Greetings.

I noticed something queer when looking about for general information on the AW-7x transmission: There appear to be three polymer ***** which are incorporated into the valve body in these units:

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-9.../AW7Xpage3.htm

This would seem to be tremendously bad-practice from an engineering standpoint in context here; absolutely guaranteeing specific failure at some point. Planned obsolescence, anyone?

In various corners, some claim complete removal of these ***** will do nothing more than increase shift engagement speeds, and recommend omitting them entirely for improved operational durability. At the same time, some also seem to claim rapid transmission failure shortly thereafter, for no well-elucidated reasons in particular.

So, with this all being as clear as mud, can someone pass along savvy as to:

• What each of these plastic ***** actually do; and
• What failure(s) or benefit(s) could actually be attributed to their omission from the valve body.

Again, this looks like plastic on metal here, folks. Seems to be rather poor engineering IMHO. Perhaps replacement with correctly-sized aluminum ***** would be of some reasonable benefit when servicing this assembly (any experience out there?)...

Thanks --

 

the AW7x is one of the most rugged and long lasting transmissions used anywhere. it powered millions of toyota 2x4 pickup trucks, as well as supras and such

 

Thanks, Pierce; but failures here are not too uncommon.

See:
https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-9...AW70Hardshifts

 

I don't mess with the insides of automatics, anything but. But I agree that these Toyota derived AWs are as reliable as trannies get!