CD4E Transmission Teardown Inspection - Transmission Repair 

You have got to admit: This guy really knows the CD4E inside and out! Bravo!

You are the man Hiram! I started in transmissions in 1979 so you can believe me when I say you are doing a great service to the automotive profession. We are all still learning and I hope everyone who sees your videos appreciates what you have done.

For a person like myself not knowing any mechanics, I'm amazed at how you can tear that down so quickly and know exactly what everything is and where it all goes!

Thank you so much Hiram, you saved me about $4K on my Escape that is only worth about that. You really made it easy to rebuild with all of your detailed explanations. I actually enjoyed the rebuild process, it great to have your direction and insight. I agree with Keith, you are The Man!

I began seeing this video drunk, ended up sober at the end. So much infomation.

Hiram, if you are a medical doctor you are like a brain surgeon and a great one. I always believe the transmission is the Brain of the car. Your instructions on how to rebuilt AUTO- Trans. Is clear and admirable. Thank you.

Thanks for doing this video, i will soon be tearing down my cd4e to replace bushings in the differential, your video will help me very much, not only with doing the differential. With the knowledge you have shared i will feel confident enough to check the other things you have shown here. I have been looking for a good CD4E tear down video for ages, i am very glad to have found yours. I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to upload this video. My CD4E is on my 1997 2.0lt Ford Mondeo.

I am very impressed sir, when I was running AAMCO I wish all my master builder techs could explain what they were doing the way you do, I would have had a much easier time in selling the job to my customers. Good job!

Gearing up to work on my brother in laws Mazda 626 transmission. Thank you, in advance, for adding to my RU-vid certified mechanic license.

Great video Hiram!. Thank you for posting. My CD4E from my 2003 all wheel drive Escape blew up over the weekend in Northhampton Massachusetts. I've rebuilt it twice before and the car has 285,000 miles on it. I may just give up on it, but I really enjoyed the video. You really know your stuff. Best, Francis J. O'Reilly.

If I could like this video multiple times I would! Awesome video. Learned sooooo much about the CD4E. Thank you! During the reassembly video please keep giving out those great tips and info. It's neat that you actually like the CD4E most owners hate them like the plague because of their failure rate. Bet you've become very familiar with them. Watching you tear it down is like poetry in motion with great commentary during the process. Can't wait for the reassembly!!!

This Man is a FRIGGIN SAINT. Thanks for your videos and knowledge. OK, so I can't replace the filter . . . I guess I'll be doing LOTS of ATF drain and refill to try and get as much crap out of the transmission as possible. Thanks, FORD, that was really smart of you not making it serviceable by the DIY owner.

I’m so impressed. A lot more complex than an engine to me. The parts are so intricate.

I really like the detail of this video. Your knowledge and professional attitude toward repair of the CD4E is extensive and appreciated!! I know asking for diagnosis through here is a bit of a cliche but I have this transmission in a 2000 Mazda 626 and have had very few issues less a range sensor in over 100,000 miles. However, I just recently had an issue with the forward gear. The transmission will not go into drive whatsoever now, however if I rev the engine to around 3k rpm it was shifting hard into drive and when going though from 1st all the way to overdrive it shifts so smooth and perfect. However as I said, now it will not go into drive at all and acts as if you are in neutral. No if I rev rpm up to around 4k from neutral then into drive it will try to catch gear (you can feel it) but will release quickly. It almost feels like a pressure issue perhaps with either valve body or a solenoid valve sticking or the like. It does NOT have any engine codes stored in memory as no check engine light is on. Any suggestions on this is greatly appreciated. I understand the fact that it is not in front of you and I am mechanically inclined so feel free to suggest. I know you are not fixing this I am only asking a professional opinion. Thank you.

Also the CD4E was exported all over the world. In Canada the 626 is known as the Cronos, in Asia it's the Capella. Also the Ford Telstar uses the CD4E in Asia. TONS of cars use this tranny. Hiram you are amazing and this is the exact reason I subscribed to your channel in the hopes that one day you'd cover the CD4E in depth. you are super professional and love watching your videos. Get that Probe back on the road and better than ever. :)

Very informative video! Thanks

Best.....transmission.....instructor.....ever

Good job man,, watch this during a rebuild I have. Good info

He knows the transmission inside out? Amazing.

very impressive thank you very much! love to see great work being done thanx

Great video! Many thanks. I have a problem with my Cougar with the CD4E. It lose the "grip" on the 4:th gear when driving, and get the grip again after some second. This happens when the engine has reach the working temperature so I guess it's the band for the forth gear. I am planning to tear it down, clean, and change the necessary parts while looking at this video. Many thank's from Sweden

buddy you're done, you have a lot to learn!

Good job man! keep em coming!

Been watching your vids for a while now, just waiting for the day when you tear down a CD4E, and it is finally here! Same exact model I have, same year car too. You make it look so easy, how do you remember the order the parts go back? You seem to tear these suckers down so fast, removing parts/bolts. not labelling them. You've either done so many of these that you dont need to, or you watch your vids in reverse to help put it back together. lol

Love these! Looking forward to the assembly video!

Hi Hiram...love your videos, you are a good instructor. I have my first CD4E on my bench and I have checked my pistons and lips seals and they are correct. My issue is I'm not happy with the air test...only failure was front drum exploded from over line pressure...although the six sealing rings look good and are installed right I'm not getting a great seal on air test...plenty of trans assembly lube on everything...all pistons apply but don't hold air great...increasing air from 40 to 50 psi seems to make the test better...pump support thrust bearing is in properly and pump is aligned...still have sealing issues...any help would be greatly appreciated....was not fun to pull this trans out of 2004 awd ford escape so I want it to be right the first time ...thank you :)

great video

I have a 2002 Ford Escape. The transmission started slipping when starting out in Drive, but if I put it in 1st, it doesn't slip, then I can manually shift to 2nd, drive, etc... It doesn't feel like it slips at all once it's moving, and I pulled a 6% grade at 65 mph. When it started, there was a box around the 1, regardless of what gear was selected. P0731 and P732 codes were set (incorrect gear ratio 1 and 2). This lead me to the Range Position sensor. I pulled it, and found that a prior owner had obviously kludged the connector (looked like jb-weld on it). I replaced the sensor and the connector. Now the display always shows the correct gear, and the 1 does not always have the box around it. Now, it still doesn't start out in Drive, but once it's moving, it shifts up and down correctly. I just have to put it in 1st to get it moving. After the resetting the computer, I've driven it about 15 miles, 10 with few stops. No codes were set. It still will not start moving in Drive, if I put it in 1 or 2 it starts off, sometimes the way it should and sometimes it slips and grabs, but not too bad. When going down the road at 40 mph and I put my foot into it hard, rather than shift down it free revs. If I speed up normally it shifts correctly. Once in Drive or overdrive, it doesn't feel like it's slipping.

Great video. But wish you would have shown how you compress the return springs in the drum to get the Pistons out

Great video, man! It was extremely informative and REALLY helped me work on my project. Keep 'em coming!!

Great video... Hard to find good tear down of these transmissions. My ford probe had transmission rebuilt 7 months ago and it is already gone bad. It drives several feet and than it will pop out of gear as if its in nuetral. Primary cause was VSS

Muy bueno gracias por grabarlo.

Hiram, I have been watching the videos you made on this unit.I plan to remove the trans from my mothers 1998 contour.She just paid a guy $2600 to rebuild it and it went out again.(just out of warranty) uggg!.I suspect he did NOT do the valve body updates because she said it was "jerking" before it went out. She went to him the day before it cratered and he told her it was acting up because of the "waterpump" He said it (waterpump) was making the AT overheat.He said the transmission was unable to cool itself.(even though the car showed normal reading on the gauge. I do not know for shure,but it also appears it burped ATF out the dipstick.She said there was a huge amount of smoke coming out of the engine compartment.(not steam because the engine never overheated.) Any thoughts as to what went wrong? Oh,the car does not move and the fluid level is correct.I do not see any leaks,and she said it did not leak nor did he ever add fluid when he checked her ccar. His remedy was to replace the waterpump and radiator for $800 NO JOKE! And THEN he was going to address the transmission..IOW he was going to get her for a phantom repair.

CD4E transmission upon initial start will go into all gears and work for a few minutes then quit. Checking line pressure and stall speeds, everything is spot on when working. Issue is that at time of loss of all gears, line pressure goes to zero. Do notice a pump whine just before and during loss of pressure. Have already done several fluid changes via the drain and fill method as the original fluid was very burnt. Have seen no difference in issue.

A great video!!

I wish I had found this video sooner. Around 20:30 he mentions those sealing rings, is he saying the fluid to engage those drums is pumped through the pump shaft? This is one thing about automatic transmissions that has always confused me. How does it get the fluid to engage the drums that aren't directly connected to the case and are rotating some of the time?

Thanks for your video. Greetings from Colombia. +Sub

man, you are the best. thanks.

Great video Hiram, I just bought a ford contour 2000 from a neighbor. It was sitting up for about 2 years, I had to replace the fuel pump and bought new tires, but now when I crank it , it sounds like it wants to shut off while its just running sitting still. Then when I drive it also does some jerking and sounds like it wants to turn off, but it doesn't. Please tell me what you suggest.

I bought a reman trans and i am being told the transmission needs to be programmed before i put it in gear. That i need a scan tool? Do you know if this is true? Will a more advanced OBD 2 scanner do the job if this is true?

Hola grasias por tus videos saves tengo un mazda 626 2.0 liter y viendo tus videos me anime a reparar my trasmision. Cuando iba en 2 gear me patinava y un tanvor estaba quebrado y no servían los cluches. La arme y y se siente muy bien Asia adelante pero en reversa tiene un golpe no es muy fuerte pero lo ase .que crees q pude aver dejado mal.espero tu respuesta y Muchas gracias. ☺

Me too Amopower! Hiram, can you please add the Mazda 626 and MX-6 to your video description list? Mazda's designation is LA4A-EL but it's the same as Ford's CD4E.

Enjoyed the video. I have a 2003 Mazda Tribute 3.0 automatic 89K miles. What would the average cost be to rebuild my CD4E transmission ?

Gracias!!!!

Have you seen one of these transmissions not work until you overfill the fluid a qt or 2 my 2 4 band broke was going too fix it but was unsure no codes except 2 gear taking too long to shift.

Hi can i ask how can i know if i have a bad selenoid pack or a bad valve body in this tranmission? i have a 2008 mercury mariner and the problem is when the car is warmed up it start to fail and i got all selenoid codes, replaced the selenoid pack but it is still the same thing when the car is hot. should i replace the valve body? there is no shop to get a rebuild kit here in my country. it is very hard to diagnose too because i live in a town and there is no transmission mechanics here.

Hey am from the Republic of TrinidadandTobago I've watched your video because am in search of answers on transmission problems. However heard you highlighted a problem with Soidnoid Valve... After doing a diagnostic check I found out the (16-line pressure soilnoid valve) is the problem... i wanna find out what is causing the problem and what should I do...And would this just prolong the life of the transmission temporarily...

saludos. hace unos dias desarme una una cd4e porque no funcionaba y se habia calentado los discos de friccion yse habian pegado reemplace el el drum con los discos de fricion y ahora na funciona el drive. por ahora solo funciona reversa y lo he desarmado 2 veces para comprobar que todo esta bien y no hay drive. no que puedo hacer.

On the transmission oil pump drive shaft at 22:13 how freely is that supposed to turn after torque the six bolts? The repair manual says rotational torque of 2.65 lb_in or 0.3 Nm my torque wrench does not go that low. is that supposed to be turnable by hand? My old shaft snapped when i put it together doing a band replacement without taking out transmission. For ford escape.

I am done. I all ready replaced my twice. We’re can I buy one from you?

Another great video Hiram. Question: Do you normally replace the direct/forward drum and solenoid pack on every unit since they both are known to have problems? Also, if you could i'd like to see how you replace some of the bushings that are hard to replace. Like in the stator support or the direct/forward drum. I seem to have problems with those. Thanks again.

Hi Hiram, I have a 2001 Ford Escape 3.0 V6 4WD with 115,000 miles and I have been reading about transmission problems on the CD4E. My car currently runs fine and shifts are very smooth. Is this a car I should avoid keeping for long or is the any precautionary measure I can take to avoid having a blown transmission. Please get back to me. Thank you and great video btw

Saludos. Estoy buscando ayuda con mi transmision. Hace 3 dias comenzo a trabajar diferente. Cuando lo estoy manejando en highway,comienza a cambiar continuamente,como pulsadas. No tengo ningun codigo al momento. Es un mazda 626 1997. Desde ya,muchas gracias por su ayuda.

Is it possible to replace only the 2-4 band by removing just the pump and not performing a complete overhaul? I already installed the shift kit years ago which has allowed my original transmission to last 190,000 miles! I hope you can help me here. Thanks!

I have a 2002 ford escape 4x4 where can I get a transmission rebuild kit that has all the seals , orings, bearings, and bushings , plus all the other wearable parts like clutches . Also maybe the drive drum . Trans has 340k miles on it .

I'm looking to rebuild a CD4E transmission on my 2002 mercury cougar, what tools should I buy, and from who so that I can rebuild it the right way,thank you for the information

Hello, I have a 2005 Ford Escape with a 4cyl engine and FWD with a loud humming sound which I believe is coming from the transmission on the driver side. The noise goes away when you turn the steering wheel left while driving. Not sure if it's the left front wheel bearing, the left front CV axle or an internal problem in the transmission like a bearing. I appreciate any input that can lead me to the root cause of this noise, thank you in advance.

Wow... wonderful video

great videos sir! question, i have a ford escape 2002, will a trans from a 2007 fit in it?

2008 escape 3.0 blown out servo no codes and ran fine before it blow out can i just replace servo and any ides why blow and what to check maybe please and thank you

I was wondering if you have ever found a crack in the filters out of these transmissions or maybe a seam separation.

Have 2005 ford escape cd4e you can put in reverse fill it go in gear but won't move put in drive it will go put in 2 or 1 won't move

Hi , I have a 2006 escape. Replaced the left axle seal and it still leaks. There is some movement (slop)with the axle (front to back). Is this a worn bushing? There is a high speed shimmy also. I had the tires balanced and the shimmy still exists. Can I replace the bushing without splitting the transmission?

Muy bien saludos desde vzl hn Le cuento que Le cambie todo su ki a una trasmicion de esas asta el verbo y banda pero no ase cuarta y se tarda para entrar reversa si me poede ayudar agradesido si

Hy from Romania , i have a ford mondeo mk3 , 4 speed automatic CD4E, just buy yesterday. The problem is , the car shift at hight RMP, work ok to put in R or D but when i start the car upp hight rmp and than chage the gear .What is posible to be that problem ? to start to check

Que tal amigo? Donde lleva el filtro del aceite este tipo de transmision?

Hi Hiram, I have a 2004 mazda 3. My AT light is on, transmission shifts o.k. until it gets to 4th gear, it just revs and wont catch. i tried putting it in manual so i can keep it in 3rd gear, but after a couple minutes the MT Gear indicator that shows what gear I'm in, shuts off and it goes into automatic. After a few minutes it will drop to 2 gear and will not go to 3 or 4 gear. Is it a computer problem or a transmission problem or both?

One question. Do I have to remove the valve body to get the control selenoid out. I'm without the luxury of having the trans out, or a lift.

Hi there I have a Ford Escape 2005 3.0L all the front gears works fine except the reverse when gets hot, it shifts to reverse but doesn't move any suggestion please ? Thanks

I have a 06 mazda tribute v6 4wd.I am having rough shifting from 2nd-3rd gear up shift and 3rd-2nd downshift.It only has 77,000 miles with clean full fluid.Is this a bad solenoid pack or a bad valve body ? Also it gets even worse when cold outside ! But during the summer its not as bad.

Hello! I am from Romania, I have a Mondeo Ford, with gearbox, from 2002, 2.0 benzine, and my problem is that the car does not leave the place. It just goes in reverse. Get in speed but just go back, it doesn't goes forward, just in reverse. I have changed the oil from gearbox after I had problems but in vain.The car just goes in reverse and get in speed but just go back, it doesn't goes forward. Please can you help with some advice!! Thank you!

My mazda tribute race to about 4000 RPM and more just to get over a small grade before changing, do i need a transmission service or were can i get a factory refurbished transmission .

Is every one way sprag clutch supposed to turn clockwise? Are there some cases that sprag clutches are supposed to turn counter clockwise?

what time mark do you remove the so called internal filter.

Hello.I got a 05 mazda tribute awd.. The torque converter locked up. I changed the torque converter with a refurbished one. The trans fluid I used said it was mercon compatible.. Now I have a vibration starting at 45 mph. And the faster I go.it gets worse. Almost feels like something is out of balance. Any ideas what it could be or what I need to do? Thanks

Hello Hiram, I know this is an old video but I have an important question regarding the valve body solenoid pack. You mention an earlier versus later updated solenoid pack being identified by the color of the connector and not to use the earlier one due to torque converter clutch issues. I am replacing the solenoid pack on a 1999 Mercury Couger which has a BorgWarner solenoid pack with the earlier brown connector. My question is regarding the replacement pack I received that stated it is a updated BorgWarner solenoid pack. However, it does not have a white or light colored connector as you have identified it nor is it the brown one like I removed but is a BorgWarner with a black connector. The original one I removed has the Ford and BorgWarner logo with the part number F8RP-7G391-AA inked on the electrical cover and my replacement says BorgWarner but the Ford logo is conspicuously a blank empty spot and there is no inked or part number anywhere. Is there any way that will positively identify these apart or have I been rooked buy the seller and received an outdated solenoid because the connector is not white or light colored or worse yet is this a Chinese counterfeit. The sellers picture for the one I bought had a light grey connector but the one he sent me is black and it now seems to be an ambiguous issue to be able to identify this by the color of the connector unless all the outdated ones are brown and any other color would mean an updated one. I do not want to pay for and install an outdated or counterfeit one when the outdated one I have still functions. Nor do I want to accuse the seller of rooking me if he hasn't. Are you able to clarify this for me or not? Are there Chinese counterfeits of these? Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be clear. Thank you for your videos; they are excellent! You make a great instructor.

Is this transmission reliable with proper drain refill?

Hello, I have a 2005 Ford escape with a CD4E I have first and 3rd gear as far as it seems when I drive it. It acts like it shifts from 1 to third when I let off the gas to allow transmission to catch up and shift to third how ever it never shifts to 4 O.D. Then the engine will rev at high rpm in third gear and will drive fine. O.D. light then flashes. I removed the pump cover and the 2-4 band is not broken with i thought may be the problem. Any help would be appreciated in diagnose this transmission. Thank you.

got a prob with my cd4e trans,constantly up shifting and down shifting at higher speeds.any idea why this is happening.thanks,your the best

Hi there Wondering if u can help Ive got a 07 escape here in Australia and trans will only work in 1,2 and reverse No movement in drive. Thanku

great video.a few years ago my wife bought an 07 rabbit that shifted hard. but for 270 bucks i bought a shift kit and the cars been amazing ever since. i can fix almost anything on a car but a trany expert i am not. i have looked and looked and can not find the answer to this issue. my son has a 2000 626 4 cylinder. the car lost drive. i checked the fluid and it was low. i filled it and the same issue. but if i put it in 1 or 2 it drives fine. if i turn the od off it will drive fine but a little hesitation before 1st will ingage. but will shift 1 2 3 . just no od. but once im driving about 30 mph in 3rd, i can switch od back on and it will go into od and run fine till i slow down. i am not sure but seems to me to be a pressure issue. am i wrong? i have done some trany work but its limited. i dont like not knowing how to fix things. this might be my first solo rebuild. the car is not worth a 1000 dollar swap. any info would be greatly appresheated.

how come you don't keep things In sequence as you remove them out, a guy would never put it back together if he did it your way.

Thank for video.

How in hell could you put that back together without leaving something out? And the bolts - are they different lengths for different positions? How to get them back in the right position..... Is this # 500 for you? Seems like it would take that many to get this good at it.

I have questions of the same transmission but mines is from a 2008 and the oil is black now and it goes in to gear and then it goes blank just revs and dont go to gear for nothing for my knowing I think the clutches burn cuz some one told me if the traction control breakes it does that but idk if is what I think or what the other person told me idk i need help is my mom's car that I'm fixing

I have a 2001 ford escape the trans or something makes a clunk and sometimes grind when down shifting while going uphill

i have a 04 scape leaking transmission seal. you tink i need rebuilt? its working perfect only leaks a 1/4 to 1/2 a week

Hey I have a cd4e that has forward movement in all gears. Parking pin holds it back but you cannot rev the engine due to it trying to move the vehicle. In reverse it is in both reverse and drive. Any idea where I should start?

What rebuild kit are you using?

hi, bro. i have a ford tribute 4 cyls., and when is cold change gear without prob. but after run about haft hour doesn't take not gear, wait two minutes a go again until next 15 to 20 minutes. Do you think that filter can cause that or something else. there's not code on it or dashb. ligth. pls . give me a help, Thank.

Hi..i have 2001 model mazda 626..it has some bearing noice (Hop so) i am not sure its from automatic trans..it cames aftr 60 kmh only..any idea..

Great videos, I have a quick question. I have a 2006 ford escape with the cd4e and I'm wondering if they also need the shift kit done on the valve body or did they correct the problem by that point. Thanks again your videos are extremely helpful.

Maestro tendrá el vídeo en Español 😁

Do you have a video on a xc90 Volvo t6 transmission ?

i have a mazda tribute that will go in the drive gear but will not move, it will move in all other gears.... what do you think is the issue?

I repairing one if these and replaced 2 4 band without taking out transmission and the pump shaft twisted afteri put it back together. Anyone knows Why would the pump shaft get twisted?

Como puedo sacar la panpa de haseite.de la transmisión for escape 6 silindro 20014×4

Hey maestro donde huvicado! No da clases para mecanicos interesados en aprender mas experiencia!

If is posible convert on ford probe from this auto gearbox into manual?

amigo buenos dias como esta sera posible de que puede montar un video del desarme de la caja de mazda 6 fn5 doble cuerpo de valvulas