Transmission Flush?

[2doorsplor]

My transmission was recently low on fluid and it started to slip. I topped of the fluid and its better now as long as i let it warm up. I wanted to do a Transmission Fluid Flush, but i heard that doing so can lead to more problems down the road. Is that True? Also when i do get my transmission rebuilt, what are the benefits of getting a "Shift Kit" like what AAmco tried to sell me?

 

[Anime]

There's lots of different views on what the proper way to change transmission fluid is, but if you want an opinion, I'd suggest just sticking with doing it the old fashioned way, drain it, fill it, drive it, then repeat every so often until you've changed out most of the fluid. Use a top-of-the-line synthetic like Mobil 1 for the best results, although any good Mercon fluid, including Motorcraft, is fine. Horror stories of flushing abound, but then again theres stories of people changing out their tranny fluid and having the tranny start slipping since the old fluid had metal shavings in it that helped friction. A shift kit for the A4LD? I doubt it will do anything, if an actual kit specific to the A4LD even exists. Maybe it will make the shifts harder so you can imagine you're driving a muscle car? It's not really a performance transmission or anything...I'd say you're better off spending your money on synthetic fluid than a shift kit, but if it's inexpensive and you want to try it...go ahead.

 

[BrooklynBay]

How many miles do you have on your vehicle? When was the last time you replaced the fluid, and filter?

 

[tweakedlogic]

I haven't tried it yet, but I was planning on interrupting the transmission fluid after the cooler. Then hook up an electric driven power steering pump to push in the new fluid. So after the cooler would be a bucket for the old fluid. The pump would pull from a bucket of new fluid. Start the engine, and tune on the pump. Let it run until the fluid coming out of the cooler is clean. then reconnect the cooler return line and your done.
Like I said, I haven't tried it yet. but I know it will work.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Why use an electric pump when all you would have to do is start the engine? If you are interested, Harbor Freight sells a flushing machine, but it's expensive.

 

[aldive]

Its a simple, less than 30 minute task that you can do in the driveway. Let the tranny do the work.

 

[loneviking]

I haven't tried it yet, but I was planning on interrupting the transmission fluid after the cooler. Then hook up an electric driven power steering pump to push in the new fluid. So after the cooler would be a bucket for the old fluid. The pump would pull from a bucket of new fluid. Start the engine, and tune on the pump. Let it run until the fluid coming out of the cooler is clean. then reconnect the cooler return line and your done.
Like I said, I haven't tried it yet. but I know it will work.

I've done something similar with my Volvo with a kit made to do this. Some suggestions:

1. You need to be really careful with the tranny cooler lines going into the radiator. If those lines haven't been off in a long time, you can twist up the tranny cooler and wind up needing to buy a new radiator. Trust me, I've been there and done that!

2. You have to identify which of those lines pumps and which pulls fluid back to the radiator.

3. A really good idea is a piece of heavy hose designed to hold hot liquids, with a fitting on one end that can clamp onto the tranny cooler line that is pumping fluid out. This hose should be long enough to go into whatever container you're putting the used fluid into. It's a lot easier using a hose like this in the tight spaces of an Explorer engine compartment.

 

[aldive]

2. You have to identify which of those lines pumps and which pulls fluid back to the radiator.

The is no line that PULLS fluid. There are two lines (1) to the tranny and (2) from the tranny.

 

[loneviking]

The is no line that PULLS fluid. There are two lines (1) to the tranny and (2) from the tranny.

I have a '91 Explorer with a tranny cooler in the side of the radiator. Fluid gets pumped into the cooler from one line and then returns to the tranny in the other line. You figure out which line is pumping fluid from the tranny into the cooler and use that line to dump the old fluid.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The lower line coming out of the transmission is the pressure line. The upper line is the return line. Check # 52 in my list of useful threads for more information: http://transmichigan.com/html/cooler_line_id.html

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93019

Replace, and clean fluid in transmissions, hydraulic torque transmissions, gear boxes, radiators, and radiator pipelines.
Quick and easy operation.
User friendly control panel.
Two 8 gallon storage tanks (for new, and used fluid).
Accessories: Two fluid collecting bottles, 24 assorted fittings, and adapters, 8 assorted hoses with clamps, and O-rings, tool box, and spare oil filter.
Air inlet: 1/4"-18 NPT, Air consumption: 5.3 CFM; Air requirement: 70 to 90 PSI, Overall dimensions: 25-1/2" L x 20-1/2" W x 46-1/2" H, Weight: 130 lbs.

ITEM 93019-2VGA

$499.99

 

[tweakedlogic]

Why use an electric pump when all you would have to do is start the engine? If you are interested, Harbor Freight sells a flushing machine, but it's expensive.

I haven't taken apart a ford tranny before, but I was sure that the pump, pushed the fluid trough the cooler from the pan. That being the case, I would need a pump to push the fluid back the the tranny.
Are you telling me that the return line will suck the new fluid int the tranny? That would be great.

 

[aldive]

You are misunderstanding ....

The tranny pumps the old ATF out into a catch bucket and you add new ATF to the fill tube.

 

[smtcapecod]

A shift kit for the A4LD? I doubt it will do anything, if an actual kit specific to the A4LD even exists. Maybe it will make the shifts harder so you can imagine you're driving a muscle car? It's not really a performance transmission or anything...I'd say you're better off spending your money on synthetic fluid than a shift kit, but if it's inexpensive and you want to try it...go ahead.

There's an extensive write-up on the forum about the two shift kits available...I thought it was Brooklyn but maybe it was Glacier. They are different, both relatively inexpensive-- neither is the 'simple' version, the require a bit of drilling as well as replacing some of the springs and a check ball in the valve body. Might be tackling mine tomorrow..

 

[fordnut71]

i just put my kits in 2 weeks ago an they well worth it

 

[smtcapecod]

You bought and installed two?
More info, please...

 

[fordnut71]

ya i bought both kits that are shown on the transmissions forms here . theres a transgo kit an a superiour kit. just look up (A4LD Valve Body Rebuild Diary) an it will have all the info an pics you want to know,very detailed. also sonnax has come out with some more upgades for the a4ld .im very happy with it.

 

[smtcapecod]

Thanks for providing the thread title, I did root out the thread before buying one of the kits. When I skimmed over it, I wasn't clear on the value of/need for the Superior kit. I did see some additional items from sonnax on one of the suppliers web sites- the valve upgrade requiring the $100 tool is probably outside the realm of my consideration! I also read that replacing one or more solenoids is a 'good idea', but didn't find the rationale for that.

So, right now I have an ATP kit from RockAuto which is identical to the Transgo. What did you use from Superior and what did you buy separately? Did you drill all of the holes and add the check-ball, or did you skip any of the steps? What kind of difference did you notice?
THanks, appreciate the experience-based advice!

 

[fordnut71]

i had my tranny out when i did it so i used as most of both kits i could with out going to the inside. i drilled out the valve body an i drilled the stock pucks out to the min size for harder shifts. (didnt use the cluch springs in the kits i think ill take my core an rebuild it for another project ) i also put in a zc servo in my o/d an placed the stock ab on the intermediate side. also adjust your bands once u have everything in place. btw my Superior kit had a new boost valve