Solenoid stabilizers and methods for stabilizing solenoids in valve bodies

A method to stabilize a solenoid in a transmission fluid valve body, the valve body having bores therein collinear with one another and collinear with a movable valve stem, and a slot in the valve body between the bores, the solenoid having body, a shoulder, a head, and a neck between the head and the shoulder, the solenoid positioned in the valve body with the neck located at the slot, the method comprising:

• positioning a stabilizer in a spring retainer,
• the spring retainer having an inverted U-shaped body with corresponding front and rear walls, each the front and rear walls having a top and legs, the legs defining free ends opposite the top, the front and rear walls joined to one another at their respective free ends, at a bend, to space the front and rear walls from one another,
• the stabilizer having an inverted U-shaped body corresponding to the inverted U-shaped body of the spring retainer and having a top and legs, the legs defining free ends opposite the top, the stabilizer being positioned in the spring retainer between the front and rear walls;
• and
• inserting the spring retainer and the stabilizer on the solenoid neck in the slot, such that the front wall of the spring retainer rests on and applies a force on the solenoid head, and a portion of the rear wall of the spring retainer rests on a rear wall of the valve body slot.

In combination, a spring retainer and stabilizer that secures a solenoid in a transmission fluid valve body, the valve body having bores therein collinear with one another and collinear with a movable valve stem, and a slot in the valve body between the bores, the solenoid having body, a shoulder, a head, and a neck between the head and the shoulder, the solenoid positioned in the valve body with the neck located at the slot, the combination comprising:

• the spring retainer having an inverted U-shaped body with a top and legs, the legs having free ends opposite the top, the top having an outwardly extending lip;
• the stabilizer having an inverted U-shaped body corresponding to the inverted U-shaped body of the spring retainer and having a top and legs, the legs defining free ends opposite the top portion, the stabilizer configured for positioning abutting the spring retainer with the stabilizer top positioned on the outwardly extending lip, wherein the spring retainer and stabilizer are is positioned on the solenoid neck in the slot, such that the stabilizer rests on and applies a force on the solenoid head, and a rear surface of the spring retainer rests on a rear wall of the valve body slot, and wherein the stabilizer maintains a spacing between the spring retainer front and rear walls when the spring retainer is installed to secure the solenoid in the transmission fluid valve body.