Drop-in signal accumulator piston kit and method for replacing an original equipment signal accumulator piston

A method for replacing an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit, the OE signal accumulator piston positioned in a bore in a valve body having a fluid port, the method comprising:

• removing the OE signal accumulator piston from the bore;
• installing a seal in the bore;
• installing a cylindrical sleeve having open first and second ends in the bore;
• positioning a piston in sleeve;
• and
• positioning a spring in part in the piston and in part extending beyond the piston;
• wherein the sleeve, the piston, and the spring are enclosed within the valve body bore with the seal sealing between a bottom wall of the valve body bore and the sleeve, and wherein a head of the piston is positioned in facing relationship to the fluid port.

A drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly to replace an original equipment (OE) signal accumulator piston in a vehicle transmission hydraulic circuit, the OE signal accumulator piston positioned in a bore in a valve body having an open end and a fluid port, the drop-in signal accumulator piston assembly comprising:

• a cylindrical sleeve having open first and second ends, one of the first and second open ends having a reduced diameter region relative to an outer wall of the sleeve;
• a piston positioned in the sleeve;
• a spring positioned in part in the piston and in part extending beyond and end of the piston;
• and
• a seal positioned at the reduced diameter region,
• wherein the sleeve is positioned in the valve body bore, with the seal, the piston, and the spring, such that the seal is positioned between side and bottom walls of the valve body bore and wherein the seal provides a seal between the valve body bore and the sleeve.