Accumulator Plate Failure

[TMyers]

Yesterday was service day for my truck. Oil and filter, both fuel filters and transmission service with a AusTex rebuilt valve body and a new BD deep pan. When I pulled my VB, I found the furthest back accumulator had pushed the head off of one of the screws and the other had backed almost out. It had also pushed the seal out. The only thing holding the accumulator from coming completely out was it hitting the inside of the transmission case. Never had a code or felt any issues with shifting. I was told by AusTex that it is a common failure. Truck has 140K miles.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yep, typical failure point on the 68RFE that has to be addressed. If a trans tune that raises the pressure is used they go faster. Usually it doesn't get caught until it torches the clutch packs from bleeding pressure off.

 

[TMyers]

Yep, typical failure point on the 68RFE that has to be addressed. If a trans tune that raises the pressure is used they go faster. Usually it doesn't get caught until it torches the clutch packs from bleeding pressure off.

This was the "Low/Reverse" accumulator port that blew out. I never felt a thing in shifting into gear or reverse. My fluid smelled fine and barely enough sediment to write your name in the pan. Maybe I dodged a bullet.

 

[cerberusiam]

If you were lucky it did leak much in 1 and R and it just happened. That retainer plate and the accumulators are junk, plastic and soft metal. Best thing you could do for the trans is replace the VB with all the fixes and updates done before it causes a failure. Top of the line VB is around $1000, a 68REF rebuild is around $5000, relatively chepa insurance. Zero flew VB with a heavy aluminum pan to stiffen the trans as whole is about the best you can do without dropping the trans.