Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) transmission Band Adjustment

[Oil Ape]

I have over 100,000 miles and I don't think the bands have ever been adjusted on this transmission. According to the instructions, it doesn't sound that bad to check. Besides, with the holidays coming up soon I should have some time to work on it.



My questions are: Is the transmission going to perform any different once they are tighted up? What symptoms does it have when they are too loose?



I have just considered the stock transmission to be a "Slush o'matic" My truck just doesn't seem to have the positive shifts that my fathers 96' has, but he has half the miles and I know his transmission has been adjusted a couple of times.

 

[DavidGardner]

Oil Ape

Glade you asked this question. I have 140. 000 miles on my auto transmission. I took it to DTT at 89,000miles and had them work their magic on my trans. Works real good but nothing was ever mentioned about band adj. I too am wondering if I need to do this periodicaly (sp) and if so how big of a job is it. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[illflem]

One of the transmission gurus here said that you're better off with loose bands than with too tight bands that will cause rapid wear. Unless you are getting a big jerk in first and reverse gear shifts don't mess with adjustment. Last time I adjusted mine was at 24k, haven't done it since at 188k.

 

[DavidGardner]

Thanks Bill

Your advice is always timely and accurate. I will not worry about it anymore.

YOU THE MAN!



Dave G.

 

[Oil Ape]

One thing I don't like about my transmission is when I pull onto a steep hill, like my driveway, it kind of hesitates a second before dropping into the correct gear at slow speeds. So for a moment I have no momentum and if i stick my foot in it I would seriously "clunk" the transmission. Instead, I just back out of it a little and let the transmission take it's own time deciding what gear it wants. I was hoping the band adjustment might fix that.

 

[Joe G.]

A band adjustment might help that. The bands are really thin so there is no wear to condsider. The adjustment really is to set the shift behavior. Too tight and you get the situation where the band does not let got before the clutches grab. That results in a bind for a short period. Not good. Too loose and the band lets go before the clutches grab and there is a short period where nothing is holding so it appears to slip.

 

[keimmmo]

I'm not certain that this will apply to the new overdrive transmissions, but I assume it will since they are still basically a 727 torqueflight. When I worked for a Chrysler Dealer back years ago, I was taught that if you grab the arm that tightens the band and pull down... if there is greater than 1/4 inch of play, adjust the band. If it is about 1/4 inch or less, leave it alone. It is easy to pull them down and get an idea of how things are going every time you drop the pan for a filter/fluid change. I also agree that within reason, better a little loose than a little tight.



Even if this is off, adjust the bands by the book and take note of the play. After than you can still just grab the arm and check to see how loose they are.



Steve

 

[Joe G.]

Steve,



That is how Bill K. recommends doing the adjustment. Use a 1/4" allen wrench as a feeler gage.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

Here is an answer that Bill K gave on his website:



http://www.dieseltrans.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=127

 

[bmoeller]

I adjusted my bands a couple of months after I bought my truck. Had about 142k on it and they hadn't ever been touched. They were really loose. It seemed to help some but not a whole lot.



According to my Haynes book it says for the '97:



Front (kickdown) band- Tighten to 72 in/lbs then back off 2 7/8ths turns.



Rear (low-reverse) band- Tighten to 72 in/lbs then back off 2 turns.



I backed both bands off one extra full turn, then tightened the jam nuts.



Wrenches that used on my truck were- for the FRONT band- 3/4" wrench and a 5/16ths, 8pt. socket. REAR band- 9/16ths wrench and a 1/4" six point socket.



Hope this helps.