Automatic transmission brake band adjustment (Every 24 000 miles (40 000 km) or 2 years)

Note: A brake band torque wrench - Ford tool No 17-005, or a conventional torque wrench and a splined socket of suitable size to fit the square section head of the adjuster screw(s) will be required for this operation.

1 For improved access, apply the handbrake, then jack up the front of the vehicle and support on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle support”).

2 The brake band adjuster screw(s) is/are situated on the left-hand side of the transmission housing, forward of the kickdown lever. Note that the C3 type transmission has a single adjuster screw for adjustment of the front brake band, whereas the A4LD type transmission has two adjuster screws for adjustment of the front and intermediate brake bands (see illustration).

40.2 Brake band adjustment - A4LD type transmission
40.2 Brake band adjustment - A4LD type transmission

A Adjuster screws B Locknuts
C Kickdown lever

3 Disconnect the kickdown cable from the kickdown lever on the transmission housing.

4 Loosen the locknut on the front brake band adjuster screw, and back off the adjuster screw several turns.

5 Using the Ford special tool or a suitable equivalent, tighten the adjuster screw to the specified torque, then back off the screw two complete turns, and tighten the locknut.

Ensure that the adjuster screw does not turn as the locknut is tightened.

6 Repeat the procedure given in paragraphs 4 and 5 for the remaining adjuster screw on A4LD type transmissions, but on all models where the part number on the transmission identification tag starts with “88” (see illustration)

40.6 Transmission identification tag with part number starting with “88”
40.6 Transmission identification tag with part number starting with “88”

and additionally on all 1.8 CVH engine models, the adjuster screw should be backed off two and a half turns after tightening to the specified torque. On all other models, the adjuster screw should be backed off two turns.

7 Reconnect the kickdown cable, and lower the vehicle to the ground on completion.

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