) the outer bolts require less torque than the inner bolts thay must be torque in inch pounds failing to properly torque the valve body will put the valve body in a bind causeing valves to stick.
I`v seen this type of transmission before the inner parts are the same as all of the A4ld overdrive drum center support ect diffrent type of valve body diesel units this is where the electric mod comes into play and useing a micro switch for kickdown.I`v no doubt the problem is in the valve body hyd system.
gill younger kit can be bought to fix a slow rev ingagement problem as well as overdrive and also has the proper torque spec when replaceing the valve body in the kit box and will show you where to drill holes in the plate and valve body to correct the problem.

 

[nooberiffic]

No follow up on this?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you end up doing an entire rebuild on this transmission with additional clutch plates? One thing that I'm curious about is if they eliminated the speed governor since they eliminated the kickdown cable, and use an EPC solenoid instead of a vacuum modulator.

 

[sinbad67]

There doesn't seem to me much in the way of information in the UK, is the reason why I'm here!

There's even less in Norway!
I found a lot of information here:

http://www.granada-and-scorpio-online.com/

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/

Some other pages too, but these are the ones I've found the most usefull info until now

Both in UK. But not too much about upgrade info as I want info about.
But, now I found "Project Frankentranny" here, and my hope is to copy some of that to fit in my -94 Scorpio with the original A4LDe or the -87 A4LD I've put in...

I think there's no difference if it's a diesel or not in the Scorpio / Granada... But I'm not sure...

 

[wood1]

Very interesting...

 

[richieintransit]

I think there's no difference if it's a diesel or not in the Scorpio / Granada... But I'm not sure...

The petrol ones are different i'm afraid!
I have an a4lde in my transit diesel and an a4ld in my petrol 2.0 one, I think the petrol one is more similar to the explorer one but i'm not sure it's exactly the same??
The bell housing look different on the diesel it has fins, on the petrol it's smooth,
My petrol one is stuck in drive, i have been told the forward clutch has welded itself on!
But as andy has said there is very little info here in the uk, I have no idea where to get parts from as I also have slow engage in d on my diesel which I believe after reading all the brilliant info on this site is the low/reverse servo seals but I have no idea where I can get new seals and gasket from, what will happen if I leave this and don't fix it?
thanks guys

 

[richieintransit]

Hi guys,
Just bought a transit with a4lde and have lost 4th gear
I have the gearbox as pictured above and I'm thinking there is an electrical issue stopping 4th being engaged,
if I was to pull the wires from the external switch would this mean 4th is now allowed? as I have read a few things that say that it inhibits the overdrive when powered so maybe taking the wires off will give it no power and mean it allows 4th?
any help would be fantastic
thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

You have to confirm that the computer is commanding 4th gear.