A/T - AXOD Cleaning Tips

90ford02

Article No. 90-2-8

TRANSAXLE - AXOD - CLEANING TIPS

FORD: 1986-90 TAURUS

LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1986-90 SABLE

1988-90 CONTINENTAL

ISSUE: Cleaning of certain AXOD transaxle components is very important when performing service to the transaxle. Failure to properly clean the transaxle could result in a repeat repair.

ACTION: If service is required, use the following cleaning procedures.

CONVERTER AND OIL COOLER

Internal wear or damage in the transaxle may be carried into the converter and oil cooler. These contaminants are a major cause of repeat transaxle failures. They MUST be removed from the system before the transaxle is put back into service. Some of the contaminants are:

^ Metal particles

^ Clutch plate material

^ Band material

Whenever a transaxle has been disassembled to replace worn or damaged parts or because the valve body sticks from foreign material, the converter and oil cooler MUST be cleaned. Use a mechanically agitated cleaner, such as Rotunda Torque Converter and Oil Cooler Cleaner Model 014-00028 or equivalent.

The lack of a drain plug in the AXOD converter increases the amount of residual flushing solvent retained in the converter after cleaning. This retained solvent is not acceptable and a method of diluting it is required. The following procedure is to be used after removal of the AXOD torque converter from the cleaning equipment.

1. Thoroughly drain the remaining solvent through the hub.

2. Add 1.9 liters (2.0 U.S. quarts) of clean transmission fluid to the converter.

3. Thoroughly drain the solution through the converter hub.

NOTE: IF ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF METALLIC PARTICLES ARE PRESENT DUE TO PLANETARY GEAR SET OR OTHER HARD PART FAILURES, REPLACE THE CONVERTER. METALLIC PARTICLES BECOME IMBEDDED IN FRICTION MATERIAL INTERNAL TO THE CONVERTER AND CANNOT BE REMOVED BY CLEANING. THE OIL COOLER AND COOLER LINES MUST STILL BE CLEANED BEFORE REINSTALLING THE TRANSAXLE.

Figure 1:

OIL PUMP SHAFT

Give extra attention to blowing out the oil passages of the oil pump shaft, Figure 1. The inner oil supply tube of the pump shaft can catch debris and block the converter oil release passages. This can cause converter lockup and shudder concerns.

Figure 2:

PUMP BODY PRIMING SPRING

Some repeat repairs indicate that the pump priming spring was not removed and thoroughly cleaned, Figure 2. Contaminants become trapped in the inside of the spring because of the spring's heavy coils. Not thoroughly cleaning the spring and body will cause repeat repairs primarily in the T.V. circuit.

Figure 3:

CHAIN COVER ACCUMULATOR PISTONS

Another area of repeat repairs are the accumulators in the chain covers, Figure 3.
^ The N-D accumulator cushions the application of the low/intermediate band during the neutral to drive engagement.
^ The 3-4 accumulator cushions the application of the overdrive band by absorbing overdrive servo apply oil.
^ The 1-2 accumulator cushions the application of the intermediate clutch by absorbing intermediate clutch oil and providing a control pressure to the 1-2 accumulator capacity modulator valve.

Failure to remove the accumulator pins and pistons to thoroughly clean the passages will cause engagement and shift feel concerns.
THRUST NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE ASSEMBLIES

Pay particular attention to cleaning the needle bearing and race assemblies. Casual cleaning is not always sufficient since debris becomes trapped between the needles and races. The number 17 needle bearing is especially difficult to clean because of its proximity in the final drive plant assembly.

The following procedure will make sure of the proper cleaning and inspection of the number 17 needle bearing and race assembly.

Figure 4:

1. Remove the planetary pinion shaft retaining snap ring, Figure 4.

Figure 5:

2. Using a magnet, work planetary pinion shafts out of differential case housing, Figure 5.

Figure 6:

3. Slide out the pinion gears and thrust washers, Figure 6. Inspect the needle bearings and pinion shafts.

Figure 7:

4. Remove the number 17 needle bearing from the top of the differential planetary assembly, Figure 7. Rinse it in solvent and blow it out with compressed air.

Figure 8:

INCOMPLETE DISASSEMBLY OF CLUTCHES AND SERVOS

Repeat repairs show that a large percentage of failed transaxles are not being thoroughly disassembled and cleaned.

The reverse clutch especially is not always disassembled and cleaned of debris even though the clutch itself is not damaged from the failure, Figure 8.

Figure 9:

Servo cavities are another area that are often neglected during overhaul, Figure 9. Sludge will often build up in the cavities. They should be thoroughly cleaned whenever overhauling a transaxle for any reason.

Figure 10:

CLUTCH CYLINDER INTERNAL SPLINES

The internal splines of the four clutch cylinders have a tendency to trap debris and build-up sludge, Figure 10. Sometimes the splines are not cleaned properly. A stiff cleaning brush and solvent should be used to loosen contaminants from the splines. Failure to properly clean the splines can cause valve body and governor valves to stick from contaminants after rebuild.

Figure 11:

OIL FILTER SCREEN INSPECTION

Use the following diagnosis procedure to reduce repeat repairs when a shift concern indicates the need to remove the main control.

1. Remove the lower oil pan.

2. Remove the oil filter screen.

3. Separate the filter halves for inspection.

NOTE: IF ABNORMAL AMOUNTS OF DEBRIS ARE PRESENT, A MAIN CONTROL REPLACEMENT ALONE WILL NOT CORRECT THE CONCERN. THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE DEBRIS AND IT MUST BE THOROUGHLY CLEANED PRIOR To REASSEMBLY.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 89-24-7, 89-23-8, 89-22-3, 89-22-4, 89-22-5, 89-19-12
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 5100, 5200, 5300