Aisin Warner; Ford; General Motors; PSA [Peugeot & Citroën] AF40-6

Transmission general data

The 6-speed front drive automatic transmission AW TF80SC (AF40-6) has been available on the market since 2003 as more expensive alternative of the 4-speed AW50-40 and the 5-speed AW55-50 for 2-... 4-liter cars: Ford (as AF40-6), Mazda (as AW6A-EL), Volvo, SAAB, Opel, Fiat and all "French" automakers Peugeot-Citroen-Renault (as AM6).

The family of AW TF80SC transmissions has two different sub-modification, for two classes of engines: "middle class" (up to 2.0 liters)- AF40-6\TF80SC and AF21\TF81SC - "heavy duty" (2.0 - 4.0liters) and has the torque capacity of up to 450 Nm.

Technical issues and repair guidelines

The torque converter intensively contaminates the ATF with dust from carbon friction lining. Almost each transmission repair includes cutting of the torque converter and replacement of the friction lining. The worn-out friction lining of the torque converter has a negative impact on the valve body. The more aggressively the driver pushes on the gas pedal, the earlier the computer switches on the slipping mode of the torque converter friction, resulting in rapid wear-out of friction plates and the necessity to rebuild the the torque converter and the valve body. This transmission is sensitive not only to contaminated oil, but also to the wear-out of teflon rings (where oil leakages may occur). The operation with worn-out spare parts leads to burning of frictions, and later to problems with solenoids and the valve body.

The whole kit of friction discs is replaced in case of burnt oil. The package С2 (4-5-6) is usually the first to burn (in some cases it may be the package 1-2-3-4 Clutch (C1)). The standard kit for reassembly includes the kit of pistons. (С2 piston+retainer, retainers С1 and С3). The kit includes the most popular pistons ordered by transmission specialists. In case of burnt ATF, it is also recommended to replace the Reverse brake band , because its friction lining is affected by burnt ATF. The problem of frictions burning are usually related to the wear-out of teflon rings.

The pump bushing turns out to be the most vulnerable part in the TF80 transmission, in case of the torque converter parts wearout. Problems may also occur in the differential (in AWD Mazda CX7, CX9). The problem lies in the spline failure. This issue is caused by the ECU settings, allowing overloading.

Generally, the TF-80SC transmission is extremely reliable and successful 6-speed unit, which causes less problems in comparison with its predecessors TF60SN and AW55-50. It may be considered as an “invincible” solution and the most maintenance-friendly 6-speed automatic transmission.