How to Adjust the Transmission Band on a Jeep Grand Cherokee

by Teri Stryker

pignons image by Dominique LUZY from Fotolia.com

Smooth shifts are expected of a vehicle's transmission. However, this does not always happen. Loose bands will slip. Tight bands will be destroyed. That is why adjustment needs to be done properly. Adjusting the band should not be needed unless the vehicle is used for heavy hauling on a regular basis. Extremely high mileage or actual slippage or other erratic shifting problems are also reasons to adjust the band.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Front Band (kickdown) Adjustment

Step 1

Disconnect the negative cable on the battery. Chock the rear wheels with a block of wood. Engage the emergency brake.

Step 2

Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack. Place a jack stand underneath the frame on both sides of the vehicle. Slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests on the jack stands. Remove the jack.

Step 3

Locate the adjusting screw locknut on the left side of the transmission. Loosen the adjusting screw locknut five turns with a socket and ratchet. Loosen the adjusting screw a few turns with a wrench. Make sure the screw turns freely. Apply penetrating oil if necessary.

Step 4

Tighten the screw to the specified torque with a torque wrench. Loosen the screw the number of specified turns.

Step 5

Hold the screw with a pair of pliers. Tighten the locknut to the specified torque with a torque wrench.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Rear Band (low reverse) Adjustment

Step 1

Disconnect the negative cable on the battery. Chock the rear wheels with a block of wood. Engage the parking brake.

Step 2

Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack. Place jack stands on each side of the vehicle underneath the frame. Slowly lower the jack until the vehicle rests on the jack stands.

Step 3

Place the drain pan underneath the transmission pan. Remove the rear and side pan mounting bolts with a socket and ratchet. Only loosen the front bolts four turns.

Step 4

Pry the transmission pan loose with a flathead screwdriver. Allow the fluid to drain. Remove the remaining bolts, pan and gasket. Clean the gasket surface, with a gasket scraper, to remove all traces of the old gasket and sealant.

Step 5

Drain the fluid from the transmission pan. Clean the pan with solvent. Dry the pan with paper towels or old rags.

Step 6

Locate the rear band adjusting screw on the rear band lever. Loosen the the adjusting screw locknut four turns with a ratchet and socket. Make sure the screw turns freely in the lever.

Step 7

Tighten the adjusting screw to the torque specifications listed. Tighten the locknut to the specified torque while holding the screw with pliers.

Step 8

Place a small bead of RTV sealant on each side of the gasket. Install the new gasket on the transmission pan. Put the pan in place. Work around the pan, tightening each bolt a little at a time to 144 in-lbs with a torque wrench.

Step 9

Raise the vehicle with a jack. Remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

Step 10

Add two quarts of transmission fluid through the filler tube. Run the engine at a fast idle. Move the gear selector through each range and back to neutral. Check the transmission fluid level. Add fluid if necessary.