4f27e rebuild

[Diesel]

does any one here have any evperience with rebuilding thefirst gen focus auto transmissions.

I've built 700r4's, escort 5 speeds, spicer 7speeds, and some work to eaton fuller 10 speeds. But nothing on fwd auti transmissions.

Mide pooped out something solid and was wondering if it was an overly complicated transmission to rebuild or should I be able to tackle it. I didn't really see any special tools listed in mitchel.

[Sponsor]

[whynotthinkwhynot]

I doubt it is all that complicated. Ford transmissions tend to be fairly simple as far as transmissions go.

Have you called or contacted Lentech? They are the people who build transmissions like the one that 1TurboFocus uses in his 700 hp drag Focus. Their website used to talk about the 4F27e, but I don't think it mentions it now. Even so, I bet they still would be willing to share knowledge or build a transmission. The price wasn't horrible as far as race transmissions go. It's not cheap when comparing it to TCI over the counter built transmissions for RWD, but it is cheap when compared to a custom built transmission.

[elsolo]

I would just swap it out with s low mileage used unit, then explore rebuilding the brken unit w/o the pressure of a time constraint.

You will likely need to order parts twice: first the known parts for a rebuild and the broken hard parts, then the correct thickness snap-rings after you begin the assembly and can measure clearances.

I would start with one of these, familiarize yourself with it before you dig in.

[Diesel]

I was gonna order that. I don't have any "low mileage" units close. they want $650 300+ miles away and a local rebuild is like $1000 and I have like $100 to spare right now.

[amc49]

There is a gear in there that does not come off without a lot of torque, like 350 ft.lbs. or somesuch. Don't undo it if it still spins smoothly. It uses a crush washer to re-set-up and the gear must turn within a certain spec like pinion in rear end.

If you change any part that affects overall main shaft length then you MUST re-set-up the end bearing/case preloads, special tools required to do that as well as removing the gear I spoke of earlier. Other than that very simple transmission........... that manual will show you what I post here.

Modern transmissions do not set up mainshaft end plays with like shims anymore, they commonly use tapered roller bearings which have to preload like oldschool rear end parts. They last longer but much harder to be able to correctly set them up in the field. Why Ford and others now change complete trans instead of rebuilding themselves. They don't wanna screw with it and easier to find someone else to blame when things go wrong.

[Diesel]

I'd seen that nut in mitchel. Mitchel said to take it apart.

Not trying to build a race transmission. this thing only races to grocery store and back.

Just don't have the $1000+ for a rebuid

I've build 700r4 (back in the day) cdl 7-10 speeds and the escort MXT.
So I was curious as to how hard/easy these were. I'll probally give it a try.

[amc49]

Rebuilders generally leave that nut alone if the assembly still spins smooth, the instructions tell them to in one of the two main aftermarket manuals, I can't remember the other one although I have them both. How to do it is in the back of book but obvious you don't do it unless necessary. That manual is not as good as the one picced here anyway. This one includes some solenoid diagnosis, the other strictly rebuild only and as basic as possible, for 4 year olds.

No different from oldschool stuff. I've done ATX and CD4E to last for years and with no specialized training at all. You simply pay attention to details and use the manual for clearancing. Biggest problem with these is getting around special tooling needed to check those clearances or preloads. I used a piece of surface plate, dial calipers, telescoping hole gauges, and mag based dial indicator to replace the $250 toolset needed on the CD4E, you just gotta figure out other ways to do things.

[rotarypwr]

It is a easy build. Make sure to inspect back cover bearings and sealing rings twice. Also pay attention to reverse drum and piston.

[rotarypwr]

And also depending on whats wrong. (Reverse o.d. issue) I repair the back half of this trans in vehicle. Drop trans mount and back mount drop down remove line and back cover and reverse drum can be removed.. oh yea remove band first too.

[amc49]

Yes, that end cover can wear around the lands and sealing rings since it supports one end of rotating mass there. The gear support in the middle splits the mass into two parts, easier to pull the end to do at least one end of it. The CD4E had no center support and the support hub was so long that there was no way to pull cover to do work. It comes off easy enough but almost impossible to get back in because so many parts have to be relined up to mesh.