64 Ford

4R70W/4R70/75E
Interchange Information
Anti-Rattle Spring
Ford has come up with a better designed anti rattle spring. The updated spring is a “V”
shaped strip of spring steel that won’t eat into the case or center support. This spring
will retrofit back all the way to the AOD transmission and is a great case saver for se-
verely worn cases. The part number for the updated spring is 2L3Z-7F277-AA.

Discard Updated Spring

Part # 2L3Z-7F277-AA

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 Ford 65

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Center Support
To make room for the turbine speed sensor, the 4R70E/75E center support has an
extra notch cut out. If you install a 4R70W support in a 4R70E/75E case, the turbine
speed sensor will not install all the way into the case.

If you are in a pinch, grinding a notch into the support to make room for the sensor will
not pose a problem.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 66 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Forward Drum
2004-on, forward drums have three clutch apply holes, 120º apart, verses the earlier
version having only one. This design change is cosmetic and will not affect forward
clutch apply if interchanged. The 4R70/75E drum will fit on all year models.

Pre-2004 only has one apply 2004-on, forward drums have

hole three clutch apply holes

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 Ford 67

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Intermediate Mechanical Diode Sprag
In 2007, Ford introduced a new design mechanical diode. They increased the number of
ratchet teeth in the diode which should increase holding strength. At the time of printing
this manual, there have been no reports of premature failure.

The new diode has a snap ring that holds the element retainer in place instead of the
earlier pressed design. Height dimensions have changed slightly where the snap ring
rides on the reverse input/OD drum.

The new design diode supersedes the previous design, and when used on any diode-style
drum, will increase the clearance between the inner race and the snap ring by about
0.020", this is a normal clearance by design. An aftermarket-designed spiral snap ring
should be used in place of the stock snap ring to prevent snap ring failure.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 68 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Harness Connector Changes
Use the diagrams to make sure you are using the correct connector for your application.
The diagrams shown are the vehicle side of the harness. From 1993-1997, the trans-
mission connector is white with soft wiring built into the connector.

From 1998-on, the connector is black in color and uses the separate hard plastic
harness. Solenoids will not interchange due to connection differences.

NOTE: Installing the wrong wiring harness can create multiple codes and erratic
shifts.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 Ford 69

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Stator Support
The stator supports are identical in hydraulic design but there is an important difference
in the forward sealing ring lands. The 4R70E/75E uses a plastic ring that is much
thinner than the 4R70W cast iron design.

The outer dimensions of the two rings are identical so as long as the correct rings are
used, the stator supports can be interchanged.

The other difference is the forward clutch feed hole. Ford changed the machining process
for the forward clutch apply hole and turned it into a slot instead of a round hole. This is
strictly cosmetic and will have no effect on forward clutch apply if interchanged.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 70 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Planetary
The planetary gear set is the same ratio and dimensions between the two units. The only
difference is how the rear cover is attached. The 4R70E/75E uses a welded design as the
older versions use rivets to connect the bottom cover to the top portion of the gear set.
That area has never had a real issue and the change is due to an easier manufacturing
process. Interchange between years will not pose a problem.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 Ford 71

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Sun Shell and Forward Sun Gear
2004 & up sun shells are designed with added strength by utilizing a two piece riveted
or a one piece design in the later applications. On both designs, the metal is thicker
along the chamfer at the base of the gear which will reduce cracking. Height dimensions
from the bottom of the sun gear to the area where the bearing rides has been reduced by
.030” to make room for the thicker two piece bearing.

The sun shell, bearing, and forward sun gear must be changed as a set if changing over
to a 4R70W or the end play will be incorrect. Ford sells this complete service kit under
part # 4L3Z-7D234-AA.

2.0250”
2.0550”

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 72 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Sun Shell and Forward Sun Gear (continued)
The sun shell, bearing, and forward sun gear must be changed as a set if changing over
to a 4R70W or the end play will be incorrect. Ford sells this complete service kit under
part # 4L3Z-7D234-AA.

Thicker two piece bearing.

1.177” 1.167”

ID Groove
© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.
 Ford 73

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Sun Shell and Forward Sun Gear (continued)
The single most important change with the 4R70E/75E sun shell is something you can
not see with the naked eye, but will prevent the transmission from leaving your shop.
That is the 4R70E/75E sun shell is non-magnetic. In order for the input speed sensor
that the 4R70E/75E’s now incorporate to work, the sun shell must be non magnetic so
that the sensor can pick up the signal from the stamping on the forward drum. Failure
to use a non magnetic sun shell will result in harsh or no shifting with possible ratio
and input speed sensor codes.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 74 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Pump Body
The pump bodies are identical except for the intermediate piston design. The
4R70E/75E uses a bonded rubber piston that is larger in size and will produce more
holding power than the aluminum piston design.

A wave style piston return spring in 04-05 models and a one piece in the 06 and up
models is utilized on the molded style and cannot retrofit back. The wave style spring
requires a seat that sits in the case so that the wave spring does not eat into the
aluminum. The later one piece style has a notch that indexes at 12 o’clock in the case
and is placed with the springs facing up towards you.

The two different designed pumps can be interchanged from one another without any
issues, but as a complete set. You cannot interchange intermediate pistons or springs
with one another. If you choose to use a 4R75E pump in place of the early 4R70W, make
sure to install the wave spring retainer into the early case or damage to the case will
occur. If using the 06-up one piece design spring, no retainer is needed.

4R70W 4R75E

Area for the Intermediate Piston

is larger for the molded rubber
style

2006-on uses the

single piece retainer

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 Ford 75

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Ring Gear
A new designed output speed sensor was incorporated for the 2004 model year. The new
sensor uses the exciter ring from the 24 extended parking pawl lugs as where the old
sensor uses six (6) holes that are machined around the ring gear.

Mismatching an early ring gear in a late transmission will result in a 75% reduction in
the output speed sensor signal and will not let the trans shift out of first gear. Using a
late ring gear in an early transmission will produce an output speed signal 400% faster
and shift the transmission into fourth gear by the time you hit 10 MPH. No interchange
possible.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.

 76 Ford

4R70W/4R75E
Interchange Information (continued)
Output Speed Sensor
The Output Speed Sensor changed from the oval connector to the square in 2001. The
length is the same as the earlier version up to 2004 when the ring gear changed.
Installing the shorter late sensor in 01-03 models could create a weak signal and
intermittent OSS codes. Installing the early sensor in an 04 and up will cause damage to
the sensor.

© 2009 ATRA. All Rights Reserved.