RW> Don't forget your mechanic's coveralls...

Those would be my ripped old jeans and old shirt.  And did I get messy! 
The weather wasn't exactly nice.  Foggy, damp and in the low 40s. 
Everything was wet.

RW> If you have to remove the valve body, be careful how you handle it. There
RW> are (in GM trans) rubber balls that act like valves that can't be lost or
RW> moved without affecting the way the trans operates. Just a heads up, in
RW> case you decide to tackle it without the exact process in hand.

Thanks for the tip.  The "solenoid pack" on the 45RFE
transmission for the 4.7 4x4 Durango is on the top of the value body.  You
can see the connector facing upwards when looking at the transmission.  It
is screwed on the top of the value body.  

I have been having second thoughts about the repair.  Mainly because I'm
not 100% sure that my repair will fix the issue.  There is a good chance,
but not 100%.  It still could be the torque converter itself.  Spending
$200 for a new solenoid pack, plus filters, trans fluid, gasket, time
spent, etc vs. an entire overhaul with two year warranty.  Not to mention
the possibility of me screwing it up.

Speaking of repairs - I managed to replace the pressure line and return
line on the power steering this weekend...almost.  I was on the last part -
removing the clamp & hose from the resevoir on the pump.

Then there was a snap..  Damn plastic resevoir end broke off.  No problem,
right - just get a new resevoir.  There are not to be found - and different
in the 4.7L than the hemis.

So I decided to order a new pump with pulley and resevoir from AutoZone
online.  There were the only ones that had the part, but it was special
order.  Looks like I will be finishing the repair next weekend in my garage
with the portable heater on.  Will also replace the serpentine belt while
I'm at it.

It doesn't even there.  I also noticed that the "loud noise" that
my wife was complaining about the last time she drove it was not the power
steering pump being low on fluid (which is normally the issue), but was a
broken CV axle.

Totally snapped in half.  The inner side of the axle is missing completely
and the outer is still in the hub with no boot.  Grease all over the place.

I ordered a CV axle as well, and will attempt that repair at the same time.
 I have done wheel bearings before, so it is similar to that.  Just have to
make sure the "C" clamp is seated on the inner.  Will try to
install without removing the wheel bearing, but the install calls for doing
that.  Either way - I have air tools now to make my job easier.

- Mark

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