2006 Mountaineer tranny / rear issues

[Sundancer300]

Hi, I my mountaineer was leaking some red fluid in the driveway.. I brought it to the dealer and they said I need a new tranny @ $3700... ouch...
Truck bumped into lower gear when slowing for stop light...
Also really bad rear end thud when going over bumps or around turns. Sounds like the spare tire is loose and banging underside of truck. ( Its tight)
Any ideas...Engine and rest of vehicle are great.. 112,000 miles...

Thanks

 

[Explorer_PL]

v6 or v8 ?

 

[1992fordgreen]

Could be loose suspension in the back that could cause the thumping.

The reason Explorer_PL asked whether it is a V6 or V8 is that the V8 trannys are known to be rock solid, it is the V6 trannys that go out often. My V6 tranny failed @ 197k though...

 

[Explorer_PL]

Yep

v6 uses 5r55, v8 uses 6r60/80

6r80 is used in F150's and they are pretty good. Mine has 152k miles and still good.

When I went to a tranny shop because I had some shaking/jerking thinking it was TQ (it was a sparkplugs/coils issue), the owner said he barely sees the 6 speeds, but the 5 speeds are not that good.

 

[Sundancer300]

Its a V8

 

[Sundancer300]

Thanks.. It is a V8 2006 Mountaineer... I had issues with the coils and replaced them all last month. The tranny has an oil leak as well ... and the noise in the rear actually feels like the axle is loose when I hit a bump or make a turn. When I roll through a stop and start up again the tranny slips. It looks like two issues here so any input would be appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
Ed

 

[Flag Gibby]

The 06-08 6 speed transmissions have a TSB out to fix the hard downshift issues. If you are leaking transmission fluid it is usually never a good thing unless it is after a lot of hard towing and in that case it could just be leaking out of the breather on it due to fluid expansion. I have had mine leak that way after a long trip of hard towing before I changed to a better Mobil 1 full synthetic ATF. I have also seen the rear main seal on transmissions start to leak due to excessive play/vibrations in the driveline.
If the tranny is slipping it is most likely the torque converter, but if the fluid level is low enough in a transmission it can cause lockup issues too. It really sounds to me like you need to take it to a transmission specialty shop and those guys will look it over and be straight up with you in terms of exactly what needs to be done and not just say it needs a transmission.
Not sure that the 6 speed is any more reliable than the 5 speed since this generation uses the w/s version of it in which several of the earlier model issues have been adressed. Personally, Ford has yet to manufacture a good, stout automatic transmission and they all have their individual unique issues. However, I have not had the experience to comment on the latest 6 speed automatic versions in which I believe that they completely redesigned from previous models.

 

[iowndavidson]

Mine was bumping too when coming to a stop especially when it went to first gear. Took it to ford dealership and they said I need a whole new transmission for $7k. Took it to my friend's garage and they did the TSB update at my request and replaced the fluid in the transmission. Runs perfect now. Total cost was $200

 

[Sundancer300]

thanks guys... Taking it to a recomended transmission shop on Tuesday. Hope I have similar luck as Iownadavidson....

Either of you have issues with the trans axel clunking?

 

[Flag Gibby]

No, but could be a bad half shaft or wheel bearing. The transmission shop will be able to pinpoint the problem.

 

[iowndavidson]

I also noticed today that with the new update the governor for my explorer doesn't work anymore. I don't know if it had something to do with the update or what my my truck will now do over 99mph without killing engine. Legally of course!!!