Extra spring in A4LD valve body

[merkur]

Upon tear down of the 94 A4Ld we are rebuiding, on the case side of the tranny where the valve body bolts to the case we found a spring laying flat and lengthwise in one of the fluid tracks. It seems it's only purpose in life was to disrupt the general flow of things, much like myself. I pondered long and hard about it's origin, again much like myself, and decided it could have been put there by the factory to fix an oversight in the original design, and create a restriction or turbulation that would increase the overall health of the transmission. Whew, take a breath! Or it was put there accidentally by a slobby dumbass 5.00 dollar an hour shoddy rebuilders good for nothing sisters son there for the summer. I tend to think the later, but was it truly there by chance, or did it have a supernatural, or devine purpose to make me take a look at my life, it's origin, and pupose. To make a long story short. Does anybody know if that spring is supposed to be there or not?
Danny

 

[Glacier991]

Yes, it is FORD's "poor man's" idea of a debris filter. It should be there.

 

[merkur]

OK, so I guess I'll have to answere my own question. Was talking to a tech today from Superior, and brought up the extra spring. He had heard of some Ford dealer techs leaving a spring in there for when the trans breaks again(and it will for sure the way they build em) to show the customer that there is something seriously wrong with it. I dunno, it makes about as much sense as any other theories I have come up with. Later
Danny

 

[Glacier991]

My post must have crossed with yours. There IS an answer. I gave it.

 

[merkur]

Poor mans debris filter? Now that makes me think that maybe that is my purpose also. You are a guru.

 

[Glacier991]

I have a brand spanking new A4LD case, never used, still in the factory box, in my garage - guess what? The spring is there.

 

[merkur]

Yes our posts just keep getting crossed LOL. Thank you for that answere. That tech was no more in the know than I was. Tomorrow we put on the valve body, and linkage, and we are done. Your information has helped so much, starting even before the transmission was pulled out of the car. Thanks again. I'll let you know how it works. Then we have two more to build. Later
Danny

 

[BrooklynBay]

Here is a picture of it from Glacier991's photo gallery: