I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNEW HOW MUCH 'SLACK' THE FRONT BAND IN A C4 SHOULD HAVE IN IT. ILL BE CHANGING THE FILTER AND FLUID THIS WEEKEND WITH MY HEADER INSTALL SO I THOUGHT I WOULD MAKE SURE THE BAND WAS UP TO PAR. I JUST NEEDED TO KNOW HOW TIGHT TO FIT THE BAND AGAINST THE FRONT DRUM. ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
The book calls for tightening the adjuster to 10 inch/pounds then back off 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 turns and hold while tightening the locknut. The rear is same but 3 turns out. I usually set my front at 1 turn and rear at 2-1/2 turns.
I never had much luck at the 1.5 turns the book calls for. For modified motors, I usually also run 3/4 to 1.0 turns
After my homemade shift kit, I had lots of 2-3 flare, so I tightened the bands (I guess they had never been adjusted because I had to go in maybe 3-4 FULL turns before I got any tension!!!) Anyway, I went a little tight, 1 full turn out from the 10, because it still had a little flare with 1.5. Even with the 1 turn, it has a slight flare, but no more than someone has when shifting a manual...so I will live with it until I get it rebuilt. If it is safe to go down to 3/4 turn, I would lose ALL of my flare...what do you guys think, is it safe to go that tight?
If your band strut has fine threas it's supposed to be 3 turns but if its coarse like mine its 1.5 turn.But band wear could be a factor when the trans is old. If you take out the valvebody (which im pretty sure youre not just to adjust the band) you can look at the intermediate strut and see pretty much when its adjusted corectly. It just has to have a little slack in it.Also the 2-3 flare is caused by too much clearence in the clutch drums.Also if the band is too tight it will smoke it pretty fast.
