2nd gear acting up but only after a few minutes of driving

[jogirob]

OK so I adjusted both kickdown bands according to specs, they were off a good bit and probably hadn't been adjusted in many years. I also got some fresh new fluids and filter. When I took the car out for a test drive the shifting was perfect, giving me a firm smooth bite from 1st to 2nd at proper RPM's when rolling out of a couple neighborhood stop signs. About 2 minutes in I started experiencing the engine overevving again to about 3.2k, and not wanting to engage 2nd gear. If 2nd gear is engaged it slips the entire time unless I really baby the throttle. Once I got out of neighborhood streets and to 45Mph areas It's almost like I need to reach 3rd gear speeds in 1st before I can get a firm engagement.

Fluids are filled to proper level. A904 torqueflite paired w/ a 360 4bbl

 

[jogirob]

This just started happening a few days ago when I replaced the transmission to speed control servo speedometer cable.

 

[khryslerkid]

How's your kickdown linkage adjustment?

Just read this addition to your post...

"This just started happening a few days ago when I replaced the transmission to speed control servo speedometer cable."

I'm not up on that setup. Go back over the installation if it started right after you added this.

 

[jogirob]

How's your kickdown linkage adjustment?

That's my next stop but will probably have to go with multiple mini adjustments since I don't have the correct tool to use on the transmission side of the linkage. With the problem described, do you think I should shorten it or lengthen the rod?

 

[khryslerkid]

That's my next stop but will probably have to go with multiple mini adjustments since I don't have the correct tool to use on the transmission side of the linkage. With the problem described, do you think I should shorten it or lengthen the rod?

If it was working ok before replacing the transmission to speed control servo speedometer cable, it should be ok. Maybe something is out of adjustment on that if there is such a thing.

As far as your kickdown adjustment the best thing to do is refer to your FMS. I hate to give you any advice since you've already been making other adjustments.

 

[dvw]

If the KD band adjustment (outer adjuster) is anywhere close and it still slips there are two possibility's. The KD servo is not actuating, very unlikely. It can be air checked in the car with the valve body removed. Or more likely the KD band is toast. If you get it tight enough it may function. However if its down to the metal it will weld itself to the drum. Don't ask how I know. Pull the pan and see what inside.
Doug

 

[jogirob]

@khrystlerkid it's purely coincidental I bet. The servo looks to have been disconnected from vacuum lines for years.

@dvw there wasnt anything out of the ordinary when I took the pan off. Unfortunately there wasnt a magnet. I tossed one in there before closing it back up.

Why do you guys think itll only shift fine when cold?

I did such a fine job sealing the thing and getting rid of all old leaks too, bah!

 

[dvw]

The band adjustments will only be off for a few reasons. Wrong to start with, bent band strut, worn band. When did this problem start?
Doug

 

[jogirob]

The band adjustments will only be off for a few reasons. Wrong to start with, bent band strut, worn band. When did this problem start?
Doug

Last Thursday. I was admiring how great the speedo needle was working and how the new fan made the car feel smooth since the old one was out of balance and missing a blade.

I bet the adjustment was off due to a worn band. The car and transmission have about 22x,*** miles. Not sure if it was ever rebuilt. 904's came with the 318's. I'm sure the increased punch from the 360 didn't help.

I think I simply need a rebuild but am hoping you guys have some pro tips to squeeze a few more hundred thousand miles out of it

https://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/lucas-fluid-review/ ?

 

[dvw]

Take it apart and learn how to repair. Save yourself big dollars. My band incident is what started my torqueflite rebuild learning curve over 40 years ago. It welded the band to the drum 50 miles from home. I asked a trans guy my wife new. He told me not to tighten it if was way out of adjustment. Did I listen, nah.
Doug

 

[jogirob]

Take it apart and learn how to repair. Save yourself big dollars. My band incident is what started my torqueflite rebuild learning curve over 40 years ago. It welded the band to the drum 50 miles from home. I asked a trans guy my wife new. He told me not to tighten it if was way out of adjustment. Did I listen, nah.
Doug

So I took your advice Doug and I royally hosed the case up. You owe me $900. (I kid)
I was expecting the front frictions and kickdown band to be worn but they were in surprisingly good shape. The area where the front adjustment bolt pushes down on was cracked and folded over but I'm pretty sure that was from me torquing the band down before pulling the oil pump so I don't have parts spilling all over the place. The rear frictions were fine as well but the steels had scorch marks. I'm wondering if it's from an older rebuild and they never replaced em. Anyways now I'm dumbfounded as to why I would get slipping in 2nd. One reason why I went and bought a complete refurbished unit. The other reason was that I seized the rear servo piston while compressing it. I've hammered at it with a chisel and tried to get a slide hammer in there. Nothing. The bore is probably beat to sht by now. Oh well good learning experience.

 

[dvw]

Did you air check the front servo? Lets see a pic of the "cracked folded over part". I doubt if you hurt anything tightening it up with a 5/16" wrench.
Doug

 

[biomedtechguy]

This post is making me like my 3rd pedal...
My 727 in my 71 Charger R/T went out back in 1978 or 79. It would chirp 2nd at WOT stock, and it had 54k miles on it when I bought it in 78. IIRC it cost around $600 for the repair? Maybe less, but I have no idea what was wrong.
To me an automatic transmission is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.

 

[jogirob]

After removing and reassembling everything else other than the rear servo the 904 is definitely one of the most elementary AT's out there. So mad at myself for screwing it up. I'm hoping they don't say something when I turn it in as a core.
Air pressure test for the front servo was hilarious. Talk about having the patient on the surgery table. The tranny gurgled and spilled blood as if it just gave it's last breath. RIP.

 

[jogirob]

Did you air check the front servo? Lets see a pic of the "cracked folded over part". I doubt if you hurt anything tightening it up with a 5/16" wrench.
Doug

Do you think it was the clamping pressure that wrecked it then? I have seen posts about people trashing these new riveted bands from their rebuild kit in favor for cast bands.

I've torqued that adjustment bolt to 72inLb before during my initial stages of troubleshooting and even though I didn't use a torque wrench this time I never got to that amount of resistance.

As a reminder, back then after I did my band adjustments and test drove the car, the car shifted perfectly. Then a few minutes later 1st started over revving and 2nd wouldn't engage firmly. At one point it felt like I had my foot on the brake and gas pedal at the same time.

 

[dvw]

Where is the band anchor wedge? It fits between the adjustment screw and the band. In the pan? looks to me like it fell out and was then adjusted.
Doug

 

[jogirob]

Where is the band anchor wedge? It fits between the adjustment screw and the band. In the pan? looks to me like it fell out and was then adjusted.
Doug




View attachment 679009

Humm, are you sure that's not for a 727 only? 904 bands usually come with a slight indentation to keep the bolt in place. Anywho that part wasn't in there at all. I took the entire thing apart. A ball bearing did fall out when I was tilting the case around but eventually I found out that belonged to the valve body gear selector.

 

[threewood]

Humm, are you sure that's not for a 727 only? 904 bands usually come with a slight indentation to keep the bolt in place. Anywho that part wasn't in there at all. I took the entire thing apart. A ball bearing did fall out when I was tilting the case around but eventually I found out that belonged to the valve body gear selector.

I just watched a video and it looks like there is no anchor on the 904. There seems to be an issue with replacement stamped bands having insufficient dimple to keep the adjuster. A cast band sounds like a no brainer especially if you up the clamping force via shift kit.

 

[dvw]

My bad, I was thinking 727. I still believe the band was damaged causing the issue.
Doug

 

[miller]

I've torqued that adjustment bolt to 72inLb

72 inch pounds...or, FOOT pounds??

Check in the book. Yeah, torque the adjusters, inch pounds, then 'back off' so many turns.
All that torque setting does, is set the clamping pressure on the bands, when their applied.