A4LD???

[khaw]

I was surfing the web the other night looking for mods/upgrades for the A4LD tranny. I came across a site, TCI I believe. that stated "never tow with the A4LD". It said it would soon destroy the tranny. Is this true? These people build high performance trannies so I would think they shoud know what there talking about, but that's not always true. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Thanks
Keith

 

[410Fortune]

hahahaha My A4LD was built FOR towing. Still going strong.....

What kills the A4LD is heat, just like any other auto. Your ATF gets hot, it breaks down and doesnt lube anymore = trouble.

The A4LD does have weak parts internally, and they will wear out. The OD unit being it;s biggest weakness. Dont tow in OD, but towing is okay with it.

It helps to be prepared to tow with the A4LD however, meaning you better have a tranny cooler and keep up on the ATF and filter changes (every year for me with synth ATF) I am running a Hayden class A motorhome cooler in line with my 3 core aluminum radiator and super cooling fan (11 blade). I plan to add a external tranny filter and a tranny temp gage soon as well, also a 10" pusher fan for those long hill climbs with the boat....

 

[tmanson]

I tow a boat, and a car on a dollie. I have an external transmission filter with a temp gauge. If there is a long uphill climp I have to go slowly in second gear to keep from heating up. I think that 410Fortune's setup is would be the best. On downhill runs I will shift into OD. I have been doing this for 5 years and 65k miles with no problem.

 

[khaw]

That's what I was hoping to hear.. I have a remote tranny cooler with temp controled fan I'm going to install. Also want to do a pusher to the radiator and remote filter with gauge.

Thanks again.
Keith

 

[Bzz]

I've got the 5 speed auto tranny. 100,000Kms on it..never changed the oil...I'm about to, as soon as I locate a filter kit..

..any news on the reliability of these things?...I tow a small aluminum boat every summer for MANY trips down the freeway...and I always use the OD....actually, 90% of my mileage is probably freeway with the OD..

..overall, how's the reliability on these 5 speeds (5R55E I believe?)

 

[tmanson]

Bzz:
I know little about the second gen transmissions. In general I hear allot more good things than bad about it. I think the best thing for any auto transmission is to get a gauge to monitor the temperature. That way you can back-off if it starts to get hot. If it gets hot too easy than you can put a tyranny cooler in it or get a bigger one if you already have one. The only negative thing I have heard of with synthetic transmission fluid is the price. I plan on going synthetic soon.

What do you use a boat for in BC? I thought all you needed their was a fly rod and some waders.

 

[Bzz]

tmanson:

hehe...we fish on the Fraser River...for sockeye salmon each year....we fish from the sand bars and islands on the river...the boat is just to cross and to go up and downstream from the launch to the fishing spots..=)

...when we launch our boat on the shore of the river..that's the only time the Ex sees the end of the pavement..=) (hate to admit it..but it's true.. )

 

[Opera House]

So did you find any mods?

I've searched and haven't found any improved parts for the overdrive which is the most common problem. Weld broke on the OD planetaty gear assembly, then snapped off the castle teeth on the OD clutch drum a little more than a year later. At over 200k the clutch plates and bands are still perfect. So they don't wear out, they just snap. Coolers do help the seals. Most likely seal to fail from heat is the low/reverse solenoid.