Talkin’ ’Bout My Gen-eration - Transmission Digest

Talkin’ ’Bout My Gen-eration

A perfect example of rapid transmission evolution is the ZF six-speeds. In these units, modifications to the mechatronic (Figure 1) were made in 2006 to increase oil flow, which reduced the duration of the shifts. So ZF6 “Generation 1” ranges from 2000 to 2005 and encompasses the ZF 6HP19/26/32 versions; ZF6 “Generation 2” ranges from 2006 through current production and refers to ZF 6HP21/28/34 units. These 19, 26, 32 and 21, 28 and 34 numbers designate sequentially larger amounts of torque capacity of the transmission.

Talkin’ ’Bout My Gen-eration

TASC Force Tips

Subject: Differences in Generation 1 and 2 valve bodies
Unit: ZF 6-speed
Essential Reading: Rebuilder, Diagnostician
Author: Maura Stafford

©2010 Sonnax Industries

TASC Force Tips

  • Subject: Differences in Generation 1 and 2 valve bodies
  • Unit: ZF 6-speed
  • Essential Reading: Rebuilder, Diagnostician
  • Author: Maura Stafford

Much like classic rock songs, it seems as though non-electronic and now non-computerized valve bodies are becoming the oldies but goodies. The Turbo 400, C6 or 904 that was gone through without scan tools or meters is like songs we originally heard on vinyl records. Sure, they might have skipped a gear or a beat, but with a slight nudge they were still functional. And rebuilding an A413 or 200-4R valve body now seems almost as easy as sticking in a cassette tape and tapping along; if one of these units comes into the shop, your hands start rebuilding them instinctively – no reference material required. Yeah, maybe a unit with too many miles rolls in that needs to be replaced, like a cassette with too many listens and the tape started crinkling and pulling out. Still, working on these primarily hydraulic-only units can be fun and almost carefree, like hearing an old favorite play on the classics station and being able to sing along because you know all the words by heart.

Then came the era of ’80s and ’90s music and transmissions like the AODE, A518 and 4L60-E produced with electronics. Meters and scan tools needed to be purchased, cars started having CD players instead of cassette decks, and even hard-rocking groups like Van Halen started adding synthesized keyboards. Parts catalogs had to include a section titled “Electronic Components” for these new transmissions.

Fast-forward to today and we’re at the dawning of a new mechatronic age in which valve bodies have computers attached to them and you can store roomfuls of albums on your laptop, iPod® or thumb drive. Is your vehicle having a drivability complaint? Maybe it just needs to have the computer re-flashed. Like that new Springsteen song? Download it from iTunes® right now. And how about the CAN-bus technology and the ability of all the vehicle’s systems to communicate with each other? Or, on second thought, maybe I’ll just add that Springsteen song to my cloud so that I can access it from my home computer, TV, smart phone and Kindle®.

Technology is crazy stuff, and it’s already changed dramatically within our generation. And I don’t think it’s gonna just f-fade away. It’s going to keep progressing and we need to as well if we want to stay in business – continuous learning is essential!

Even within these new, cutting-edge transmissions, it seems as though the learning curve on how to improve performance has shifted into high gear – the generation gap within some of these new transmissions is sometimes five years or less – making it a challenge to keep up with changes and properly identify units.

A perfect example of rapid transmission evolution is the ZF six-speeds. In these units, modifications to the mechatronic (Figure 1) were made in 2006 to increase oil flow, which reduced the duration of the shifts. So ZF6 “Generation 1” ranges from 2000 to 2005 and encompasses the ZF 6HP19/26/32 versions; ZF6 “Generation 2” ranges from 2006 through current production and refers to ZF 6HP21/28/34 units. These 19, 26, 32 and 21, 28 and 34 numbers designate sequentially larger amounts of torque capacity of the transmission.

Much like the differences in societal generations, the Generation 1 vs. Generation 2 changes in the ZF6 are subtle, yet non-interchangeable (the Ford 6R60 and 6R80 seem unaffected by the generation change and are typical of the ZF6 Generation 1). These ZF Mechatronic units may look nearly identical externally, but they are programmed differently and do not act the same.

The photos in figures 2-17 show the differences between the ZF6 Generation 1 and 2 valve-body components for both the “M-shift” (manual valve) and “E-shift” (solenoid-controlled manual valve) version. There are some obvious differences between the E- and M-shift versions with each generation, which would be expected because of the method in which the manual valve is operated. Upon closer examination, though, there are significant differences between Generation 1 and 2 whether you are looking at the E- or M-shift versions; even many of the end plugs are slightly different in size. Attention to detail is a definite must when you’re rebuilding these valve bodies. (By the way, forget about trying to swap Generation 1 and Generation 2 solenoids – they have different flow rates. In fact, during a rebuild, you should make every effort to put a solenoid back in its original location because the TCM learns their flow rates.)

You can identify the ZF6 mechatronic as a Generation 1 or 2 prior to taking apart the valve body by counting the number of orifices on the bosses on the cast side of the upper valve body (Figure 18). A Generation 1 unit has only six orifices, with six accumulator pistons mating in the bores inside the valve body. A Generation 2 has seven orifices and accumulator pistons.

Another way to verify generation is by measuring a ZF6 unit’s pressure-regulator valve and sleeve (Figure 19). A note of caution, though: There are some BMW 6- and 7-series transmissions that have six accumulators, but completely different-sized pressure-regulator valves from either a ZF6 Generation 1 or 2 mechatronic. Because of diameter and length differences in both the valve and sleeve, none of these parts can be interchanged.

The changes to the ZF six-speed are not an exception or anomaly among mechatronics. I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation, but you’ll be seeing these types of rapid changes occurring in the 6T40s, 722.9s etc. That’s right – we’re talkin’ ’bout a new generation.

Maura Stafford is a Sonnax project engineer and a member of the TASC Force® (Technical Automotive Specialties Committee), a group of recognized industry technical specialists, transmission rebuilders and Sonnax Industries Inc. technicians.

©2010 Sonnax Industries

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