02 Explorer hard/hesitation shift

[cjprice125]

I have a 2002 Eddie Bauer Explorer 4.6L and it has a hard/hesitating shift between third and fourth gears. If I'm really light on the throttle it will slam into fourth. If accelerating and it goes to shift from third to fourth it hesitates (roughly 2 second shift). It doesn't slip, just hesitates (no RPM change). I'm the second owner. Transmission has had fluid changed 3 times in its life and it has 235k miles on it. Any ideas?

 

[2000StreetRod]

direct clutch?

The direct clutch is applied when shifting from 3rd to 4th. With 235K miles on the transmission I suspect that the friction material on the direct clutch friction plates is mostly worn off. The direct clutch is also applied when going from Park or Neutral to Reverse. Is that engagement also delayed?

 

[cjprice125]

That is only delayed if I don't give it a few minutes in the morning to warm up. Trans fluid was serviced last at 190k. I was contemplating doing a drain and fill - not a flush - to see if that would help it at all.