2002 xls explorer transmission issues

[Matt0]

Dear all,

I bought this 2002 explorer xls. It wouldn’t shift into overdrive but other than that had no real issues to I figured it was a solenoid problem and easily fixable.

When I pulled the pan for the transmission there was metal from the overdrive band in the bottom, and the overdrive servo was super loose/wouldn’t tighten correctly. I decided then that I needed to tear the transmission out and rebuilt it.

I am now arm deep in the transmission and finding a couple of new issues that I can’t find answers for and so I hope someone will be able to help me. The transmission I have is a 5r55w. Along with the overdrive band being shot the overdrive planetary gear assembly looks like it got hot in the past and the gears are super wiggly(I think the brass has been worn out). I have a 24 tooth Sun gear and 72 tooth ring gear. All the replacement parts I can find have a 38 tooth sub gear and 94 tooth ring gear. Would there be any issues with installing that overdrive planetary gear Assembly?

does anyone know why there are multiple options for this? I can’t seem to find anyone talking about the differences.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

 

[wollimann]

does anyone know why there are multiple options for this?

Not shure, maybe there was a change over the years

Sun Gear (24 Tooth) 1999-2002​

5R55N, 5R55S, 5R55W, A4LD, 5R44E Automatic Transmission Overdrive Sun Gear (24 Tooth) (F7RZ-7D063-AA) | Used with 25 Teeth Planet

Welcome to Cobra Transmission, based in Sebring, Florida! We are Mercedes Benz and BMW Transfer Case Specialists, and your best source for transmission parts, both automatic and manual, transfer case parts, transmission tools and differential parts. Get the transmission parts you need for any...

cobratransmission.com

Sun Gear (38 Tooth) 2002 up​

5R55N, 5R55S, 5R55W Automatic Transmission Overdrive Sun Gear (38 Tooth) (2L2Z-7D063-AA) | Used with 28 Teeth Planet | 2002-Up Applications

Welcome to Cobra Transmission, based in Sebring, Florida! We are Mercedes Benz and BMW Transfer Case Specialists, and your best source for transmission parts, both automatic and manual, transfer case parts, transmission tools and differential parts. Get the transmission parts you need for any...

cobratransmission.com

 

[Searcher1]

You're probably looking at the different gearsets between the W and S versions, with the S having a slightly narrower spread between gear ratios. The thread linked below may help out.

Has someone swapped a 5r55w to a 5r55s?

Hello, I just bought a 2002 Explorer 4.0 sohc built 2/02 and trans was bad and I know it came with a 5r55w. I pulled the trans to build it and it is a 5r55s in it now, My guess and they just got one from the junk yard and throwed in it. My question with out knowing how it worked before this one...

www.explorerforum.com

 

[sandiegokidd]

Dear all,
I bought this 2002 explorer xls. It wouldn’t shift into overdrive but other than that had no real issues to I figured it was a solenoid problem and easily fixable.
When I pulled the pan for the transmission there was metal from the overdrive band in the bottom, and the overdrive servo was super loose/wouldn’t tighten correctly. I decided then that I needed to tear the transmission out and rebuilt it.
I am now arm deep in the transmission and finding a couple of new issues that I can’t find answers for and so I hope someone will be able to help me. The transmission I have is a 5r55w. Along with the overdrive band being shot the overdrive planetary gear assembly looks like it got hot in the past and the gears are super wiggly(I think the brass has been worn out). I have a 24 tooth Sun gear and 72 tooth ring gear. All the replacement parts I can find have a 38 tooth sub gear and 94 tooth ring gear. Would there be any issues with installing that overdrive planetary gear Assembly?
does anyone know why there are multiple options for this? I can’t seem to find anyone talking about the differences.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,