A trick I used to do the B4 servo cover update

[Rocambolesque]

As you might know, doing the B4 shift servo update on 5-speed auto AW55-50 cars can be a little difficult because of the snap ring. When putting everything back together, you need to push down on the spring-loaded cover (1st hand), hold the snap ring (2nd hand) and hold the snap-ring pliers (3rd hand). Unless you have 3 hands, it's tough and you need a special trick to do this. Some people modified c-clamps, but I did something else.

I put a M10x1.5 bolt in the bottom-rear hole in the transmission and used it for leverage with a long screwdriver to push the cover. Then when the cover was in it's place and I was ready to put the snap ring, I used the car's wheel to hold the screwdriver in place:


Obviously this only works if you do this on the ground and you don't jack the car too high.

It took me about an hour to do the servo cover update with minimal swearing. Shift quality has improved.

[onestupidllama]

I used this trick this weekend. It was amazingly helpful and made the job a breeze. Thanks for posting!!!

[Rocambolesque]

Wow this car of mine has been gone for a long time, but I'm glad the trick worked for you!

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

How much spring pressure is on the B4 cover? Can it be pushed in by hand or is leverage required? I'm trying to get a plan of action going before I do the job.

Looking at these B4 cover pictures on this site, it looks like a threaded hole in the case is inline with the center of the cover. If that is the case, I'm thinking something akin to an eyebolt (10×1.50 bolt with 10x1.50 nut welded to the head) could be screwed into the threaded hole, then a forcing screw through the eye and against the cover. Thinking 3855K74 McMaster-Carr for the forcing screw. Thoughts?

[Rocambolesque]

You can push it by hand. The tough part is doing 3 things at the same time, necessitating 3 hands. I guess your method could work too, to hold the cover in place while you install the snap ring.

[scot850]

I still don't understand what this mod is for or why it is needed? I recall asking the local dealer shop foreman about this for my 00 V70R and he said my car did not need it. It has a 5 speed auto trans.

Neil.

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

I still don't understand what this mod is for or why it is needed? I recall asking the local dealer shop foreman about this for my 00 V70R and he said my car did not need it. It has a 5 speed auto trans.

Neil.

Last week my '04 developed a flaring 2-3 upshift. Under light throttle it will shift ok, moderate throttle it will flare. All other shifts are fine, no noise from the transmission, fluid level ok. I'm hoping this will solve the issue. I would like to have it checked for the latest software but the nearest dealer is 85 miles away.

[dikidera]

I still don't understand what this mod is for or why it is needed? I recall asking the local dealer shop foreman about this for my 00 V70R and he said my car did not need it. It has a 5 speed auto trans.

Neil.

Last week my '04 developed a flaring 2-3 upshift. Under light throttle it will shift ok, moderate throttle it will flare. All other shifts are fine, no noise from the transmission, fluid level ok. I'm hoping this will solve the issue. I would like to have it checked for the latest software but the nearest dealer is 85 miles away.

Most of it is usually a pressure problem. Changing out valve body or opening up the old one and cleaning out the solenoids by removing their internal pistons.
Another thing as a last resort you can do is use an air compressor, drain the atf, and fill return hose with diesel and use the compressor to force the diesel the opposite way to unclog filter.