904 (32RH) Help - No Reverse

[stoshzack]

Hi All -

So, I got my 32RH back into my 1998 Jeep.

However, it will not go into reverse. Well, it definitely shifts into reverse and moves slightly backward, but then stops like it is binding. It also creeps forward in neutral. Drive (D) appears to be fine. Also, I can push it backwards in neutral with the engine off.

Jeep starts in only neutral and park, so I think shift linkage is ok.

I am hoping I just need to retorque the front and rear bands.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. I really don’t want to pull this transmission again. Thanks

 

[stoshzack]

I guess I should add i just rebuilt the transmission myself. After doing some thinking and research, I am guessing that the forward clutch is staying engaged. That is why it creeps forward in neutral. Reverse is working, but fighting against the forward clutch. Maybe a stuck forward clutch piston?

 

[Illahe]

I guess I should add i just rebuilt the transmission myself. After doing some thinking and research, I am guessing that the forward clutch is staying engaged. That is why it creeps forward in neutral. Reverse is working, but fighting against the forward clutch. Maybe a stuck forward clutch piston?

I'm not sure if the 904 has a Bellevue spring, but that's what I'd be looking at and the clutch pack clearance. My recollection is that the wrong piston and spring combination and or clearance will allow the piston to "overtravel" and engage the transmission without pressure.
Get a good rebuild manual and be patient.

 

[stoshzack]

I'm not sure if the 904 has a Bellevue spring, but that's what I'd be looking at and the clutch pack clearance. My recollection is that the wrong piston and spring combination and or clearance will allow the piston to "overtravel" and engage the transmission without pressure.
Get a good rebuild manual and be patient.

Thanks for the response. Dumb question as this was my first rebuild and experience with automatic transmissions. Is there a difference in thickness for the forward friction plates vs. the rear? I should have checked clearance, but did not. I remember thinking that the friction plates that they sent me in the kit where thinner than what I pulled out. They sent all the same thickness friction plates.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Did it pass an air test?

 

[stoshzack]

Did it pass an air test?

Didn’t do air test. Was going to, and did not. Learning all the mistakes on a first time rebuild.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Didn’t do air test. Was going to, and did not. Learning all the mistakes on a first time rebuild.

I can totally relate to that. Good luck with it. I hope it's something simple.

 

[stoshzack]

Well - I think I figured this out with your guys help. There is a difference in thickness for front and rear friction plates on 904/999. Front is 0.086” and rear is 0.060”. Company sent me all 0.060”. Not sure if they expected me to add a plate. As such, I am sure that my clearance is off on the front drum.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

Don’t beat yourself up over this .
At least you tried .

Always use a manual to check your clearances in an automatic .
When I did my first one,,,I couldn’t believe that the clearance was so high on some of the clutch packs .
They can trip you up,,,,very easy to get the wrong settings if you don’t measure it correctly .
However,,,,you can fix this,,,keep trying .

The reverse servo and the band operate reverse .
So I don’t understand why you have forward gears and no reverse ?
The rear servo snap ring hasn’t popped out of place has it ?

Tommy

 

[stoshzack]

Don’t beat yourself up over this .
At least you tried .

Always use a manual to check your clearances in an automatic .
When I did my first one,,,I couldn’t believe that the clearance was so high on some of the clutch packs .
They can trip you up,,,,very easy to get the wrong settings if you don’t measure it correctly .
However,,,,you can fix this,,,keep trying .

The reverse servo and the band operate reverse .
So I don’t understand why you have forward gears and no reverse ?
The rear servo snap ring hasn’t popped out of place has it ?

Tommy

Thanks for your comments. I think I do have reverse, but it is fighting the forward drum motion. Basically the two cancel each other out and it doesn’t move.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

Okay
When you say it doesn’t move
Is it locked in place like both gears are engaged ?

 

[stoshzack]

Okay
When you say it doesn’t move
Is it locked in place like both gears are engaged ?

Correct

 

[stoshzack]

When I put it in reverse, it starts to move backwards and then binds up.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

But the forward gears work fine ?

 

[stoshzack]

But the forward gears work fine ?

Yes

 

[Desoto291hemi]

Okay
So if all forwards gears work then

It could be the band system
The planetary
The valve body
Maybe even some more stuff
But check the easy things first

Check your valve body
It sounds exactly like a transmission that has a trans brake in it

 

[stoshzack]

Okay
So if all forwards gears work then

It could be the band system
The planetary
The valve body
Maybe even some more stuff
But check the easy things first

Check your valve body
It sounds exactly like a transmission that has a trans brake in it

Thanks. So, I had the valve body professionally rebuilt. Not saying that is not it, but I would think it is something I did first.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

What did you have done to the valve body ?
Anything special or specific ?

 

[stoshzack]

What did you have done to the valve body ?
Anything special or specific ?

No, nothing special. I bought a refurbished valve body from Central Valve Bodies and sent my core back n.

 

[stoshzack]

@VOETOM

Any thoughts? Also, I like your book.

 

[Bewy]

Friction plate is 0.060" thick? Seems very thin.......