A4LD Reverse/Intermediate Drum assembly

[jwwing]

Trying to reassemble the A4LD for a 4L 1993 Explorer, the detailed rebuilds don't show how the assembly of the two clutches go together to form the assembly that is mounted right behind the center support. I found the diagram in the manual but it doesn't appear to be right and not detailed enough - does anyone have pictures? Or another suggestion? The ATSG A4LD_manual gives a breakout on page 108. It shows a "Needle Bearing Washer" between the forward planet gear and the clutch hub with sun gear. I cannot get anything to fit there. I am going to re-study this and see if I can resolve. Just was hoping for someone to have pictures of these parts and how they assemble.

 

[jwwing]

I studied this again and there is a needle bearing with a bushing inside of the planetary - I did not take it apart, but both of these should be either before or after the planetary. There is a bushing on the front side of the gear that the planetary goes into between the gear and another needle bearing that is special to the 4 L version of the transmission. This bushing is not shown in the diagram. It is brass and has three oil galleys on the surface next to the needle bearing assembly. It fits into the gear perfectly. If it doesn't go there, then where?

 

[jwwing]

More details

Here is what Glacier's tear down pictures look like. Glacier says there is a needle bearing on top of the internal gear as shown in this picture. But the diagram in the ATSG manual shows a different one than he shows in the next picture. The ATSG manual on the top of page 108 shows an assembly of race 7D235 and 7D236 with needle bearing #6 in between for the 4.0 L. The picture that Glacier shows looks more like the needle bearing inside the forward planet gear carrier (at least that is what the one on mine looks like). The needle bearing assembly in the forward planet gear carrier does not come out of there unless you take the forward planet gear carrier apart. The ATSG manual's picture shows a "needle bearing thrust washer" outside of the forward planet gear carrier between it and the "clutch hub". The ATSG picture also shows a needle bearing #7 which matches up with what mine looks like and also with what Glacier shows in picture 159.

Picture 155 looking down on needle bearing #6

Picture 157 needle bearing #6 Glacier says this is #6 but it looks to me more like a needle bearing in the forward planet gear carrier on mine and on the ATSG diagram. The difference is on the wavy edge. #6 is smooth and the needle bearing inside the forward planetary gear carrier is wavy on mine.

Picture 158 the brass bushing - this can only fit here on the "Internal gear" but the ATSG picture does not show it. This is the bushing that I referred to in earlier descriptions of this assembly.

Picture 159 shows the brass bushing from inside the internal gear and also needle bearing #7. This agrees with my assembly, too.

Picture 162 shows the forward planet gear carrier from the back side (toward the rear of the tranny) note that there is no needle bearing located in there (just a ridge). Mine has a needle bearing there that looks like picture 157. Also the ATSG manual shows that something goes between the back side of the forward planet gear carrier and the drum and it calls it a "needle bearing washer". Note: The ridge referenced here is the smaller one toward the front of the carrier (in the back of the picture next to the gears), not the larger one on the back of the unit (front on the picture)

So where am I going wrong here?
Thanks for any help!

 

[jwwing]

Anybody? Is no one familiar with this stuff?

 

[jwwing]

Well, I guess there is no point hangin' around here. I think I'll put it together and see if it works. Bye

 

[PopRichie77]

I can't help you but you have to understand that people have jobs and they don't check in here everyday. I also believe there were some upgrades from 1990 that may be causing the confusion. I personally wouldn't put it together with out knowing as major damage could happen and putting in and taking out isn't any fun. I know as I am putting a 5R55E in right now.

 

[jwwing]

PopRichie: I know people are busy, but I have been waiting and watching this for over a year and over two months with diligence. So I recently put this problem area as a new post and addressed only the single issue. Still nothing. So now it is going on 3 weeks for it; I get it, no one is going to offer any help.

I would rather not put it together without knowing for sure, but I have waited a long time. I am getting pretty confident that I am right. And if it does fail, it will probably be because I pulled that back end washer out, not from being out of spec for end play.

If you look in the list for "A4LD 1993 Explorer XLT problem", you will see the original series of posts.

Besides, no one "owes" me a response. It looks like the guys who do know are not able to participate, so ... time to get on with it.

 

[PopRichie77]

Looking at the ASTG manual for the 5R55E that brass thrust washer is a bearing in the 5R55E and I would say it has to be there, there is a bearing between each clutch or planetary assembly, as I said before, I do know that the brass thrust washers were updated to bearings later on. ASTG manual for the 5R55E says to tag all thrust bearings as you take it apart. I took one apart and didn't tag them but I laid everything out in a line on the bench so that I knew where it went later. I know this doesn't help you. Wish I could help more but that's about it.

 

[jwwing]

Thanks, PopRichie. Part of my problem is that I took it apart in 2004 and didn't find anything wrong. Although I laid things out in order, when we moved, things might have gotten scrambled and I forgot how things were after the 5-yr hiatus.

The problem I have is that Glacier and Brain both claimed that they would show the assembly, but I can't find it if they did. I was able to find the tear down detail in Glacier's, which supports what I say. The ASTG manual's pictures show the detail, but do not indicate the brass bushing.

I also could not find a picture or description in the ASTG that shows how the OD apply band strut's bracket is inserted into the case. It just says install it, no picture, nothing. Just a little surprising is all. There is a picture showing the installation of the OD lever, and once you figure out how to install the bracket, the installation picture makes sense.

 

[Fordexplorerguy1]

I am rebuilding my 1994 ex's a4ld. How is the reverse band aligned? and how are the intermediate and oVerdrive band anchors set up? does someone have a picture?

 

[ragga]

Greets,

The reverse band just drops in to the bottom of the case, it pretty much only fits correctly when it is facing the correct way...if it's backwards there is almost 0 clearance between it and the case etc. it has 2 tabs on one side 1 tab on the other...

As far as the intermed and OD bands go... the pieces with the letter go on the servo side, you put that on, then the anchor fits on to it, the OD also has a metal clip that holds the lettered part...(this got in my way when compressing servo..I was using a c clamp putting bottom in area where you can look thru to anchor...I had to find one that fit inside the metal clip..I used a sliding wood clamp I got from Lowes for 14$, was able to wipe it off and return it later... The other anchor goes on the end of adjusting screw... Glacier gives a pretty good method for installing it, just adjust screw til its barely poking thru, then put anchor on it. If you have band in there, and you get anchors in you can use band to hold them close to where they should be, then adjust position carefully with needle nose pliers , small screwdriver etc.

Be very careful when working with Intermed anchors! If they fall down beside the assembly, you will either have to use a telescopic magnet to retrieve, ( I didn't have one...), or remove parts, or I tipped case up side down while holding assembly and parts in place...if you do this, and I am not recommending it...be sure and look down next to assembly with a light and verify that the reverse band dropped back into correct position...now if you already have VB in place you can put low/reverse servo in to help hold low/reverse band....Glaciers tutorial has some pretty good pics of anchors on reassembly...I think there some good ones also on the Band adjustment sticky...I think it was Brooklyn Bay's?

Respects,
Ragga