Lincoln Town Car Automatic Transmission RTA
Introduction
The Lincoln Town Car is a full-size luxury sedan that was produced by Lincoln from 1981 to 2011. The Town Car was available with a variety of engine options, but the most common was the 4.6L V8. The Town Car was also available with either a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive system.
The Town Car’s automatic transmission was a four-speed unit that was known as the AOD (Automatic Overdrive) transmission. The AOD transmission was first introduced in 1980, and it was used in a variety of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The AOD transmission was a reliable and durable unit, but it was not without its problems.
RTA (Reverse Thrust Assist)
One of the most common problems with the AOD transmission was the failure of the reverse thrust assist (RTA) clutch. The RTA clutch is a small clutch that is located inside the transmission. The purpose of the RTA clutch is to prevent the transmission from engaging reverse when the vehicle is moving forward. If the RTA clutch fails, the transmission will engage reverse when the vehicle is moving forward, which can cause the vehicle to lurch and stall.
There are a number of symptoms that can indicate a failed RTA clutch. These symptoms include:
- The transmission engages reverse when the vehicle is moving forward.
- The vehicle lurches or stalls when the transmission is shifted into reverse.
- The transmission makes a grinding noise when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.
Replacing the RTA Clutch
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to have the RTA clutch replaced as soon as possible. Replacing the RTA clutch is a relatively simple procedure that can be completed in a few hours. However, it is important to note that the RTA clutch is located inside the transmission, so it is necessary to remove the transmission from the vehicle in order to replace the clutch.
Once the transmission has been removed from the vehicle, the RTA clutch can be replaced by following these steps:
- Remove the transmission pan.
- Remove the valve body.
- Remove the RTA clutch piston.
- Install the new RTA clutch piston.
- Install the new valve body.
- Install the new transmission pan.
Once the RTA clutch has been replaced, the transmission can be reinstalled in the vehicle. It is important to note that the transmission must be filled with the correct type of fluid before it is reinstalled. Once the transmission has been reinstalled, the vehicle should be test driven to ensure that the RTA clutch is working properly.
Conclusion
The RTA clutch is an important part of the AOD transmission. If the RTA clutch fails, it can cause the transmission to engage reverse when the vehicle is moving forward, which can cause the vehicle to lurch and stall. Replacing the RTA clutch is a relatively simple procedure that can be completed in a few hours. However, it is important to note that the RTA clutch is located inside the transmission, so it is necessary to remove the transmission from the vehicle in order to replace the clutch.
