I see you are a 4R70W guru.What are the signs and symptoms of the 1-2 hard shift,and is it related to the 2-1 downshift? I service my own trans. and use Motorcraft MerconV exclusively,every 15-20k miles,along with Motorcraft filters.

 

I'm not really sure I understand the question. Signs and symptoms of a hard shift? Hard shift is the symptom of broken springs,but then sometimes the shifts become soft. Not all of them act the same when the spring breaks in the 1-2 accumulator. I'm not really a guru I build torque converters and work in a transmission shop. Yes the 1-2 is related to the 2-1 they both use that accumulator to control the shift feel.

Alan

 

My 1-2 shift is ok.The 2-1 usually thumps,thunks,knocks,or whatever you want to call it.And,you can hear the transmission whine in each gear on the 2-1 downshift. Is this a concern or am I just being paranoid?

 

Are you meaning 2-1 under throttle or 2-1 slowing down? Have you checked the u-joints and rearend? Sounds like a sloppy rearend to me if it is making a thunk. How are the mounts?
Alan

 

I'm referring to the 2-1 slowing down.That does make sense about the u-joints tho.I also here a similar noise when I put the truck in reverse.Stands to reason it would make that noise then.But,what about the tranny whining? And I know its not the rear end.Maybe i'm just being too paranoid thinking the whining is something wrong.

 

Got me thinking the ring and pinion are about shot.

 

How do you gather this info from what I have provided? The tranny is what is whining,not the rear end.And,as you stated,the u-joints might be bad.This makes sense.In all the other hype I was caught up in ide forgotten about the u-joints.As you know,99% of the time you are driving in one direction,putting excess load and stress on the u-joints.In time they will start to get loose.Putting it in reverse changes that direction,thus causing that forward slack to appear,going the other direction.

Anyway,I bought 12 quarts of Motorcraft MerconV and a filter.I'm gonna look at my 1-2 spring while i'm in there.Is it true there is a pink or white spring to choose from?Any tips on how to compress the spring to re-install the snap ring? I was thinking bottle jack.

 

Pink/white was factory on alot of 4r70w's They seem to be the ones that break. Ford has a new setup I know one of them is brown. Tell the dealership you want springs for a 2003 and use them. Are you sure the whining is coming from the transmission?
Alan

 

hey, next week when i get the parts, i'm going to start on the same project. i know i got the updated accumulator, but do i need a updated spring? thanks. i plan to drain the torque converter and fill up with mercon V. thanks

 

You don't "need" the springs they are just a little firmer shifting than the other setup.
Alan

 

I use my thumb to compress the springs to get the snap ring back in there. Ford sells a tool, but it is more work than using my thumb and costs a whole lot more.