I changed my transmission fluid/filter today, and thought I'd adjust the bands at the same time. I don't own an in/lb torque wrench, so I converted 72 in/lbs to 6 ft/lbs, thinking it would be okay to use.

I adjusted the rear band (it had some play in it...wasn't tight) to 6 ft/lbs, torqued the locknut to 25 ft/lb, and reattached the pan. I refilled the pan with fluid and took my truck for a test drive. (BTW, I haven't touched the front band yet.)

Something's not right. It takes extra-long to shift from second gear to third, and downshifting into second is sometimes rough. Has anyone else had this problem? Did an in/lb torque wrench work better? Any help would be appreciated!

 

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmi...T_band_adj.htm

 

Rent an in-lb wrench, a ft-lb wrench isn't accurate at all for what your trying to do. Its like using a truck scale to measure the weight of a letter...

 

Uhhhhhh......maybe I'm missing something in your post, but you did state that you "torqued the adjuster"........but I seem to be missing how many turns back out you did from the point you torqued it too??????? procedure is that you: loosen the lock nut, torque the adjuster, and then BACK OFF THE ADJUSTER XXX amount of turns, hold the adjuster in that position and tighten the locking nut.

......and for a 98.5 47re that would be 3 turns on the l/r band and 1 7/8 for the front band.

 

I did turn it back 3 turns, but didn't hold the adjuster when tightening the lock nut.

 

If you have a torque wrench that ranges from 5 ft/lb o something (which is probable the lowest wetting on a ft/lb wrench), then your setting at 6 ft/lb is not very accurate on the wrench. You don't want to use the very low or very high settings in the range, the tool is most accurate near the middle. 72 in/lb is better done with a in/lb wrench, for sure. I would feel safe doing like 250 in/lbs with a foot-pound wrench.
-P

 

You mentioned "bands"......did you adjust the kickdown band also??

 

Joel, I'm sure the problem arose when you tightened the locknut w/o holding the adjuster fixed; it's a common mistake and usually changes your band tension too far from where you want it... and they don't spec 1 and 7 eighths for nuthin, ya know

 

is the kickdown band the front one?

 

yes it is.

 

J Body,

No, I didn't adjust the front band yet. I did redo the rear band today with an inch-pound torque wrench, being careful to keep the adjustment bolt in place when tightening the lock nut.

But it still isn't right. Does the front band have to be adjusted as well for them to work together correctly?

 

Double check your fluid level also.
It's very common for the system to "burp" an air pocket after driving and leave you a quart low.
On my truck, I needed to run the level 1/2 pint or so higher than the indicated full line..

 

Why don't you make sure BOTH bands are adjusted correctly and take it from there?....

 

Well, I adjusted the front band today and it is definitely running better, but I still can't help being paranoid about it. Can mal-adjusted bands cause trouble for the tranny?