2003 Explorer Limited 4.6L Shifting Issues

[scottrappley]

I have a 2003 explorer limited with the 4.6L. It has 139,000 miles on it. I purchased it at about 134,000. I went through it and replaced all the fluids and did all the normal maintenance. I also had the ford dealer do a flush. I wish I knew the history of the vehicle but I do not. Anyway yesterday I noticed shifting at around 45-50 mph it seems to like jerk some. The lower gears shifting and then the higher gears seem fine. I only feel this jerking at around that speed. No codes or lights or anything. I just bought a 21' foot RV and plan to be towing it this summer. Does anyone know if this is something I should be concerned with right now or even better know what the problem is? Ay help,would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[scottrappley]

I have been reading a lot here and am wondering if I order the new servo bores with the O-rings and have them installed if that will fix my problem. Any ideas???

 

[DAT05EXPLODER]

people have had good results getting rid of the flared shifting by using those.

 

[scottrappley]

So that is really what is going on, what they are calling a "flare" issue? I was wondering what that really meant. I did find out another piece of information today but not sure if it really means anything. I live in Michigan so obviously it is cold here right now. When I drove it today it shifted fine until the fluid got all warmed up then I started seeing the shifting issue. I do not drive this vehicle everyday so normally it just sits in my garage.

Guess I will have to contact some local shops and see if they can install these servo bores if I decide to purchase them. Any more input from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[scottrappley]

Well luckily my step brother is a master mechanic and owns his own shop although he lives a little ways away so I do not see him much. I did take the explorer to him and just yesterday he replaced the servos. Still waiting to hear from him if this fixed the problem. I know he has yet to get the fluid hot enough to see if there is still an issue. He only drove it a little ways and said it was fine. I will reply when I have more results.

 

[scottrappley]

Well looks like I wasted money on parts and labor regarding the servo's. They did not fix the problem. How frigging frustrating. He is still looking at what is causing the shifting issue between 3rd and 4th gear. He calls it as aggressive. No codes or flashing lights so I suppose that is somewhat good but the problem is still there.

 

[scottrappley]

Got the ex back. Servos changed, fluid changed, pan dropped and filter changed. Nothing noticed anywhere by mechanic. No codes either. It still is shifting hard between gears. This did not do it until recently. Guess my only options are to just drive it and see what happens. Would like to have it fixed though.

 

[scottrappley]

Forgot to ask. I asked the mechanic about adjusting the bands. He said there wasn't anything to adjust. I am confused. Isn't there supposed to be something adjusted for the bands when replacing the servos? Maybe my explorer doesn't have any adjustment of the bands?? Confused???