Disassembly & Assembly: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and 2003 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: If new plates are used, they should be soaked in clean automatic transmission fluid for at least 30 minutes before assembly.

NOTE: If the seals on the forward clutch piston show any signs of damage, a new forward clutch piston must be installed.

NOTE: Inspect the clutch components for damage or wear. Install new components as necessary.

Check the fluid passages for obstructions. All fluid passages must be clean and free of obstructions.
Inspect the clutch plates for damage.
Inspect the clutch springs.
Inspect the needle bearing and seal rings for damage.
Check clutch hub thrust surfaces for damage.
Check clutch plates for flatness and fit on the clutch hub serrations.

Disassemble the components in the order indicated in the following illustration and table.

Fig 1: Disassembling & Assembling Forward Clutch Components
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.