Another A4LD bites the dust, have reverse, no drive gears

[robcarz]

My tranny lost forward and reverse suddenly without warning at about 35 mph. When/if I rebuild it I will take apart the clutch packs but I don't think that is the main problem. I have read a number of guys who rebuilt theirs and it didn't fix the problem.

When I put that tranny back in I want it to be for the last time.

 

[eprom101]

Even though your psi is good that doesnt mean your clutches are good. How many miles on the tranny?

 

[robcarz]

even though your psi is good that doesnt mean your clutches are good. How many miles on the tranny?

212,000

 

[eprom101]

Damn........yeah,,,,,,,you definitely need a rebuild on that tranny she has paid for herself ten fold. Those clutches are done. Get a good master kit off of ebay "with steels",get a new torque converter off ebay, get forward and reverse sprags .get a good rebuilt valve body from a reputable place like what ever it takes transmission, get a new modulator, get new thrust washer kit ,get new servos, the servos have different letters on the caps remember which is which. Pull all the parts and clean them with parts cleaner, preasure wash the case and housing. "replace all seals and o rings" put her back in, she will be good to go. Tip: remember to soak all frictions, use vasaline on washers to hold the in place .put your torque converter on the engine first, wait until you have the tranny back in to put the valve body pan on and rear housing back on its easer to line up to the converter because the tranny is shorter and lighter. peace of cake, good luck and take your time, keep your parts clean of dirt particles.

 

[robcarz]

You may be right, but I want a second opinion.

Some questions:Why would a clutch suddenly fail without warning? What is your track record as a transmission builder? Why buy anything on Ebay? Have you ever actually installed a torque converter on the engine first? Are you kidding me?

 

[eprom101]

You may be right, but I want a second opinion.

Some questions:Why would a clutch suddenly fail without warning? What is your track record as a transmission builder? Why buy anything on Ebay? Have you ever actually installed a torque converter on the engine first? Are you kidding me?

Thats the way its done, you mount the torque converter then slide the tranny on. No Im not kidding you. I guess If you want to pay $100.00 more for your parts you could shop elsewhere. Anyway Ive rebuilt three 4x4 ford a4ld and two ford 5r55e.

 

[eprom101]

Regardless of what has failed on your tranny at 212000 miles you can bet you frictions are very worn and if you plan to keep driving the vehicle you need to pull the tranny out and find out which part has failed. It looks like alot but it was not that hard for me. Im not a veteran tranny man and my trucks are running great.

 

[robcarz]

Thanks. I would like to refer back to post #15 where this all started: "....tranny is clean clutches look new....no visible damage... etc." That is where I am right now. Is this the tranny you burned the clutches on?In only 9 months? Please explain.

Rob Carter
carpenter/roofer/builder
age:60

 

[eprom101]

93 ford "exploder" Yeah, everything looked great until I pulled the frictions out of the forward clutch pack. All of the clutches were burnt up because the outer lip seal failed on the forward clutch pack. I most likely pinched it when I put the seal back in. All other clutches were clean & like new. Anyway that was my old problem, I fixed that issue this is where you need to fix yours. Have you tried putting your vehicle into 1st or 2nd then back into drive. I hope the forums help you and good luck to you.

outer lip seal

 

[PopRichie77]

I never saw any manual say install the torque converter and then slide the trans on, the torque converter has to engage the pump gear which requires rotating the torque converter till it engages the gear. Also damage can be done to the bearing doing it that way.

 

[eprom101]

I never saw any manual say install the torque converter and then slide the trans on, the torque converter has to engage the pump gear which requires rotating the torque converter till it engages the gear. Also damage can be done to the bearing doing it that way.

The tranny will not slide all the way onto the engie if the pump is not lined up correctly,its keyed. Do it the way you want to, I was just telling you how to do it the easy way. By rotating the fly wheel until the keys line up.

 

[robcarz]

Update. This thread started back in 2008 and I jump started it again in 2010. I hate it when a thread leads to nowhere.

The original poster lost all forward gears but had reverse. I lost all gears without warning so I misspoke when I said I had the same problem.

It took me a few months but I finally figured it out. Broken splines in the torque converter turbine shaft. Fooled me because it checked out ok according to the manual.

If you found this post you have probably been looking for a long time. Congratulations you found it!