carolinatim

My 2000 F 150 with the 4r70w transmission is not shifting from 2-3rd. I changed the shift and TCC solenoids last weekend but still have the problem. I think the issue is possibly a broken 2-3 accumulator spring. From watching videos I see that I have to remove the valve body to get to it. My question is: Can I do this in my garage without screwing something up? My fear is taking the valve body off and a bunch of stuff falling all over the place and I have no idea where it goes to reassemble. Any advice is appreciated.

the01kingranch

If you can do it? it's all up to your amount of knowledge and carefulness. I can tell if you could or not. Could a buddy of mine do it? Yes with his eyes closed. Could my mother do it? Most certainly not. You said you have already looked at videos so it's all up to you know. When my tranny went out I bought a new one.... if your funds allow that's what I would go with.

carolinatim

I'm pretty sure I have the ability to do it unless there is something I do not know about. I'm also not 100% sure that a broken 2-3 accumulator spring will cause my problem since I have read of people leaving that spring out completely for firmer shifts. Just trying to save a couple grand if it's not necessary to rebuild the entire transmission.

B-ManFX4

If you can turn a wrench and follow along on a few videos you can probably save yourself some money.

4R70W Rebuild Kits

Pictures, videos and advice / comments can be found in this thread :

F150Online Transmission Rebuild Thread

carolinatim

Thanks for that info B-ManFX4 but there's no way I am doing anything more than dropping the valve body, I'm doing this in the floor of my garage and don't have the room/tools/confidence to do any more than that. I'm just hoping that I can get the old girl running again with the accumulator piston and spring replacement. I've watched several videos but they all have the transmission out of the truck and upside down, so when they take off the valve body nothing can fall out. I am expecting the little filter and possibly the 2-3 accumulator cover to fall out but hopefully nothing else when the valve body comes down.

B-ManFX4

If the 4R70W is anything like the 4R100 that was in my Lightning you can drop the valve body without having anything fall out. I replaced the valve body and it was extremely easy.

carolinatim

Took it all apart today and found the problem, this is a picture of what is left of my 2-3 accumulator spring. No wonder I had no third gear. Tomorrow I will replace the fluid and test drive, I hope I put it all back together correctly.

carolinatim

Test drive went fine, nice smooth shifts like when it was new. I think I just saved myself $2000, the shop said I needed a rebuild for $2300. I have about $120 invested in parts and fluid.

At the risk of my own embarrassment I do have one piece of advice for others, it is possible to get the tip of the dipstick caught between the valve body and the transmission case when reinstalling the valve body. I went to pull the dipstick to fill it with fluid and it wouldn't come out. Had to drop the pan and back off the valve body bolts a little bit to get it out. I was working from the drivers side and couldn't see the dipstick when I installed the VB.

revblackshadow

Carolinatim, I was curious. Which kit did you buy to do the overhaul on your valve body? I've got a hardshift going into and coming out of OD, and believe it to be a broken spring too. Did you use Transgo or Sonnax or another option? Did you do a complete overhaul? Thanks in advance for your help.