A4LD shift kit success

[karnage]

I got my parts today, faster than i thought I would get them.I installed the shift kit.Everything went smooth.All the valves came out pretty easy.This VB was extremely clean inside.I forgot to order my zc servo cover.SO I am trying to locate one locally so i dont have to pay an arm for a small item to ship.I added the new boost valve and will drill the holes for the pucks and seperator plate for firm shift at .063.I like a firm shift.Let you know how the rest goes.Now I have to wait for my new flowmaster and new hi flo cat to show up so I can weld up some new exhaust to make it breath better.Cant believe the shop wanted $250 plus for a muffler and a bit of pipe to be installed.My whole exhaust with cat will be under $100.Gotta love ebay for cheap parts.

 

[Glacier991]

Be sure and use an INCH POUNDS torque wrench to install this VB.

 

[karnage]

Yes I will go out and get one.Hey the shift kit calls to add a 5th check ball.DO I need to do this.I can get one from the old VB I have or just leave it.Also transmission parts usa forgot my from pump oil seal and the zc cover.That sucks as I was planning on putting this thing back in soon.Also the new reverse servo piston is real siff in the bore with those new seals.Is that right??I should be able to move it freely right or is there supposed to be a tight fit.I got the d ring kit.

 

[karnage]

Another thing.Should I do the low/reverse piston mod??It has a spring thats shorter and you take the little clip off.Whats the advantage to doing this??

 

[CDW6212R]

Install the whole kit, as much as possible. The TransGo kits for these v6 transmissions are not shift kits, they are more specifically system correction kits(sysko). They correct or improve the factory valve body operation. The other company's kits are designed based on what they learn from TransGo, to make their shifts harder/firmer. TransGo does make performance shift kits, but not for those transmissions(they call them HD kits). Good luck,

 

[Glacier991]

Yes the D rings will make that piston hard to move in the bore. I am on the fence with the Transgo fix to the low reverse piston. I often will leave it out. The fact that the 5R omits ANY spring tellsme that the stuff going on in that bore is not THAT critical.. it is more the seals than anything else.

Add the 5th check ball, or omit it. Another one of those things that you cannot make a serious mistake on. I add it.

 

[ProjectAviator]

finally somebody is making a shift kit for the A4ld. Who????

Tim

 

[Glacier991]

I suggest you check out the A4LD Valve Body Rebuild Diary. Both Transgo and Superior have had shift kits for that transmission for some time. That Diary shows you both. Plus Sonnax has a slew of mods as well.

 

[karnage]

I will add the 5th ball from my other vb that has the updated checks balls or brown ones.I wont mess with the low/reverse spring as it worked fine before.The d-ring was twisted a little, thats what was hanging it up.I reinstalled the d rings and it moves freely now, but firm.I also wen with the biggest holes drilled in the seperator plate for firmer shifts as well as drilled the pucks out.Now if my missing parts ever show up, I can get this tranny back in.

 

[Glacier991]

If for any reason your supplier says they are out of stock on the ZC covers, I am send ya one and you can replace it when you get yours.

 

[karnage]

I can get a zc cover locally from the trans shop nearby.He said a day to get it vs waiting a week from florida.Hey I did notice when putting the vb seperator plate on the gaskets dont match real well.Is that a problem??

 

[Glacier991]

The gaskets should match up to the holes. They may not fit the outside edges of the steel plate exactly, but when lined up over the boles they should match up exactly.

 

[karnage]

They dont really but the one i peeled off didnt really either.I bought a bottle of lube gard for mercon V with the green cap.is this a good addition to the mercon 3 fluid??Will it it harm anything??

 

[Glacier991]

green is designed to make Merc III act like Merc V. Won't hurt anything, not likely to make any difference either. Red would be a better choice.

 

[karnage]

red as in the additive or the black bottle with red cap to convert the mercon 2-3 into a highly friction fluid.I will take this stuff back.I usually use lucas fluid additives in the trans.

 

[Glacier991]

Stay away from Lucas for now. I can explain later. Red Lubegard. The additive. Or platinum.

 

[karnage]

I torqued the vb down to 90 inch pounds starting in the middle working outward.Now should I check the bands as well??I will exchange the fluid for the red bottle or platinum if they have it there.

 

[karnage]

I torqued the bands down to 120 inch pounds and turned the OD 3.5 turns out.That is full turn from where the wrench started and ending back there right??2 turns for the intermediate right.Its a 92 explorer.

 

[karnage]

4r70w

Ok after I am done with my A4LD install, I want to do a shift kit in my wifes expedition.Its shifts fine but that 3-4 shift is sloppy and 2-3 is soft.Is there anything else to upgrade on these trannies as well??

 

[karnage]

After adjusting the bands, I noticed that the OD stud seams to stick out further than before.Could it have a single wrap band in there or maybe I am imagining things.I adjusted them like the post said to.