2002 Windstar Transmission Remove and Replace

[farns]

Started this conversation on another thread, but wanted to make a fresh post to get some eyeballs that may not have been following my other thread.

I am considering doing a Tranny R&R on my 2002 Windstar. We've come to the conclusion that I need one, and I have a chance to buy a brand new reman from Ford at a wholesale price. But it's $700-800 for the installation, which I don't have.

I am not a mechanic, but I have done a lot more with my van than I ever imagined I would have, including the engine repairs posted here:

http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

In trying to decide if I should attempt this or not, I wanted to see if there is a walk through as awesome as this one is, for transmission replacement. I haven't been able to google anything up that I found useful, wanted to see what you guys knew about.

[northern piper]

Farns, if that wrench it place is that close I don't even think I'd be having this conversation if I were in your place. Look at those prices! Look at the fact they have a mechanic to offer help.

This is a no brainer. Get on the phone and do it. You might want to research a bit, get an alldatadiy or emitchell subscription.. but you can do this.

[farns]

just got off the phone with them. They say, according to their book, that it is a 9 hour job (for a real mechanic).... They have an All Data account there that you have access to when doing the work. He suggested I do the "all day" bay rental for $149, and it's $199 if I want access to all their tools.

I am going to go by there tomorrow and see what resources I have availble there to show me what to do. He said I can look there tomorrow for free, if I come do the work then I can print out all the stuff when I get there. I think if I can have a real solid explanation of what needs to be done, and they have all the right tools... then I'm that much closer to being talked into it

[northern piper]

For $11.99 for a week from eMitchell online data (which I think is better than alldatadiy.com) here ....http://www.eautorepair.net/Marketing/Default.asp

you can do all your prep work. If I were you, I'd spend the money and read the whole thing regarding removal/replacement of the trans... I'd bet it'll be the best 12 bucks you'll spend. It also gives you a solid week to read and re-read. I'd be hesitant to arrive the morning I plan to do the job to only then download the info. It'll probably take an hour just to get your head around what the alldata info outlines. You also want to make sure you've got all the parts, pieces, hardware they suggest, along with the parts that'll likely break and need replacement.

good luck and keep us posted!

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by farns

just got off the phone with them. They say, according to their book, that it is a 9 hour job (for a real mechanic).... They have an All Data account there that you have access to when doing the work. He suggested I do the "all day" bay rental for $149, and it's $199 if I want access to all their tools.

I am going to go by there tomorrow and see what resources I have availble there to show me what to do. He said I can look there tomorrow for free, if I come do the work then I can print out all the stuff when I get there. I think if I can have a real solid explanation of what needs to be done, and they have all the right tools... then I'm that much closer to being talked into it

Look at it as an investment, it will give you the feel of the place and you'll return in the future for other repairs knowing what to expect.

[farns]

So I took a tour of Wrench-It today, and came home with more questions. So here is what I've got:

• both tranny shops quoted about 9 hours for the job. Wrench-It computer says the same thing. I guess they have some system that tells them what a proceedure should take, based on make and model. 2002 Windstar tranny R&R is a 9 hour job.
• I can rent a 4-post lift bay all day, with unlimited tool usage (tranny jack, air tools, stuff I've never heard of, etc...) for $199 for all day (11 hours)
• I looked at the diy website a bit...(AllData) and it looked OK, but nothing as good as PCitizen's engine walk through I will buy a week of that other site you guys told me about and see.
• They said the tranny can come out two ways... Either on it's own, or with the engine still hooked to it. And it can come out through the top, or drop through the bottom. They suggested I asked you guys what you have/would have done.
• I can pay $29 an hour for a mechanic to work with me side by side for as much or as little of the project as desired. My thought was... if there's a bunch of "busy work" leading up to the Removal, maybe I can do that on my own, and just pay for help at the important parts... I dunno....
• My fear is that a couple wrong moves and this could cost more than having the dealership or a real tranny shop do the work, ya know?
• IF removing the engine and tranny is the way to go, that leads me to two questions...
  • I need to replace the power steering pump. I haven't looked too deeply into that, but I'm wondering if this would be done easiest while this project is going on. I'd totally knock it out too if it makes good sense.
  • We have one other unresolved concern in this van that we haven't been able to solve... I keep getting intermittent "check charging system" errors... The voltage keeps dropping, but we can't figure out why. New battery, and new alternator (twice, warranty swap) haven't fixed it... To the best I can gather, the wires are the only thing left that can be the problem. But they are quite hard to get to. With the engine gone, I'm thinking it might be easier. I'm considering a full swap out of all power wires if that makes sense too... Let me know what you think on that.

So there we have it, I'm not sure what to think of all this... I need to chew on it a bit. Love to get your thoughts. Thanks!

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by farns

I need to replace the power steering pump. I haven't looked too deeply into that, but I'm wondering if this would be done easiest while this project is going on. I'd totally knock it out too if it makes good sense.

• • We have one other unresolved concern in this van that we haven't been able to solve... I keep getting intermittent "check charging system" errors... The voltage keeps dropping, but we can't figure out why. New battery, and new alternator (twice, warranty swap) haven't fixed it... To the best I can gather, the wires are the only thing left that can be the problem. But they are quite hard to get to. With the engine gone, I'm thinking it might be easier. I'm considering a full swap out of all power wires if that makes sense too... Let me know what you think on that.

So there we have it, I'm not sure what to think of all this... I need to chew on it a bit. Love to get your thoughts. Thanks!

Having the engine out is the only time you will have full and easy access to the front of it, you should definitely take advantage of the situation and knock yourself out replacing pumps in minutes instead of hours. Also you should replace the tensioner while the engine is out even if it isn't noisy yet because eventually it will get noisy and is extremely difficult to reach with engine in place.

[olopezm]

If you're fully removing the engine, there is no need to do it form underneath. You can do it form above and remove it with the transmission in place. That's the way we did it a few years ago.

Oscar.