One of the glaring holes in my automotive resume is to rebuild an automatic transmission. A ford AOD to be specific.
I actually took one apart because I wnated the empty case to do mock-up work. Looked kinda complicated.
Is this something that a mere mortal can do or best left to the pro?
That's on my list of things to try, but I've never been into one. The E4OD in my truck could use a freshening up, I've been temped to try it.
The hardest part in the physical sense is having the tools needed to do it, mostly a clutch hub press. Somewhat less important/easier to work around are bushing/seal drivers, good snapring pliers, lip seal installers, parts washer, shop press, feeler gauges, rubber tipped blow gun, pick set, the list goes on.
If i hadn't actually worked in a transmission shop i probably never would have gotten truly comfortable with it. I relate it to installing window tint in the sense that if you are only going to do it to attempt to save yourself money on one or two jobs per decade, you will never get good at it and shouldnt even bother to try. Auto transmission are that concept applied to much more expensive/risky work. You can force yourself through a transmission rebuild while lacking appropriate tools and it may work out and you can tell yourself you did it, but in reality unless you plan to invest in the appropriate tools and do enough of them to really get comfortable with it, i wouldn't bother to start.
Or, more optimistically, i would stick to manuals! Much simpler! All you really need for those is the snap ring pliers, a shop press, and a whole bunch of rigging pieces for the shop press.
In reply to Vigo:
The only reason I want to do one, is because I haven't. I think it would be fun. It would be a challenge and I would learn something.
i have done a few 700r4 gm rwd ones and a chrysler a604 fwd transaxle, with nothing more than the ATSG book, parts from bulkpart.com, and making the tools. these were back when i had way less experience than i do now.
i made a clutch drum press from steel bent into a U, a threaded rod, and a flat bar on the other side to pull it all together to get the clips out.
you can do it.
just put a proper manual in its place
Gearheadotaku wrote: just put a proper manual in its place
That's what I did. Best mod I've done to the car
If my dad would have never been a trans rebuilder, I might have never been in a position to build my own automatics.
Toyman01 wrote: In reply to Vigo: The only reason I want to do one, is because I haven't. I think it would be fun. It would be a challenge and I would learn something.
This is pretty much my thoughts on the subject. I like to learn stuff and say I did it at least once.
I could tell from taking the one apart that if might be a special tool-fest. Think I will poke around and see what the tools add up to.
OK, had a look and if you buy most of the tools you will spend a few thousand. The only one that I see as mandatory that cant be rigged is the seal protector.
As to doing a manual, it's going to be the wife's toy. No way she is going to budge on the automatic.
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