4R70W Sun Shell 2005, used and ready to install. Fits the 4R70W. Ships fast from the USA.
A 2005 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis or Town Car that flares out of first and never finds second or overdrive, or a 4.6L F-150 or E-Series van that suddenly has no Reverse, often has a cracked sun shell inside. This is a used OEM sun shell listed for the 2005 4R70W, pulled as a serviceable part, for owners who have already found a broken shell at teardown or have the classic lost-gears pattern.
Every forward gear and Reverse in this transmission comes from a single compound gearset with two sun gears. The shell is the bell-shaped steel stamping that carries the large reverse sun gear and locks into the reverse clutch drum by its tabs. When the reverse clutch drives it you get Reverse at 2.32:1. When it is held, by the intermediate clutch and diode in second or by the overdrive band in fourth, you get 1.55:1 and 0.70:1. One part reacting against engine torque in three ranges is why a crack at the base of the gear takes several gears away at once.
By 2005 the shell was the strengthened late design that ATRA's interchange notes describe: two-piece riveted or one-piece, with thicker metal along the chamfer at the gear base, and about .030 in. less height between the bottom of the gear and the bearing surface to fit a thicker two-piece bearing. The bigger 2005 change is the transmission around it. The Panther cars, the 4.6L E-Series and the 4.6L F-150 had moved to the electronic 4R70E, which adds a turbine speed sensor that reads the forward drum through this shell. ATRA warns that the E units need a non-magnetic shell; a magnetic one gives harsh or no shifts and ratio or speed sensor codes.
A burned intermediate clutch, an overdrive servo that will not apply or low line pressure can produce the same missing second and fourth. Pull codes, check the pan, and read line pressure first. Our Crown Victoria common problems guide covers the overdrive servo and pressure regulator wear that fools people on the Panther cars, and the F-150 shift problems guide covers the trucks. If the frictions look good but the magnet is full of steel, the gear train is coming out, and a split shell is obvious once you can see it.
This shell is listed for 2005. Many 2005 vehicles that people call 4R70W are actually 4R70E or 4R75E units, so read the tag on your transmission case before ordering. If yours is an E unit, hold a magnet to the shell when it arrives: if the magnet sticks, it does not belong in an E transmission. The late shell also has to stay with its matching thicker bearing and forward sun gear; mixing it with early parts upsets end play. Compare your old shell to the photo and send us your year and VIN if you are unsure. For an earlier car see the 2004 4R70W sun shell, and the rest of the family is in the 4R70W collection.
| Fits | 4R70W 2005 |
| Part type | Sun Shell |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Most 2005 Panther cars, including the Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car, use the electronic 4R70E. Read the tag on the case. If it is an E unit, the shell must be non-magnetic, so test it with a magnet before installing.
Not by itself. The late shell is about .030 in. shorter at the bearing surface and uses a thicker bearing, so ATRA says the shell, bearing and forward sun gear have to be swapped as a set or end play will be off.
In third the gearset is locked up and turns as one unit, so the shell is not holding anything. Second, overdrive and Reverse all depend on the shell, which is why those go missing together.
The thrust bearing under the gear, the filter, and any frictions full of steel. Check the forward sun gear, reverse drum tabs and planet carrier, and flush the cooler so debris does not come back.
MERCON V. Ford's Motorcraft MERCON V guidance warns not to use it where MERCON LV, SP or Type F is specified, but the 2005 units call for MERCON V.
