A/T - AXOD Intermediate Clutch Washer Revision
90ford17^ TRANSAXLE-AXOD-3.0L & 3.8L-POSITIONING OF INTERMEDIATE CLUTCH WAVE SPRING OR SPACERSHOP MANUAL REVISION
^ TRANSAXLE-AXOD-3.0L & 3.8L-WAVE SPRING OR SPACER ADDED TO THE INTERMEDIATE CLUTCHCORRECT PARTS USAGE
Article No. 90-11-7
FORD: 1989 TAURUS
LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1989 CONTINENTAL, SABLE
ISSUE: The information in TSB 89-14-13 may not be clear and could be interpreted as a harsh shift concern correction. TSB article 89-14-13 advises a production change and a service part complexity issue within the intermediate clutch components from one model to another. Mixing components from one design level to another when servicing the transmission is possible, but will cause various shift concerns without correcting a harsh shift concern.
In addition, the 1990 Taurus/Sable and Continental Shop Manuals show the wave spring/spacer in the wrong position within the clutch pack
ACTION: If service is required, it is important not to mix the components of one intermediate clutch assembly design with those of any previous level. Refer to the following information for identifying the unique components by model usage.
WAVE SPRINGS OR SPACER USAGE:
^ For model years 1986, 1987 and 1989 transaxles built up to April 18, 1989 - The intermediate clutch will not have a wave spring or spacer.
^ For 1988 models and 1989 model transaxles built after April 17, 1989 - A wave spring or spacer must be used.
Refer to the following AXOD Wave Spring/Spacer Usage Chart to determine which transaxles use wave spring/spacers.
UNIQUE COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION:
The unique components within each design level are shown in the following Unique Parts Chart.
The clutch hub and pressure plate have no external identification. If parts from each design level become mixed, the only method to determine type is by noting the dimensional differences.
The dimensional variations between pressure plate design levels are difficult to measure without having the proper equipment. However, if an incorrect pressure plate was installed, the clutch pack and clearance measurements would not be within specification.
The differences for the intermediate clutch hub is the variance in the overall height. This can be determined by the following procedure.
1. Place the parts side by side on a flat surface.
2. Lay a straight edge across the top of each part.
3. Check to see if they are about the same size or there is a only a slight difference.
Figure 1:
4. If there is no apparent difference in size, the parts are of the same design. The actual overall height dimension will be required to determine the design level, Figure 1. Refer to the following Height Dimension Chart to determine the hub - intermediate clutch design level.
Figure 2:
The external splined steel plates for the non-wave spring/non-spacer design have the letter "B" stamped on one of the teeth and are 0.090" thick. For the intermediate clutches that use a wave spring or spacer, the plates have no identification and are 0.070" thick, Figure 2.
Figure 3:
NOTE: FOR 1989 AND 1990 VEHICLES THE WAVE SPRING USED IN THE FORWARD AND INTERMEDIATE CLUTCHES ARE SIMILAR. THE FORWARD CLUTCH WAVE SPRING IS SLIGHTLY THICKER (APPROX. .030", .762 MM) THAN THE INTERMEDIATE. WHEN HELD SIDE BY SIDE THIS DIFFERENCE IS VISIBLY APPARENT, FIGURE 3.
To accommodate a common clutch cylinder, a wider range of selective snap rings was made available. The clutch pack clearances for each design are listed as follows:
^ Non-wave spring: 1.11-2.81 mm (0.044-0.111")
^ Wave spring/ spacer: 1.24-3.02 mm (0.049-0.119")
Figure 4:
SHOP MANUAL CORRECTION:
The 1990 Taurus/Sable and Contintental Shop Manuals, Pages 17-15-120 & 17-15-119 respectively, show the wave spring and spacer in the wrong position within the clutch pack. Refer to Figure 4 for the proper wave spring/spacer location and update your manuals.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
SUPERSEDES: 89-14-13
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 5200