A4LD reverse servo d-ring seal install (how to)

[OneBadExplorer]

To start the A4LD trans is a pos transmission. One of the main failures is the reverse servo seal. When replacing the seals it is recommended to upgrade them. There is two styles people are using. The Double Lip is the most known and hardest to find. I used the D Ring style and can be found on the internet, I think I paid 12 bucks for mine. It came with the upper and lower seals.

I did some searching and could not find a write up on how to change them. So I figured why not make a how to.


I did it on a spare trans that is being used as a weight in the back of my sport(for the snow). To be honest I just have not taken it out. My other ex is a 4 door that is plagued with a4ld problems and my last attemp before I go m50 on it is to do the D Ring seal in hopes of stronger reverse. The spare trans looks to have had a rebuild. The servo that came out had a double lip seal and it was missing the large spring that goes up in the bore. The seal has seen better days and was very plyable and I was not going to use it.

Step one: Remove the pan bolts and drop the pan. I have no pictures of this and it is an easy step.

Step 2:You will be looking at the bottom of the valve body. There is 4 bolt that hold the cover on, remove them but be careful on the last bolt. There is a spring that is inside the presses out on the servo. Hold the cover so it does not fly out at you.

Step 3: You will be looking at the servo inside or on the floor if you did not hold it. If it is being held in use needle nose and grab onto the aluminum fins and pull it out.

Step 4: Clean up the servo and get the tools ready. I like to have a feeler gauge on hand to install the seals. I have yet to find out what friend used it and did not return them. I was stuck using small screwdrivers. The dining room table is optional but use at caution. The old lady was gone so I did it inside the house. If she came home I would not be typing this .

Step 5:Take the seals out using the screwdriver and clean the seal area of debris.

Step 6: It is best to use vaseline on the seal when installing. I could not find any so I had to raw dog it. Be very careful not to rip it or pinch it. The feeler gauges come in handy here, you can lube them up and run them along the edge to seat the seals. Here is how they will look.

At this point you are done and you can reinstall it into the trans and fill her back up.

I took some pictures comparing the two styles with a caliper. Like any other time I go to use it the battery is dead but you can sort of tell the D Ring is a tad wider.

D ring

Double Lip

Some extra info when doing this. If you are doing this with a shift kit the kit should come with two springs. One big when that goes in the bore and a little one that goes inside the servo. To reach that one you have to pop the clip at the top of the servo and pull the rod off of it(pita).

Sorry if pics are too large and I hope this helps everyone doing a servo seal.

 

[ibm]

will this fix the lag time going in to drive

 

[BrooklynBay]

Excellent write up! To answer the question above, it should help. I wanted to point out that a feeler gauge could damage the seals as previuously mentioned so a trick to install it is to put the servo in the freezer prior to installation. Cold contracts, so it will give you a little extra room to play with while installing when it's cold.