After checking endplay, remove the oil pan. Check
the pan for metal particles, varnish buildup, and sludge.
Excessive sludge indicates that the holding members are
burnt and the fluid has been overheated. Metal particles
usually indicate that the torque converter, oil pump, plan-
etary gearsets, or other moving parts are badly worn. If this
is the first time the oil pan has been removed for service, it
is normal to see a few aluminum particles in the pan.
These particles were left over from case machining opera-
tions at the factory.
Removing the oil pan gives you access to the filter
and valve body. The filter may be pressed into a case
passageway and held in place with a clip on the valve
body, or it may be bolted directly to the valve body.
Remove the filter at this time.
After the filter has been removed, the valve body bolts
can be unfastened and the valve body can be removed
from the case. As you lift the valve body from the case,
carefully note the position of all valve body parts,
including springs, oil feed tubes, linkage attachments, and
check balls. If applicable, you should also remove the
vacuum modulator, push rod, and throttle valve from the
case at this time. See Figure 17-3. Place the assembled
valve body and related parts, as well as any modulator
parts, together on the workbench.
If you are disassembling a transaxle, remove any side
or top covers; then remove the side or top valve body.
Note the location of all tubes and check balls. If the
transaxle uses a transfer plate, remove it also.
Remove the bolts holding the extension housing to
the case. Extension housings are sometimes called tailshaft
housings. The extension housing should pull off over the
output shaft after the bolts are removed. A few extension
housings contain an output shaft bearing, which supports
the output shaft. In this design, the bearing snap ring must
be expanded before the extension housing can be slid from
the shaft.
After removing the extension housing, you can
remove the governor. This step applies only to governors
mounted on the output shaft, not those mounted in the
case. If you are disassembling a transaxle with a drive
chain, check the chain for wear as shown in Figure 17-4.
Then remove the chain and sprocket assembly. If the
transaxle uses transfer gears, remove the gears and care-
fully check the teeth for wear. See Figure 17-5.
Chapter 17 Rebuilding Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles 403
Vacuum
modulator
Throttle
valve
Push
rod
Figure 17-3. The vacuum modulator and throttle valve can be
removed now to prevent damage. Do not lose the pushrod, if
the modulator uses one. (Ford)
Wiggle up
and down
If dimension exceeds
specs (about 1-1/16 inch)
replace drive link
Figure 17-4. Always check the drive chain for wear before
disassembly. To disassemble, remove any snap rings that may
be holding the sprockets to their shafts. Position the chain
tensioner away from the chain. Then remove the chain and
sprockets as an assembly by carefully sliding both sprockets off
the transaxle shafts. Save any thrust washers placed between
the cover and the sprockets. (DaimlerChrysler)
Transfer
shaft gear
Output
shaft gear
Rear
cover
Figure 17-5. Drive gears are installed behind a sheet metal
cover. They should be checked for wear or damage.
(General Motors)