5R55E question for our trans. wizards...

Eneurb · 01-18-2005, 09:04 PM

Not to get into too much detail (yet), but do you think a leaking intermidiate servo could cause a soft 3-4 shift??

Glacier991 · 01-20-2005, 07:45 PM

Could. But then it could be a myriad of other things too.... accumulator hydraulic circuits, sticky shift valve... partially plugged solenoid are just some other things that come to mind..I'd defer to Brain on this one...he's more knowledgeable about the 5R Valve body, which is where I suspect it is.

Eneurb · 01-22-2005, 06:55 AM

I've answered my own question. Let me get into detail a little. Truck came into me with a flare up shifting from 3-4. I dropped the valve body to intall a pressure plate and found an air leak in the direct clutch. Disassembled the trans. to find a cracked direct clutch piston. Yay!! Put it back together (with a new valve body also), reinstalled and it drove great... for the first 4 shifts and the exact concern redeveloped. It has been suggested to me that if the intermidate band is hanging up it may cause the problem, but I feel that I would have concerns in more areas than just the 3-4 shift. I have since removed and disassembled the trans. again, and there appear to be hairline cracks in the center support, and the fluid does go through it on its way to the direct clutch... So I'll find out on Monday when my new center support comes in.

Glacier991 · 01-22-2005, 09:51 AM

You bring up an interesting point never really discussed around here.. the use of an air presssure plate to test circuits in an automatic transmission... Few people even know they exist, let alone their use, or use them...might be worth a thread. Good job btw!

Eneurb · 01-23-2005, 09:25 AM

Whenever I reassemble an automatic transmission I put the air test plate on and test all my clutch packs, servos and pistons as I reassemble... in effort to prevent the problem that I am faced with right now... but nothing is fool proof.

Eneurb · 01-26-2005, 06:21 PM

Here's my final answer. After removing and over-hauling the trans. 3 times, air plate testing every step of the way, new center support and 3 valve bodies, I have decided that I must have an internal case leak. It's unfortunate when such a simple job goes to junk like this. Oh well.

Glacier991 · 01-26-2005, 06:52 PM

Have you put a pressure gauge on the various taps? AN internal case leak, while possible seems like the Zebra... When the problem may be a horse.

You are clearly HIGHLY knowledgeable. What are your current symptoms?

Eneurb · 01-26-2005, 07:35 PM

Both line and epc pressures are in spec in all ranges and change with rpm and gear applications just as they should. There is a flare-up shifting from 3rd to 4th at all times after warm. I ended up going to let the owner of a local trans. shop test drive the truck for me this afternoon. He explained to me that he had the EXACT same symptom with a 1999 5r55e... after numerous teardowns he opted to change the case and all was fine. I have been as thorough as you can possibly be, and after 3 valve bodies I have eliminated them. Unfortunately there is no real way to verify a problem in the case.

Glacier991 · 01-26-2005, 08:24 PM

Fascinating. I am learning all the time. Any ideas to WHAT in the case is the culprit?

*IAmTodd* · 01-26-2005, 08:38 PM

I think somebody knows there way around auto trannies!

Sorry I have nothing to contribute to this thread

Eneurb · 01-26-2005, 10:01 PM

There has to be a crack between fluid passages or something... the dude at the tranny shops exact words were, "there has to be a shower of fluid inside that case"... I have seen bigger trannies like E4ODs actually twist the case... but that was on a diesel dually... not a 4.0 ohv ranger...

Eneurb · 01-29-2005, 10:32 AM

Finally fixed... got a used case from a wrecker and transfered all the parts into it... for all the trans. overhauls that pay a killing, I guess it's not too bad when one goes wrong.

Glacier991 · 01-29-2005, 11:46 AM

I'll be damned. I definitely learned something on this one. Thanks!!

Eneurb · 01-29-2005, 04:18 PM

You and me both!

nascar_intimid · 01-29-2005, 04:35 PM

Now that's what I'm talking about...this sight put to great use!!!! :p

01-18-2005, 09:04 PM	#1
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	5R55E question for our trans. wizards... Not to get into too much detail (yet), but do you think a leaking intermidiate servo could cause a soft 3-4 shift??

01-23-2005, 09:25 AM	#5
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Whenever I reassemble an automatic transmission I put the air test plate on and test all my clutch packs, servos and pistons as I reassemble... in effort to prevent the problem that I am faced with right now... but nothing is fool proof. __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy. Last edited by Eneurb; 01-23-2005 at 05:57 PM.

01-26-2005, 06:21 PM	#6
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Here's my final answer. After removing and over-hauling the trans. 3 times, air plate testing every step of the way, new center support and 3 valve bodies, I have decided that I must have an internal case leak. It's unfortunate when such a simple job goes to junk like this. Oh well. __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy.

01-26-2005, 07:35 PM	#8
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Both line and epc pressures are in spec in all ranges and change with rpm and gear applications just as they should. There is a flare-up shifting from 3rd to 4th at all times after warm. I ended up going to let the owner of a local trans. shop test drive the truck for me this afternoon. He explained to me that he had the EXACT same symptom with a 1999 5r55e... after numerous teardowns he opted to change the case and all was fine. I have been as thorough as you can possibly be, and after 3 valve bodies I have eliminated them. Unfortunately there is no real way to verify a problem in the case. __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy.

01-26-2005, 08:38 PM	#10
IAmTodd Explorer Addict Johnstown, PA 1994 Explorer XLT Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,765 Vehicle Specs	I think somebody knows there way around auto trannies! Sorry I have nothing to contribute to this thread __________________ 1994 Explorer XLT \| M5R1 swap \| 2" Lift \| 32" ProComp Mud Terrains 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero \| 2.8 Full pressure turbo \| 6MT \| 280whp/325wtq

01-20-2005, 07:45 PM	#2
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	Could. But then it could be a myriad of other things too.... accumulator hydraulic circuits, sticky shift valve... partially plugged solenoid are just some other things that come to mind..I'd defer to Brain on this one...he's more knowledgeable about the 5R Valve body, which is where I suspect it is.

01-22-2005, 06:55 AM	#3
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	I've answered my own question. Let me get into detail a little. Truck came into me with a flare up shifting from 3-4. I dropped the valve body to intall a pressure plate and found an air leak in the direct clutch. Disassembled the trans. to find a cracked direct clutch piston. Yay!! Put it back together (with a new valve body also), reinstalled and it drove great... for the first 4 shifts and the exact concern redeveloped. It has been suggested to me that if the intermidate band is hanging up it may cause the problem, but I feel that I would have concerns in more areas than just the 3-4 shift. I have since removed and disassembled the trans. again, and there appear to be hairline cracks in the center support, and the fluid does go through it on its way to the direct clutch... So I'll find out on Monday when my new center support comes in.

01-22-2005, 09:51 AM	#4
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	You bring up an interesting point never really discussed around here.. the use of an air presssure plate to test circuits in an automatic transmission... Few people even know they exist, let alone their use, or use them...might be worth a thread. Good job btw!

01-26-2005, 06:52 PM	#7
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	Have you put a pressure gauge on the various taps? AN internal case leak, while possible seems like the Zebra... When the problem may be a horse. You are clearly HIGHLY knowledgeable. What are your current symptoms?

01-26-2005, 08:24 PM	#9
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	Fascinating. I am learning all the time. Any ideas to WHAT in the case is the culprit?

01-26-2005, 10:01 PM	#11
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	There has to be a crack between fluid passages or something... the dude at the tranny shops exact words were, "there has to be a shower of fluid inside that case"... I have seen bigger trannies like E4ODs actually twist the case... but that was on a diesel dually... not a 4.0 ohv ranger... __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy.

01-29-2005, 10:32 AM	#12
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Finally fixed... got a used case from a wrecker and transfered all the parts into it... for all the trans. overhauls that pay a killing, I guess it's not too bad when one goes wrong. __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy.

01-29-2005, 11:46 AM	#13
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,830 Vehicle Specs	I'll be damned. I definitely learned something on this one. Thanks!!

01-29-2005, 04:18 PM	#14
Eneurb Wannabe Elite Explorer Ajax, Ontario, Canada 1998 Limited Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 707 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	You and me both! __________________ I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy.

01-29-2005, 04:35 PM	#15
nascar_intimid Wannabe Elite Explorer st.catharines,ontario '94 eddie ..'02 limited Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 478 Vehicle Specs	Now that's what I'm talking about...this sight put to great use!!!! :p __________________ Looking back, Knowing that you gave it your all....Win or loose, you finish a champion. Dale Earnhardt (nascar_intimidator7x)