Uh oh! Look what I found in trans pan...

[Rich Gio]

I dropped the trans pan on my '87 GN to change out the TCC Solenoid and found this spring stuck to the magnet. Trans shifts well, fluid was good and no other metal was in the pan. It looks like a spring from the valve body internals, but the Art Carr shift kit was put in back in '90! I changed the fluid 2 years ago and the spring was not there! I can't see any damage to any other parts. Can anyone identify this spring? ... and should I be worried?

 

[KevinB]

Im far from a transmission expert but that looks like the governor spring. How is the WOT shift?

 

[Rich Gio]

WOT shifts are good. Firm with no flare. Where exactly is the governor spring located? Wouldn't I see other parts in the pan if something broke?

 

[LOT]

Spring

@ first look it appears to be governor spring. I, like Kevin, would think it wouldn't shift if governor spring. I have a list of all the springs in a BFR. If, using caliper, you can measure the wire dia, spring dia. length and # of coils I can verify if it is a VB spring. I can't see how a spring could possibly get out of VB without seeing a roll pen in pan also

 

[Rich Gio]

Thanks guys! I can measure it at work on Monday. Meanwhile I may pull the governor out and verify the spring is still in place.

No other parts in the pan..... Spring appears to be light blue...maybe it is gov spring. I just drove it last week and shifted fine. The spring looked like it was there awhile. (coated with sludge)

 

[9SECVSIX]

If not the governor spring then......

It's most likely the spring from the lever and bracket assemble that the TV cable hooks to on the front of the VB.

 

[mikestertwo]

it's most likely the spring from the lever and bracket assemble that the tv cable hooks to on the front of the vb.

+1

 

[RIFF RAFF]

!!!

+1

+3

 

[Rich Gio]

Is it even possible for the governor spring to make it back to the pan? Looking at the shop manual, it seems the passages would be too small for the spring to fit. I'll look at the TV bracket first.

 

[KevinB]

Is it even possible for the governor spring to make it back to the pan? Looking at the shop manual, it seems the passages would be too small for the spring to fit. I'll look at the TV bracket first.

Yes it is. I have seen it happen...especially after a broken driveshaft.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

That spring is too big to be out of the governor. I'm with the TV cable link idea....

 

[Dabigguy]

A pubic hair from the Bionic Woman?

 

[Rich Gio]

Jeez, guys.... I was just under the car and can't find ANYTHING missing. Since it was running good before this I'm going to stick with the "If it Ain't broke, don't fix it" route.

Also, I'm replacing TCC solenoid and those stupid twist lock connectors for the new solenoid don't work very well. Can I use crimp connectors (or solder)and insulate it with shrink wrap?

 

[Rich Gio]

@ first look it appears to be governor spring. I, like Kevin, would think it wouldn't shift if governor spring. I have a list of all the springs in a BFR. If, using caliper, you can measure the wire dia, spring dia. length and # of coils I can verify if it is a VB spring. I can't see how a spring could possibly get out of VB without seeing a roll pen in pan also

I'll Mic out the spring and post up the numbers on Monday.

 

[Rich Gio]

It's most likely the spring from the lever and bracket assemble that the TV cable hooks to on the front of the VB.

Nope, the spring is in place at the lever and bracket assembly. Is there supposed to be a weirdly bent cotter pin loose in at assembly? Looks like it only hangs there. It came out easily. Shown in pic above. How is it situated in the bracket? Seen in first pic next to my thumb.

 

[GNeric]

That is where the spring goes. Helps keep the check ball unseated when the throttle cable is adjusted correctly. Goes over the "loop" end of the "link". From the bottom, the way you have them situated in your pic.

 

[gsgns4me]

Here is an "assembled" view.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Yes it is. I have seen it happen...especially after a broken driveshaft.

You just had to go there. LOL

 

[Rich Gio]

Here is an "assembled" view.



Thanks guys! That's exactly the pic I was looking for! I'll tackle that tomorrow.

 

[INEEDAGN]

Just for your enlightenment, that assembly is a failsafe mechanism. It's designed to force max TV pressure if the TV cable breaks. This high pressure would make it shift very late (if at all) and keep it from burning up until the customer got it repaired. Without it, a broken tv cable would result in no throttle pressure (very very bad) and by the time an average driver had it looked at, the transmission would be toast. 700R4 has a similar (if not identical) setup. I've seen lots of transmissions come in with all those parts completely missing from a previous rebuild. I'm not sure if you can get away with leaving the check ball in the valve body without those parts (I quit transmissions 3 years ago) .