4R70W Transmission Rebuild Cost
The 4R70W transmission is the most popular one used by Ford F-series owners. It has four forward gears and up to 420 lb-ft of torque.
Known for being reliable, there still comes a time when even this transmission will need a rebuild.
Here are all the options, including the 4R70W transmission rebuild cost.
Knowing Your Options
When it comes to replacing your 4R70W transmission, there are three options:
- Exchange it with a used one
- Choose a rebuilt one
- Choose a remanufactured one
Used 4R70W transmission
The most affordable and money-saving option would be to exchange your 4R70W transmission with another already-used one. The downside is that finding a suitable 4R70W transmission can be difficult, and you may waste more time than money.
Rebuilt 4R70W transmission
Rebuilding a transmission can mean several things. It all depends on what you want replaced and what each shop can replace.
A standard rebuild will only replace worn-out parts while items still in “good condition” are returned into the transmission. That is why most rebuilt transmissions have only a 10-12 thousand miles warranty.
Remanufactured 4R70W transmission
Unlike a rebuilt, a remanufactured 4R70W transmission will have all the original manufacturer’s parts and updates, increasing its maximum longevity. The remanufacturing process is similar to the assembly process that takes place in the factory.
The remanufacturing process is the most expensive of the three. Because of that, most remanufactured transmissions have a minimum warranty of three years.
4R70W Transmission Rebuild Cost
Rebuilding a 4R70W transmission is often done using an already assembled kit consisting of all the necessary parts. A complete rebuild kit will have all of the following parts:
- O-rings
- Gaskets
- Sealing rings
- Lip seals
- Metal clad seals
- Four intermediate and five reverse friction clutch plates
- Five forward and six direct high-performance clutch plates
- Four intermediate, five reverse, five forward, and six direct steel plates
- Washer kit
- Bushing Kit
- Filter
- Overdrive servo
- Reverse servo with a servo cover
- Rear sprag assembly
- Front Kevlar band
- Rear band
- Shift performance kit
- 1-2 accumulators with accumulator cover
- Trans oil temperature sensor
- EPC motor
- Dual shift solenoid
- TCC solenoid
Depending on the model and year of your vehicle, a kit consisting of these parts will cost anywhere between $300-1,500.
A standard rebuild of your 4R70W transmission’s torque converter will cost you an additional $300-400.
Opting for a complete kit is better, as each piece costs more when bought separately.
Additional workshop and tax costs to rebuilding your 4R70W transmission:
- Removing & installing: around $500
- Transmission fluid: around $30-40
- Transmission filter kit: around $50
In the end, the total 4R70W transmission rebuild cost will vary anywhere between $1,000-3,000 if you choose a complete rebuild kit.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the 4R70W transmission rebuild cost isn’t cheap. In fact, it is pretty close to remanufacturing the entire unit.
Unfortunately, not all workshops can order and install OEM parts, which is why rebuilding the transmission with third-party manufactured parts is also a great option. You only need to pay attention to choosing high-quality parts, even if they come at a higher price.
Related article: 4R75E Transmission Rebuild Cost
