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Hey, I'm baaack....ok, so since my last post, hubby has replaced vacuum modulator and adjusted the bands, I drove the van (1993 Aerostar) around for one day, and when I got home and parked it, we got a puddle of trans fluid.  We noticed that when the van was running, it was pouring straight down in a thin stream which stopped when van turned off.  After inspecting it today, hubby saw where the leak is coming from, and it appears to be the OD Servo.  Now, I cannot say if I have any overdrive problems or not, because I only drive locally, max speed around 40=45.  I did hit 50 that day though, and noticed a lot of shaking/rumbling, so I slowed down.  No slipping that I noticed.
So I guess my question is, is there any particular reason it would be leaking at the OD Servo?  I do a lot of auto repair research for hubby, and have had a lot of trouble finding any info on this, which leads me to believe it is uncommon.  Also, do we need one of those compression tools to remove/replace the servo?  They are expensive, not sure if they are rent-able at local auto stores...
Thank you : )
Judy  

log in .. check messages to the left of where you log out at..


there is also this

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=2&Category_Code=A4LD

there is an illistration page at the upper right on the above link..  

Thank you Wayne...will go through that today.  Does anyone know how to get the servo cover off without using a servo cover compressor?  I've seen mention of using other tools, but not sure it is a good idea?  

You don't need to compress the servo cover. Hopefully the last person to put the snap ring in positioned it so it was sticking into the gap in the case around the servo. Just use a flat blade screwdriver and wedge it under the snap ring {you might need a tap with a hammer to get under it}. Then just pry the snap ring out. Then you can grab the cover with a pair of channel locks and slide it out. If its the rounded cover then you need to use pick. Dig the point into the cover and pry against the case to work it out.
That servo pist is probably hard as a rock you should change it. There should be a two letter code on the top of the piston to identify which one you need. AA,AB,BB ect...  

You know, I've been reading about the heat shield on the cat conv, mine fell off on the side that faces the trans about a year ago, could that be part of my problem with the servo leak?  My brother in law said it was no big deal to have no heat shield...  

thanks 440t4, he used a pick and got it out....you are right, it was very hard, plus is cracked/broken in spots.  

Ok then you probably had no 4th gear.I hope the band didn't get burnt. You should change the intermediate servo while your at it. Without the heat shield those servo cover o-rings and pistons get cooked. It definitely shortens the life of those parts but they should still last 2 or 3 years even without the heat shield.Just in case you get them mixed up or someone mixed them up in the past the longer spring goes on the od piston.Now that i think of it that piston code is on the cover not the piston.  

Well, it was a lot of work (mostly moving the exhaust) but he replaced the OD and Intermediate servos yesterday...had already replaced the low/reverse servo last week.  I've been sick, so haven't really driven it yet, but I did just move it up and down the driveway, and it seems better than ever, went right into both forward and reverse with no hesitating or bucking, even though the engine was cold!  Fingers crossed that we fixed our problem.

Thank you for all your help : )

Judy  

None of the 3 servos have anything to do with forward engagement.The overdrive band is applied in 4th the intermediate band is applied in 2nd and the rear band is on in reverse and manual low.  

Well, when this whole mess started, my main problem was the bucking/stopping while in reverse.  We replaced the reverse/low servo first, and saw no improvement.  So would you conclude that it was actually the leaking of fluid that was causing our problem (including slight problems with forward engagement), since once we fixed the other servo that was leaking, all is well?  

: )  

I dont think so. My guess would be that a stuck valve worked itself free after the trans service. But the bottom line is its working so good luck with it.