01 Explorer Sport 4x4 tranny problems

[cmacclel]

My truck has around 110k miles on it and 10k of that was towing a boat. Last week I noticed a Delay when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear as the RPM's went up around 1k rpm before it shifted.

My truck rarely has Engine braking so I know I needed the valve body gasket upgrade.

Any idea's?

Thanks Mac

 

[BrooklynBay]

When was the last time the bands were adjusted, and the filter, and fluid were changed? Have you ever dropped the VB?

 

[cmacclel]

The transmission is untouched. I'm debating on wether to do the Ford TSB or install one of the Kits out there. What kit is complete that addresses all the TSB problems?


Mac

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is no one kit that does it all. You could get the Ford kit, and the Superior kit. The Transgo kit is similar to the Ford kit from what I've read in other threads.

 

[Glacier991]

I recommend that if you want to install a shift kit you get the FORD mods (blowoff valve and revised separator plate,) and install the Superior kit. I also recommend on any trannie with over 100,000 miles you consider replacing the EPC as well. This is all pretty well covered in the VB rebuild diary.

 

[wee]

Is there a better replacement tranny i can use in my 01 Sport 4x4? Stronger, not as fragile.

 

[Glacier991]

There is no drop in replacement.

 

[wee]

Son of a *****! What would i have to do to get something worth a **** in there?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could do a swap with another transmission with special adapters. Look at the sticky from Gremlinstien. He sells adapters. The next problem would be that your vehicle's CEL, and OD lights would come on, since the PCM wouldn't detect the stock solenoids, and controls. You could swap in a 700R4 (GM), 4R70W, or C6. A manual would be another option, but requires a lot of work. I think your best bet is to just fix the 5R55E that you presently have in there.

 

[cmacclel]

I didn't feel like getting under the truck to perform tranny work I guess I'm getting old or just lazy! I paid $400 for Amaco to install the ford kit and my 2nd to 3rd flare is gone and I actually have engine braking! I haven't had engine braking since the truck was new.......I'm quite pissed off about this as I'm $400 cheaper when I could have had this done under warranty!


Mac

 

[BrooklynBay]

At least you didn't have to spend a couple thousand on a rebuilt unit that shops try to talk you into buying.

 

[cmacclel]

They told me around $2300-$2500 for a rebuild. They would'nt garuntee the job. Thanks to all the info on the forum I saved about $2k.


Mac

 

[chewy4x4]

What are these "kits" everyone is talking about?

 

[wee]

Shift Kits. I just got one, going to have it put in this weekend. I got the Transgo kit. It is not a performance kit, it is an improvement over stock, shortens the time between shifts thus extending tranny life.

Here is what is is from one of the write ups.

"A Shift kit is an aftermarket engineering attempt to fix deficiencies in the original design. In many cases the actual manufacturer will pick up on some of these fixes and incorporate their own in later versions of the design. Overall, the 5R55E is a transmission with weaknesses in the Valve Body that shift kits address nicely. I recommend that if you ever have a need to remove the transmission valve body you have a shift kit installed. I think it will improve the life of your transmission."

 

[Glacier991]

In the 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary in the stickies section at the top of the first forum page, there is extensive discussion of the kits and their contents, with pictures.

 

[BrooklynBay]

When I called Sonnax with some questions a few months ago, I asked one of their technicians what he thought about shift kits. He was against them altogether! I was very surprised. He said that if you use the correct parts that the manufacturer recommended, then you don't need them. I asked him about the Sonnax "improvements" that they sell which are supposed to be better than the OEM parts. He said that their parts are better than the OEM's but don't change any shifting patterns. He also felt that if the valve bodies were designed to shift a certain way, these kits might disrupt their normal pattern, and possibly conflict with other things. I have never heard of anything wrong happening from a shift kit (except when somebody forgets to install some parts, posts their symptoms, then opens it up to see what they did wrong). It wasn't a fault from the shift kit in these cases.

 

[Glacier991]

I suspect the tech was thinking of the extreme shift kits.... that really change things, or kits taken to the extreme. I have rebuilt a lot of VB's now, and never go to the extreme. Even a FORD tech who helped design them modifies them (Jerry W, in the case of the 4R70W). I respectfully disagree with the Sonnax tech. His boss made a living fixing shortcomings in the factory VB's. AND.... like I said before, in many cases the aftermarket fixes show up in later factory builds. I am blank right now, but as I think of some I will post them here.

I believe in the aftermarket "correction" (eg. "shift") kits. Both Superior and Transgo are quality companies with excellent techs. In the case of the 5R55E, I think the single best thing you can do it to follow the 5R55E Rebuild Diary and do frequent fluid changes to prolong your tranny's life. This is from a guy who has an A4LD with 222K on it.... not that it means anything except that careful care and feeding and knowing the limitations can add to your transmission's life. And that you are lucky.

 

[Bigg_billy]

5r55e

Plus the technicians was probably figuring, the "average guy" was going to cause more problems for himself taking things apart, than leaving it alone. It's unfortunate that there is no record of the number of successful VB rebuilders using the Sticky, as opposed to guys that were unsuccessful, as opposed to guys that spent the extra $2,000 at the tranie shop. But as I always say, I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

Bill

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's good to see you back again Bill! That sounds like a good idea for a poll. How many people have followed the diaries, and repaired their own transmission, or rebuilt the valve body? Your stairway to a diary was also helpful to a lot of people.