How do you adjust the front (kickdown) band? I can't loosen the lock down nut. A regular socket is too shallow; I can't get a ratcket on a deep sock (tried no extension and a 6" extension); I can't seem to get any leverage on a box wrench. I'm having trouble with the cooling lines and other obstructions getting in the way.
Anybody have any hints to pass along?

 

just do what the dealership does....skip it.

Seriously, you should just skip it. If you mess it up, or your torque wrench is not very accurrate, you will blow your tranny...FAST.

 

If your doing a fluid change and your not having any shifting issues, just leave it be. There's no reason to adjust it if there's no problem.

 

I am having some problems and it's time for it. It is important that the bands are adjusted properly. I've always had the dealer do it and if it wasn't shifting quit right, it shifted better afterwards. I'm just tired of paying $300 for it.
I've got a good inch lbs torque wrench.
I did the reverse one in the pan but I'm having trouble getting to the forward one.
If anybody has done it, what did you use to loosen the locking nut?

 

For the front band, I used a closed end wrench and a 5/16 inch 8 point socket. If your having shifting problems and you have to adjust the band every oil change, you've got another problem altogether. I would try adjusting the TV cable first.

 

I loosened mine with a box wrench and a cheater bar. I also rammed my elbow into the cross member when it broke loose, had a bruise the size of a cantaloupe for weeks.

 

Did it feel good when it quit hurting?

 

Yea, felt great after about a month.

 

Thanks and no, I don't have to adjust the bands at every oil change or every transmission fluid change either. I have them checked at the recommended interval which is 24K if I remember. There have been a couple of times when it was due and the tranny was shifting a little off. The adjustment tightened things up and it shifted better.

 

I think the fear of smashing a body part may be what's keeping the locking nut in place more than anything. I'll put on the elbow pads and knuckle gaurds and get a little fresh with it tomorrow.