A4LD Toast or Not

AZ86B2 · Oct 16, 2008

Got a running driving 93 Explorer for $500. Didn't look it over that well and missed that the trans fluid is dirty and smells. It drives quite well despite that. I will be changing the fluid and filter as well as adjusting the bands before I drive it again. Other than those things, what should I be inspecting/changing while I have the pan off-- Just things that will help determine if this thing needs a little TLC or a full rebuild/replacement.

AZ86B2 · Oct 23, 2008

Adjusted the bands today... took about 3.5 turns to get to the tq number on the front band.. could that have caused the discoloration of the fluid? Only supposed to be 2 turns back after tq is reached. Both lock nuts were tight. Front band was about 2 turns to reach correct tq before back off.

Bent Bolt · Oct 23, 2008

The bands can't take much abuse before burning out. The bands being that out-of-adjustment isn't good but isn't the cause of the dark fluid. If it's shifting OK, just drive it. Or drop $1800 for a new trans .

brendank · Oct 24, 2008

Aren't all A4LD's toast, or very close to it???

Ranger#1 · Oct 24, 2008

cocoasranger · Oct 24, 2008

A4LD's are made in France. That would make them French toast. ;missingteeth;

AZ86B2 · Oct 25, 2008

A4LD's are made in France. That would make them French toast.

Ok.. that made me laugh so hard I choked.
Thanks for the input, guys... I guess I'll just try to treat it nice and drive it till it quits.

eric17 · Nov 10, 2008

my original a4ld had 260k on it when i took it out.

Ranger#1 · Nov 10, 2008

eric17 said:
my original a4ld had 260k on it when i took it out.

blaa blaa blaaa bleee bleee bleee lucky bastard :thefinger:

eric17 · Nov 11, 2008

lol, yea im surprised too, everyone i talk too says how much of a pos they are but hell i havent had a prob and neither has anyone ive known with them, except when their son or someone just drives the shit out of something with high miles or not maintained and it messes up, i have a one, my dad, counsin, a friend hell my dads right now has 205k,mine 125k on new trans, my counsins 190k, and my buddies 140K.

eric17 · Nov 11, 2008

anyway have you driven it or what?

AZ86B2 · Nov 11, 2008

yep... have about 60 mi. on it since I changed the fluid & filter. Problem is that while doing other things, I fried the wiring to the solenoids. Other than not having 4th or TC clutch, it seems to be fine. Gonna change the fluid and filter one more time and drive it a bit before I decide on a new trans or just rebuild the VB with a shift kit and some new solenoids.
Mostly just want to make sure I don't put money into a tranny that's gonna fail anyway.

A4LD Toast or Not

AZ86B2

15+ Year Member

AZ86B2

15+ Year Member

Bent Bolt

15+ Year Member

brendank

It's only money...

Ranger#1

15+ Year Member

cocoasranger

15+ Year Member

AZ86B2

15+ Year Member

eric17

Banned

Ranger#1

15+ Year Member

eric17

Banned

eric17

Banned

AZ86B2

15+ Year Member

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