Ive got an old 1985 b350 with the 5.9. I bought it from a guy who didnt maintain it very well. When I drive it I can feel the tranny slip somtimes. I dont know how long its been since it has been flushed. Someone told me that if you flush a slipping tranny it will noly make it worse.

IS this true?

EDIT - There is no slipping when it is in 1 or 2. It only starts slipping when I put in in drive, if that makes any difference.

 

All you need to do is adjust the low/reverse band. Flushing the tranny will not make it worse, nor will it make it any better.

BTW, flushing is not as good as a fluid change since the (possibly clogged) filter doesn't get changed and the pan doesn't get cleaned out.

 

What is the low/reverse band? and how do I adjust it?

thanks

 

In all seriousness, if you have to ask that question then you shouldn't think about attempting it. Your best bet is to take it into a tranny shop and have them do a filter/fluid change and a band adjustment. Usually this service costs around a $100. It's a precise adjustment that if done wrong will end up costing you a $2,000 rebuild job. But if you really insist on doing it yourself, pick up a Haynes book from an auto parts store and you'll find the entire procedure with torque specs. and picturesin it.

 

Ok. I thought it was somthing more simple than that. Im not completely ognorant about cars. Ive repaced a drveshaft on a jeep, and a u joint, Ive swapped out coil springs on my old lincoln, Ive just never heard of band adjustment on a tranny.

But If you are for sure that it will help, then Ill scrape up 100 bucks and take it to a tranny shop.

 

Sight unseen that's my best recommendation.

 

Oh...and just to satisfy your curiousity...[sm=yeahsmile.gif]
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmi...T_band_adj.htm

 

You might as well replace the filter when you adjust the low/rev band because you have to take the filter off to get to it.. Once you drop the pan, I also recomend cleaning the magnet that removes metal shavings from the fluid due to wear. Eventually though the transmission will get to the point where it needs to be replaced. The only specialy tool you need to adjust the bands are a torque wrench. I'd say get the Haynes book (#30065), read the section about doing it in chapert 2 and decide if you want to go that way.

The supposed reasoning for not chagning the fluid is that the metal flakes are holding everything together. I have no idea if this is really the case or just superstition. Misadjusting the band will cause you more trouble though so that my be where the superstition comes from.

 

Above all things, take it to a very good transmission shop! Period!

Forget AAMCO, the one national chain that is only out to make more money and never get the tranny in the best shape. Thus, you'll keep coming back until you've been the route of a few rebuilds and much $$$ out of your pocket.

Ask around town, see if the shop has a AAA Club star rating, is registered with the BBB, and has techs that are ASE mechanic certified for transmissions. Usually, the shop will hang the ASE plaque in the customer area or service desk area. It will list the specialty of each mechanic in their shop and what they specialize in. FYI --- The mechanic is the one who is ASE certified, not the shop. If the employee goes elsewhere, his ASE certificate goes with him.

Here's a link to understand what ASE means to the customer ... http://www.asecert.org/Template.cfm?Section=Motorists2

You can find an ASE shop near you by going here ... http://www.ase.com/bluesealsearch/locator.php

Make sure that the shop has done Chrysler transmissions for the full size vehicles too. And done them right.

Also, you may need to research the TSB for the vehicle you have relating to any tranny corrections before having the work done.

Your van is of the mid -1980's. Check and verify if you need to use AFT+3 in that tranny. If there is a TSB for your vehicle year that states using ATF+3 is better, you might as well get that done since the screen, filter and the fluid is being replaced. I can't remember how far back the TSB was in the 1980's for switching to AFT+3.

These are some things to look into and will actually save you some grief and costs overall.

Peace!

Stev