Service Procedures and Precautions

PRECAUTIONS
^ Before proceeding with disassembly, thoroughly clean the outside of the transmission. It is important to prevent the internal parts from becoming contaminated by dirt or other foreign matter.
^ Disassembly should be done in a clean work area.
^ Use lint-free cloth or towels for wiping parts clean. Common shop rags can leave fibers that could interfere with the operation of the transmission.
^ Place disassembled parts in order for easier and proper assembly.
^ All parts should be carefully cleaned with a general purpose, non-flammable solvent before inspection or reassembly.
^ Gaskets, seals and O-rings should be replaced anytime the transmission is disassembled.
^ The valve body contains precision parts and requires extreme care when parts are removed and serviced. Place removed parts in order, on a parts rack, so they can be put back in the valve body in the same positions and sequences. Care will also prevent springs and small parts from becoming scattered or lost.
^ Properly installed valves, sleeves, plugs, etc. will slide along their bores in the valve body under their own weight.
^ Before assembly, apply a coat of recommended ATF to all parts. Apply petroleum jelly to protect O-rings and seals, or hold small bearings and washers in place during assembly. Do not use grease.
^ Extreme care should be taken to avoid damage to O-rings, seals and gaskets when assembling.
^ If A/T fluid contains frictional material (clutches, bands, etc.), replace radiator and flush cooler line using cleaning solvent and compressed air after repair of A/T. Refer to Cooling System.
^ After overhaul, refill the transmission with new ATE
^ When the A/T drain plug is removed, only some of the fluid is drained. Old A/T fluid will remain in torque converter and ATF cooling system.

TORQUE CONVERTER SERVICE
The torque converter should be replaced under any of the following conditions:
^ External leaks in the hub weld area.
^ Converter hub is scored or damaged.
^ Converter pilot is broken, damaged or fits poorly into crankshaft.
^ Steel particles are found after flushing the cooler and cooler lines.
^ Pump is damaged or steel particles are found in the converter.
^ Vehicle has TCC shudder and/or no TCC apply. Replace only after all hydraulic and electrical diagnoses have been made. (Converter clutch material may be glazed.)
^ Converter is contaminated with engine coolant containing antifreeze.
^ Internal failure of stator roller clutch.
^ Heavy clutch debris due to overheating (blue converter).
^ Steel particles or clutch lining material found in fluid filter or on magnet when no internal parts in unit are worn or damaged - indicates that lining material came from converter.

The torque converter should not be replaced if:
^ The fluid has an odor, is discolored, and there is no evidence of metal or clutch facing particles.
^ The threads in one or more of the converter bolt holes are damaged.
^ Transmission failure did not display evidence of damaged or worn internal parts, steel particles or clutch plate lining material in unit and inside the fluid filter.
^ Vehicle has been exposed to high mileage (only). The exception may be where the torque converter clutch dampener plate lining has seen excess wear by vehicles operated in heavy and/or constant traffic, such as taxi, delivery or police use.

ATF COOLER SERVICE
If A/T fluid contains frictional material (clutches, bands, etc.), replace radiator and flush cooler line using cleaning solvent and compressed air after repair of A/T.