The reason the AOD was a poor tower is because of the small OD clutch pack.
At only about 4.5 inches across, they had a tendency to weld themselves
together during their "hunting" sessions. Seen it hundreds of times.
>The reason the AOD was a poor tower is because of the small OD clutch pack.
>At only about 4.5 inches across, they had a tendency to weld themselves
>together during their "hunting" sessions. Seen it hundreds of times.
In stock form, you are correct about the clutch. My
experience has been that the OD band is the weak point in
the AOD. Built right, that can be prevented. But, based on
my experience with one in a Bronco powered by a 14# puffed
5.0L, I can stop the hunting, welding and band failure with
enough pressure, wide band and huge servo. What we have not
figured out is whether or not Art Carr can make a strong
enough input shaft to resist twisting when towing on boost.
We have had that happen twice.
The E4OD properly built can handle the torque of any of the
stock engines but, as in any OD - or other trans - it
should be manually downshifted or deselect OD if it is
hunting under the prevailing operating conditions. It will
only build heat on the clutches when locking or unlocking.
The converter will generate heat any time it is unlocked and
"slipping". I do not use "slipping" to mean the converter
clutch or converter is malfunctioning - simply not running
at 1:1.
In any case, the E4OD as bad as the early ones were before
being rebuilt to the late specs was still superior to any of
the other boxes available for towing or other heavy work.
Without the OD part of it, the higher speeds limits
beginning in that time period would have been unattailable
for sustained periods with decent fuel economy. I suppose
they could have used taller rear ratios to cruise faster
but, pulling power in a truck would have been in the toilet.
Lugnut
Calvin - 02 Jul 2007 20:08 GMT
> In any case, the E4OD as bad as the early ones were before
> being rebuilt to the late specs was still superior to any of
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Lugnut
Lugnut,
I have a 95 Bronco with the E4OD and often saw this line repeated when
I first researched it 6 months ago. Would I be correct in assuming
that my E4OD has all the updates that are available? What is the
track record of the last years of the E4OD? I hear it's better, but
not exactly how good. Mine just turned over 100K and I don't tow so I
am hoping it will outlast the body. That shouldn't be too tough for a
Ford truck :).
Calvin
lugnut - 02 Jul 2007 22:55 GMT
>> In any case, the E4OD as bad as the early ones were before
>> being rebuilt to the late specs was still superior to any of
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
>Calvin
The '95 already had the most critical updates done. There
were tweaks right up thru the '97 model including changing
the pump from 5 to 7 lobes to increase delivery and reduce
noise. In '98 or so it was updated and the torque capacity
increased along with the model designation to the 4R100
which has continued to develop. My '93 went down about 138K
after towing an 11k outfit 4 round trips in the mountains.
Even then, it was the torque converter started slipping and
shuddering. The rest of the trans was like new. I went
ahead and did all of the updates and beefed it with a
forward clutch pack from a diesel unit stuffed full of
plates and a couple of other items, and installed a shift
kit. Last year if was pulled to replace the rear crank seal
and I installed a seal kit at 220K just because it was
already there and easy to do at the time. We have a '94
Bronco with the 5.8L and E4OD with just over 160K with no
problems. It has been used for a few cross country tows
weing in around 6K. It has always had a hude cooler
installed and regular service. It also has a minor upgrade
shift kit installed to give it a little pressure boost.
Service is the life of the later units. It should be done
every 25-30k miles without fail. More critical - more often
if you tow.
BTW, if you have not already had to replace the strut
bushings, you can greatly improve the driving and tighten up
the steering with urathane bushings. I couldn't believe the
difference when we installed them the first time. Well
worth the couple of extra bucks. Imention this because
yours are probably well overdue especially on the right side
if you have not already had the replaced. Ever notice it
dart a little when you hit a pothole or hit the brakes?
Cheers
Lugnut
Calvin - 03 Jul 2007 14:39 GMT
> Service is the life of the later units. It should be done
> every 25-30k miles without fail. More critical - more often
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Cheers
> Lugnut
That's good to hear. I did a complete purge and filter change at 100K
but I am not sure what it saw before under the P.O.s. I plan to put a
drain plug on it at 125K.
By struts do you mean the radius arms? I had to replace the drivers
side bracket and bushings at 95K because the P.O. let it go so long.
He thought the knocking noise was a bad CV joint. I guess the whole
RWD concept was lost on him >:(. The passenger side still seems to be
serviceable and I have no interst and tearing into that beast just to
have a look. And yes, that bushing does make the TTB Watusi even
worse than usual.
Calvin
lugnut - 03 Jul 2007 20:14 GMT
>> Service is the life of the later units. It should be done
>> every 25-30k miles without fail. More critical - more often
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
>Calvin
Radius arm is what Ford calls them I use the terms
interchangeable simply because so many around here have no
idea what a radius arm may be. Unless they are really bad,
having a look doesn't do much. They make noise and degrade
steering/drive quality long before you can "see" a problem.
Another problem to watch in that Bronco is a thump under the
floor after you stop moderately and release the brake to
start again. That is usually the drive shafe slip joint at
the rear of the trans. Usual fix is remove drive shaft and
lube splines with EP grease.
Lugnut
N8N - 06 Jul 2007 17:07 GMT
> On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:39:30 -0000, Calvin
>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>
> Lugnut
I have a bit of that; do you mean the spline in the middle of the
driveshaft with the grease fitting or the actual slip yoke?
Also, what's your opinion of polyurethane strut rod/axle pivot
bushings? Worthwhile upgrade, or no? Seem to be about the same price
as rubber and at some point I will probably want to replace them.
nate
lugnut - 06 Jul 2007 17:37 GMT
>> On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:39:30 -0000, Calvin
>>
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
>I have a bit of that; do you mean the spline in the middle of the
>driveshaft with the grease fitting or the actual slip yoke?
The slip joint which is a problem is the one in the rear of
the transmission. The center joint has a zerk fitting from
the factory. might want to check the rubber bushing around
the center bearing to be sure it remains intact.
>Also, what's your opinion of polyurethane strut rod/axle pivot
>bushings? Worthwhile upgrade, or no? Seem to be about the same price
>as rubber and at some point I will probably want to replace them.
It is my opinion that the polyurethane bushings are the only
way to go. I would not replace still good factory bushings
but replacements are well worth the small extra expense.
The polyurethane bushings dramatically tightened his hearing
and improve driving quality over worn factory bushings. be
advised that the polyurethane bushings will transmit
slightly more road noise and harshness.
Cheers
Lugnut
>nate