Description

Mitsubishi Motors F4A41, F4A42, F4A51 2000 Technical Manual

You’ve got a transmission on the bench that won’t shift right, and the aftermarket “manual” you obtained from some forum has the wrong endplay specs. I’ve been there. This Mitsubishi Motors F4A41, F4A42, F4A51 2000 Technical Manual is what the dealer techs used when these units were current. It’s not a reprint. It’s the actual OEM file from Mitsubishi Motors, published June 2000, 118 pages of factory-procedures. No guesswork, no generic data.

Specifications: The Foundation of Any Rebuild

Before you pull a single snap ring, you need the numbers. Chapter 1 opens with the transmission model table that tells you which bell housing and which valve body goes with which engine family. Then you get general specifications – fluid capacity, line pressure ranges, clutch clearance limits. The service specifications list every clearance and wear limit in inches. You don’t have to convert metric. It’s all imperial. The valve body spring identification table on page 23A-1-3 shows you the free length and outer diameter of every spring in the valve body. Mix those up and you’ll get harsh shifts or a no-drive condition. Period.

Valve Body Spring Identification Table

That spring table is the difference between a transmission that works and one that chatters. Each spring is identified by color code and length. The table lists them by location: damper clutch control, shift control, lock-up control – all of them. If you drop a spring and lose track, you can’t guess. You need the factory table. This manual gives it to you straight.

Torque Specifications: Factory Data Only

Torque values are on page 23A-1-9. They cover every fastener: oil pump bolts, valve body bolts, transfer drive gear nuts, differential ring gear bolts. All in foot-pounds. No “tighten until snug” nonsense. You get numbers like 35 ft-lb for the valve body bolts and 87 ft-lb for the drive plate bolts. Use a torque wrench. I don’t care if you think you can feel it. That’s how you strip threads in an aluminum case.

What Does the Oil Pump Section Cover?

Chapter 4 walks you through oil pump disassembly and reassembly. It shows the inner and outer rotor clearance check with feeler gauges. The pump cover bolt torque is listed. If your transmission has no forward motion, the pump is usually the first suspect. This section tells you how to measure the crescent clearance and side clearance. You’ll need a set of feeler gauges and a straightedge. Both specs are in the service specs table.

Use the Special Tools Listed in Chapter 2

Mitsubishi designed special tools for these transmissions. The manual lists part numbers and describes what each tool does. You can often substitute a common tool, but you need to know the critical dimensions. For example, the input shaft holding tool is needed to remove the underdrive clutch hub nut. Without it, you’ll damage the clutch pack. Don’t skip that chapter.

Transmission Overhaul: 15 Chapters of Factory Procedure

The manual splits the transmission into 15 chapters. Each chapter covers a subassembly: oil pump, underdrive clutch and input shaft, reverse and overdrive clutch, overdrive planetary carrier (with separate section for the one-way clutch variants), low-reverse brake, second brake, output shaft, transfer drive gear (for units built before Dec. 1997), differential, valve body, speedometer gear, and drive shaft oil seal. Every chapter includes disassembly, inspection, clearance measurement, and reassembly with torque values. The reverse clutch section tells you the correct clutch plate count for each model. The second brake section shows the piston return spring free height. That level of detail.

If you’re rebuilding one of these for a customer or for yourself, you need the factory manual. The aftermarket copies skip the snap ring adjustment tables and the thrust washer selection chart. Here you get the full snap ring, spacer, thrust washer, thrust race, and pressure plate adjustment data. That’s how you set endplay without guesswork.

Aftermarket vs. Factory Manual – A Real Difference

I’ve seen “technical manuals” from third-party publishers that glue together generic data from multiple models. They get the torque value wrong by 10 ft-lb. That’s enough to warp a valve body. This document is a direct scan of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation publication PWEE9514-F. It’s the same manual the factory techs had in 2000. The wiring diagrams, the hydraulic circuit charts, the spring identification – all original. No reprints, no copy.

For a related model, check the Mitsubishi F4A41, F4A42, F4A51 Automatic Transmission Manual”>Mitsubishi F4A41, F4A42, F4A51 automatic transmission manual for additional details on these same units. If you work on other Mitsubishi platforms, the Mitsubishi Motors 3000GT 1992 Technical Manual – 216-Page Factory Specs”>3000GT 1992 technical manual covers the entire vehicle. For engine work, the Mitsubishi Motors 4G63, 4G64 1998 Technical Manual – 122-Page Factory Specs”>4G63 and 4G64 engine manual has torque specs for head bolts and main caps.

Need background on automatic transmission technology? The Automotive Industry Overview”>Automotive Industry Overview explains planetary gear theory. If you want to compare with manual units, read the Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission article to understand the differences in clutch application.

Does this manual cover the F4A51 model?

Yes. All three models F4A41, F4A42, F4A51 are covered.

How many pages is the manual?

118 pages total, including specifications and diagrams.

Can I use this for a 1999 transmission?

This manual covers up to the year 2000. For earlier models, check the build date. The transfer drive gear section notes differences for F4A41 and F4A42 built before December 1997. If your transmission is outside that range, the general specifications still apply, but some parts may have been updated. Always verify the model table on the first page of specifications.

What torque specs are listed?

Torque specifications are on page 23A-1-9. They cover bell housing bolts, valve body bolts, and more.

You need this manual on your bench. Not a summary from some forum. The real factory document. Access the Factory Manual and start your rebuild with the right numbers.