from

Volume 6, Issue 2 / Second Quarter, 2000

Larger Turbine Shaft O-Ring Added to 4L60E

1998-up Camaro and Firebird models
with the LS1 aluminum V-8 engine and
the new generation Silverado and
Sierra now use a larger O-ring for the
turbine shaft. TransTec #17859 (OE
#24212987), which is reddish brown in
color, will be added to all 4L60E
gasket sets and overhaul kits with a
date code of BOO or later.

In This Issue...

TransTec #17859 OE
#24212987
Turbine Shaft O-Ring

Turbine Shaft

Updated Clutch Seal

for A518/46 & 47RH/RL

Our Troubleshooter article

provides insight into Ford 4F27E
and Mazda FN4A-EL transaxles.
See Page 3.
Wider base direct clutch seal
added to A518/46 and 47RH/RL.
See cover article.
Larger turbine shaft O-ring added
to 4L60 gasket sets and overhaul
kits. See cover article.
Vehicle harness to case seal added
to gasket sets and overhaul kits for
1993 Chrysler A606 and 42LE
transaxles. See cover article.
1994 Volkswagen/Audi clutch
designs make a difference when
installing piston kits. See page 6.
New extension housing seal
available for Nissan RE4R01A.
See back cover.

.130
1989-UP
O.E. #3410226
TransTec #28023
Molded Lip Seal

Base Dimension

Input Housing

Vehicle
Harness Seal
Added to A606/42LE

.170
1989-UP
UPDATE SEAL
TransTec #28313
Machined Lip Seal

Since April of 1999, all TransTec

gasket sets and overhaul kits have contained an updated seal for the direct (front)
clutch in the A518/46 and 47RH/RL.
This seal, with its wider base,
compensates for a groove that has
possibly been machined incorrectly
from the factory. It has been proven in
extensive field testing to correct delay
in reverse, slipping 2-3, and no 2-3
complaints.
TransTec #28313 is made of viton to
resist wear and heat deterioration. All
TransTec kits with a date code of E99
or later contain the new part.

TransTec is pleased to announce the

addition of the Vehicle Harness to case
seal for the 1993-up Chrysler A606 &
42LE automatic transaxles.
TransTecs new seal #32795 will
be included in all gasket sets and
overhaul kits with a date code of C99
or later. Designed to keep dirt and
other contaminants out and transmission fluid in, this seal should be an
integral part of any transaxle repair
operation.

TROUBLESHOOTER
Ford 4F27E and Mazda FN4A-EL
Front Wheel Drive 4-Speed Transaxle
Tony Darr, TransTec Transmission Technician

only the brand monikers are left to

A couple go through a period of
identify the two different vehicles. It
time during their courtship when each
seems now that Ford and Mazda have
has their own thoughts, opinions,
come to that point in their relationship
choices and decisions. The balance of
that the decisions and choices are being
the relationship usually depends on
made by one rather than two. This new
how the second party reacts to what the
transaxle is a case in point. Being
first party has done or is preparing to
referred to as the 4F27E by Ford,
do. Disagreements, concessions,
FN4A-EL by Mazda and simply the
cooperation, understanding and
FN by the engineering staff. It is a
forgiveness are all required to make a
joint venture of Ford and
lasting endeavor. Now,
Mazda to create a front
the two parties decide to
wheel drive four-speed
make this final,
It seems now that
transaxle for the 1999
forever...a marriage.
Ford and Mazda
Protege and the 2000
Plans are made, dates are
Focus.
have
come
to
that
set, bachelor and
bachelorette parties are
point in their
Something Old...
arranged and the wheels
relationship that
Four forward speeds,
are set in motion. For the
a
reverse
gear and an
girls it doesnt end there.
the decisions and
electronically controlled
They all get together and
choices are being
converter clutch, do not
collect things to bring
seem to make this unit
made by one
the new couple many
deviate too far from
years of good luck and
rather than two.
todays norm. Fully
prosperity. Something
electronic controlled shift
old, something new,
patterns with a manual O/D cancel
something borrowed and something
option, a hydraulic fail-safe of Park,
blue are gathered for the bride to wear,
Reverse, Neutral and Third gear are all
hold or otherwise adorn her person and/
standard fair on this unit. Two sets of
or her surroundings. The ceremony is
compound planetaries for the gear train,
performed, vows and tokens of endearwith the output carrier/input ring gear
ment are exchanged and a party is thrown
splined to the primary final drive gear.
to celebrate the two becoming one.
This in turn is meshed with a transfer
Well, the courtship between Ford
gear and that is then meshed with the
Motor Company and Mazda has been
ring gear of the differential. Four
long and sometimes turbulent yet the
multiple disk clutch packs - Reverse, 3-4,
two are still together. Jatcos, CD4Es,
Forward and Low/Reverse - a single
G4s, F4s A4LDs, the late model
wrap band for second & fourth and a
4R44 and 55Es and even the 5R55Es
sprag/one way clutch for low &
have all been mixed and mingled
reverse. Looks pretty complicated
between the two makes. Sometimes
to do, wink, wink.

Something New...
Heres where the path gets a little
dark and mysterious. No separate
piston lip seals are to be found here. All
the pistons are of the bonded lip type
and guess what... Freudenberg-NOK or
NOK of Japan make them all! OK, OK
thats not entirely true, Chicago Rawhide does make the Low Reverse piston.
The servo piston, ALL the PLASTIC
sealing rings, valve body gaskets and,
get this, the pressure control solenoid
are all produced by FNGP/NOK in one
form or another.
There are six solenoids mounted on
the solenoid body, one EPC, two On/Off
types and three PWM solenoids.
Something really new about the electronics of this unit is that the PCM now
sends the power signal to the solenoid
rather than the ground. Just something
to remember when getting out your test
light and jumper wires! The PWM
solenoids act directly upon the applied
elements and regulate the feel of each
shift. After the shift has occurred, the
PCM strategy for the solenoids changes
to a simple On/Off operation.
The two On/Off solenoids combine
for TCC operation. They also combine
for changing the source of fluid feeding
the forward clutch during TCC operation. Without a hydraulic diagram
available, this IS hard to understand.
The valve body assemblies are the
easiest of all. A three-tier set up; the
lower body, which contains only three
valves, the center has only six and the
upper only houses the shift solenoids.
Thats only nine valves total with the

manual valve included. Plus, this is the

first valve body assembly by Ford or
Mazda with no checkballs, orifices,
check valves or other restrictions.
Thats right none, nada, zip, zilch so
much for that picture to take up space!

B
C
D

G
E

Something Borrowed...
F

Since this was a joint venture

between Ford and Mazda there are a
few items borrowed from each others
transmission or transaxle designs. The
Low/Reverse clutch and hub assembly
design is borrowed from the C-6/
E4OD. The internal gear is part of the
hub on the 4F27E. The Reverse/3-4
clutch drum assembly bears a striking
resemblance to the F4A-EL and G4AELs design. The Low/Reverse one way clutch is of typical Ford design,
however, it splines - not bolts - into the
case only one way to allow the lube
passages to line up. The pump is a
simple lightweight gear type borrowed
from...hmm; lightweight,
simple...borrowed from Mazda. Now
even with all the design borrowing
going on, each marquee has there own
individualities. Mazda uses an O-ring
on the pump while Ford uses a lathe cut
seal. Ford uses metal cased axle seals
while Mazda uses rubber cased seals.
The Reverse piston for the Ford Focus
is taller than the one used in the Mazda
Protege.

A) Input speed sensor

B) Line fitting - to cooler
C) Band anchor bolt
D) Line fitting - from cooler
E) Manual lever position sensor
F) Case connector
G) Line pressure tap

Solenoid body: On the top row are the PWM

solenoids - notice the three O-rings per unit.
Bottom row, from the left, the two On/Off
solenoids and the EPC solenoid. The EPC
solenoid has only one O-ring while the others
require two. The separator plate gaskets are
different for the solenoid body. The screened
gasket goes between the body and the plate;
the thin non-screened gasket goes between
the plate and the main valve body.

B C D
A B
A
E
H

A) Output speed sensor

B) Ford applications - axle seal
Mazda applications use a
rubber-cased seal

A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

F) 2-4 Servo Apply

Lube
G) Reverse Clutch
Converter
H) 3-4 Clutch
Lube
Forward. Clutch I) Low/Reverse Clutch
2-4 Servo Release

A
B

Something Blue...

F
E
D

OK, heres where I have to stretch it

a little bit! The common ground wire
for the PWM solenoids A & C is
blue, the connector for PWM solenoid
B is blue, the ground wire for the
EPC solenoid is blue, the Ford oval is
still blue and I will assume the Focus
and the Protege both can be ordered in
BLUE!

A)
B)
C)
D)

PWM solenoid B, brown & green wires

PWM solenoid C, blue & black wires
PWM solenoid A, blue & green wires
Pressure control solenoid (EPC),
blue & orange wires
E) On/Off solenoid D, single white wire
F) On/Off solenoid E, single purple wire
G) Transmission fluid temp. Sensor,
two yellow wires

Second and fourth servo assembly, showing

also the O-ring seal for the cover. Look closely
at your servo, youll see the FN logo!

Upper accumulator piston and springs for the

servo apply. Lower, forward accumulator
piston and springs. The servo accumulator
springs are of the same height, while the
forward outer spring is taller than the inner.

Once the drums are removed from the rear

of the case, you will find the Low/Reverse
clutch assembly, reverse hub and one-way
clutch. When viewed like this, the drum is
allowed to rotate counter clockwise and is
locked clockwise.

With the converter housing and the pump

removed you can now see the forward clutch
drum and shaft.

D
C

This is what youll find with the rear cover

removed. A shows the selective washer/
bearing race. B is the 3-4 clutch sealing
rings. C reverse clutch sealing rings. D
2-4 band assembly. E O-ring seals for the
fluid apply passages between the case and
cover. PS, The sealing rings are made by NOK
of Japan

The gear train is comprised of two compound

planetary sets. From the left, rear carrier,
front planet sun gear, front planet carrier/
rear planet ring gear, rear planet ring gear part of the reverse drum assembly.

Clean and simple! Gear type fluid pump and

forward clutch sealing rings. Thats right,
NOK makes the rings!

Remove the reverse drum assembly and find

the inner race of the one-way clutch splined to
the case. The splines are made so there is
only one way to install the race - with the lube
holes lined up!

Once the forward drum is pulled out the clutch

hub is left behind. A retained by a wire
retaining clip on the front sun gear B, the
forward clutch hub is a P.I.T.A. to remove!

NEWS

REBUILDER

This is the mess youll find in the reverse/3-4

clutch drum. Bonded pistons everywhere!
The larger one to the right is the reverse, the
smaller two piece assembly is for 3-4. The
sun gear for the rear planetary is at the far left
and it lugs into the reverse/3-4 drum.

Laura Nemeth, Editor

Rebuilder News is dedicated to providing current technical information to the automatic
transmission rebuilder. Readers comments/suggestions are welcome. Write: Editor,
Rebuilder News, 11617 State Route 13, Milan, Ohio 44846, or e-mail: ln@fngp.com. All
rights reserved. 1999 Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership. Reproduction without prior
written permission is prohibited.

Forward clutch assembly. Guess what...

More bonded pistons!
Main
valve body

Main valve body, lower section

A) Manual valve
B) By-pass valve, plain spring - light
C) Solenoid valve, orange spring - heavy

A
F

Main valve body, upper section.

A) 2-4 servo apply fluid seal
B) Low/reverse clutch feed seal

A) Solenoid valve, steel, plain spring - heavy

B) Third lock-up valve, plain spring - light
C) by-pass valve, plain spring - light
D) Third lock up valve, plain spring - light
(This is not a misprint!)
E) Accumulator valve and spring
F) Solenoid shift valve, yellow spring-medium
G) Regulator valve, green spring - medium

Note the spring for the by-pass valve is the

same as B, C, & D of the main body.
The solenoid valve is the same as the one
used in the main body; the springs are
different lengths.

Notice that B & D are the same valve, B.

C. & D use the same spring and that the
solenoid valve is the only steel valve here.

1994 Volkswagen/Audi Clutch Designs Make a Difference

Volkswagen has two different K1
(1st-3rd) clutch and K3 (4th) clutch
assembly designs that make a difference when ordering piston kits.

TransTec Bonded Piston Kit #4768

Snap Ring

Spring

All information from Volkswagen

shows the early design from 1990-94
and the late design from 1995-up, but
we have received several field reports
that show both the early and late
designs were used in 1994.

An illustration of both the early

and late design of the K1 and K3
clutch assemblies is provided to aid in
identification.
Use TransTec kit #4768 for the early
design and kit #4860 for the late design.

Snap Ring
Snap
Ring
Spring

To ensure receiving the correct

piston kit for a 1994 application, it is
best to know which design your unit
has.

Cushion
Rings

Spring
Retainer

Piston

Snap
Ring

Sealing
Rings

TransTec Bonded Piston Kit #4860

Spring

Snap
Ring

Molded
Spring
Retainer

Molded
Spring
Retainer

Spring
Piston

Spring

Sealing
Rings

Piston

Piston
K1
Clutch
Housing

K1 Clutch
Housing

1st-3rd Clutch
(K1) Early

K3
Clutch
Housing

4th Gear Clutch

(K3) Early

1st-3rd Clutch
(K1) Late

K3
Clutch
Housing

4th Gear Clutch

(K3) Late

A & Reds Transmission Parts

Wichita, KS
Kansas City, MO

Authorized Full-Line Distributors

APD Transmission Parts

Atlanta, GA
Marietta, GA
Raleigh, NC
Jackson, MS
Jacksonville, FL
ATC Distribution Group
HTP
Louisville, KY
Charlotte, NC
Grand Rapids, MI Taylor, MI
King-O-Matic
Calgary, AL
Mississauga, ON
Montreal, PQ
Metran
Jericho, NY

Regina, SK
Vancouver, BC

ATG Auto Trans Group, Inc.

Calgary, AB
Edmonton, AB
Vancouver, BC
Aceomatic Recon
Orange, CA
El Cajon, CA
Simi Valley, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Jose, CA
Denver, CO
Lexington, NC

Phoenix, AZ
Kent, WA
Pittsburgh, PA
Upper Marlboro, MD
Cincinnati, OH
Shrewsbury, MA

Caltrans
Sun Valley, CA
D&E Automotive Sales
Hazel Park, MI
Lincoln Park, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Willoughby, OH

Philadelphia, PA

RPM
Phoenix, AZ
Van Nuys, CA
Tucson, AZ
Colorado Springs, CO
Azusa, CA
Denver, CO
Fresno, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA Albuquerque, NM
San Leandro, CA Portland, OR
Sacramento, CA
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San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
San Jose, CA
Spokane, WA
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Repco
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Austin, TX

Orlando, FL
San Antonio, TX

RPM/HTP
Atlanta, GA
Creve Coeur, MO
Kansas City, MO
Springfield, MO

Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
Norfolk, VA

Dean Transmission
Agawam, MA

Pennsauken, NJ

Fatsco
Fairfield, NJ
Mid States Transmission Parts
Davenport, IA
Natpro
Los Angeles, CA
Las Vegas, NV

Concord, CA
Phoenix, AZ

Oklahoma Transmission Supply

Oklahoma City, OK Tulsa, OK
Denver, CO

Trans Mart
Dallas, TX
Florence, AL
Jacksonville, FL

Norfolk, VA
St. Louis, MO
Forest Park, OH

Transtar Cleveland, OH
Addison, IL
Mesquite, TX
Bensenville, IL
Nashua, NH
Birmingham, AL
Sacramento, CA
Cincinnati, OH
Sarasota, FL
Denver, CO
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Edison, NJ
Spokane, WA
Harahan, LA
Tucker, GA
Houston, TX
VanNuys, CA
Lindenhurst, NY
Yauco, PR
Livonia, MI

Tranzparts
Hillside, IL

Janesville, WI

T.P.S.
Texarkana, TX
Little Rock, AR
Shreveport, LA

Tr a n s Te c h n i c a l B u l l e t i n

New Extension Housing Seal for Nissan RE4R01A

(1999-Up Nissan Pathfinders with 2-Wheel Drive)
1999-up Nissan Pathfinders with 2-wheel drive
use a new extension housing seal. The seal
along with the bushing and drive shaft yoke
was made larger to accommodate more torque.
This seal will be offered in bulk only under
part number 29715 (OEM #31375-51X01).
This seal is made by NOK.

2150 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44114-4080

The same seal is used in the Lexus Q45

vehicle with an RE4R03A
transmission.

TransTec #29715
OEM #31375-51X01

BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CLEVELAND, OHIO
PERMIT NO. 1

Address Service Requested

Aftermarket Division