TBF Tech : A Guide to 
4 Speed Auto SERVICING 
 Related Pages on www.trueblueford.com :  TBF tech, Drive Train Forum Discussion. 
General Falcon, Fairlane & LTD based discussion  HERE.

To ask questions relating to this document, CLICK HERE.

(NAVIGATION: Page 5, Page 4, Page 3, Page 2, Page 1, back to TBF Tech)

A special thanks to Shane Arnold of TRUEBLUEFORD & Joe from Crescent Motors for his assistance in producing this article.

PART 1:

APPLICABILITY:  

This tech doco applies to 4 speed autos as fitted to Falcons, Fairlanes & LTDs from EA to BF.  The subject that was recorded for this particular documentation was that fitted to a 1999 AU series 1 Futura.  The following covers a "full flush" including oil contained in the torque converter.

DISCLAIMER:  

Trueblueford takes no responsibility for differences between individual models, or a person's inability to replicate these results shown here.  TBF strongly recommends, if a person is at all unsure of how to safely or reliably complete the tasks detailed here in any way, shape or form - that they refrain from attempting to do so and refer this job to a qualified professional.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

With the potential for oil spillage & the problem posed by the incorrect disposal of waste oil products into the environment, we strongly recommend that you be aware of your local disposal points BEFORE attempting this task.  Please take care while completing this task also, for as you will see - the potential for oil spillage is quite high, resulting not only in unsightly stains on the concrete but also potential for oil to enter the storm-water system effecting the environment and those creatures which use it.

INTRODUCTION:

The 4 speed auto as fitted to Falcons, Fairlanes & LTDs throughout the 90's and early 21st century, whilst being critically acclaimed for it's silky smooth performance (with more than a few examples being selected for life within Maseratti's) it was a fragile customer requiring more than it's fair share of TLC along the way.

To make matters worse, some owners were given the story that the gearbox was "sealed for life" and therefore did not need servicing!  

And as if that wasn't enough, owners from AU onwards were told that their gearboxes only needed an auxiliary oil cooler if they had the 2300kg tow kit fitted - and that vehicles fitted with the 1600kg version were fine without.  Unfortunately experience soon told a different story, with owners who were smart enough to ignore Ford's recommendations finding the oil in their gearboxes turning black as low as every 50,000km.

 

 

FORUM: What information, if any, were you given by Ford about the servicing requirements - or need for a transmission cooler while towing - with your 4-speed auto?

FORUM: How often have you chosen to have your auto serviced, and what colour did the oil come out?

The vehicle in the following account had been serviced at 60,000kms, then at 120,000kms - so at the time of this article being at 230,000kms was well overdue for a tranny service!  It had spent this time without an auxiliary oil cooler and both times the auto had been serviced, the oil had come out black.  

You will need prior to commencing:

Right: in this case, we plonked straight for a 20L container of the red stuff knowing we had a full flush to do...but a 5L will do if you only plan to change the oil in the box itself...

Below:  And...a service kit containing new filter, oil pan seal & filter neck seal (see second below to see contents)

To ask questions relating to this document, CLICK HERE.

And...a service kit containing new filter, oil pan seal & filter neck seal  - say 'OPEN, SESAME!' & see below...

The following are some basic tools you should consider having before attempting this task:

  •  You will need a 10mm socket and ratchet (or a 10mm T handled socket.) 

  • A 5/8" single hex socket preferably in 1/2" drive. 

  • A couple of different extension bars, 

  • A breaker bar for the 5/8 socket. 

  • - And preferably a pair of long nosed pliers to help remove and replace the filter clip. 

  • You may also need a hammer and suitable drift to straighten the pan. 

  • Oh, and you will need some thing to collect the old oil in!

You'll also need a gearbox oil plunger / syringe to fill the gearbox once you're all done - without it you'll be going nowhere (unless you decide to tip the vehicle on it's roof and fill it from there!)

Related Pages on www.trueblueford.com :  TBF tech, Drive Train Forum Discussion. 
Discuss these cars and more by clicking HERE.

To ask questions relating to this document, CLICK HERE.

And with that you're just about ready to go onto PART 2...

(NAVIGATION: Page 5, Page 4, Page 3, Page 2, Page 1, back to TBF Tech)



 

All information, graphics and other intellectual property that appears on this website, and the pages within are copyrighted by True Blue Ford and it's owner/operators. Reproducing, whether in part, or wholly is expressly forbidden, without prior written consent, as stated in the Commonwealth of Australia's Copyright Act, 1968.

Text on this page by Duggy & macxr8.  All photos on this page copyright Duggy.

All forum posts are the opinions of the original authors and may not represent the opinion of trueblueford.com or its administrators

Section headers & nav bar by zardos_demon.