2000-2008 AW55-50SN Valvebody re-assembly

[precopster]

How many times did you drain the transmission?

[oragex]

a 2L and a 3-4L drain

[precopster]

To TOTALLY replace the transmission fluid by draining you need to replace about 14 litres of fluid. This is because new is mixed with old.


3 drain and fills of 3.5 litres each is usually enough to make the fluid look very clean, though.

I would try adaptation and resets before any valve body work in this case.

Adapatation can actually SOFTEN hard shifts.

[oragex]

I will do then a third 3-4l drain, then have it reset&re-adapted . Appreciate the help

[VFLXC90]

Is there a video of the disassembly and cleaning?

[oragex]

Youtube

[slicker]

I'll add my vote for replacing solenoids. My 2001 V70 had the flaring changes when warmed up. I put in 3 new solenoids (no redrilling etc). Perfect shifting now. If you've read enough of these forum posts about replacement solenoids you'll see plenty of experienced transmissions people saying it will never be that easy to fix these problems and a full rebuild of the only solution. Maybe true for some, but many of us have done the relatively simple solenoid change and it cured the symptoms.

A few notes based on my experience.

1. Read all the "how-to' guides and tips you can.
2. precopster has some good tips. Especially disconnecting the intercooler tubes. I loosed them at the throttle end and cooler end so I was able to push them right out of the way. It made the rest of the job so much easier.
3. No need to drain radiator or remove transmission cooler hose from cooler. Just tie them out of the way.
4. Deinitely remove the airbox. Takes a minute but makes so much easier.
5. The hardest part was getting the valve cover, with new sealant, back onto the transmission withough fouling the sealant on other things. Trial run it clean to get the sequence of twists and turns the cover needs to make.
6. When using the VIDA to put it in learning mode you will have to find the start button. It took me ages to realise the button is the symbol on the page. Nothing as simple as a START button. Dumb design.
7. Remember to re-fill fluid through dipstick tube. Just take it slowly.
8. It isn't really a difficult job. Now I've done it I think it could be be done in 3-4 hours. The slow parts are removing all the valve body cover screws. Maybe a powered driver would speed considerably.

If you have flaring issues, this will probabably fix them.

[jenkinskg]

I was turned down by 2 mechanics, and one trans shop to replace the valve body for me. After they said they would not touch it did it myself.
I bought my dyno tested valve body from a place in long island NY, [email protected]
Have been 100% ever since.
I also think the job was tough because of the access, my c70 maybe tighter in there than other models.
It took me a full 8hrs, with very small breaks.
Toughest part was dropping subframe enough to pull pan out, and even sometimes getting to the bolts holding pan in.

[jenkinskg]

I did my c70 valve body more that 1 1/2 years ago 25K+ miles
Took a full day under car with a couple of brakes. ( Why the hell is the pan and valve body right behind sub-frame?)

Got a fully tested valve body from a place I found in long island NY
The swap was quick and easy, removing pan and putting sealant on pan no so much.
Shifted like new without having to relearn, then did the relearn and it was a little better.
Still hims along many miles later.

I also installed a nice aftermarket trans cooler in front of radiator, keeps it cooler than the water cooled one inside radiator. Cooler means longer life.

I have a 02 awd s60, working on head now, will do flush and filter install next, then see if valve body is needed.

[jenkinskg]

got an 02 and was thinking about only swapping linear sol, all 3
Valve body guy I bought last one from said sometimes just soleinoids will not fix, I see $125 set of 3 and whole valve body as low as $350

Any words of wisdom would be helpful