Solved 2010 Explorer transmission issue.

[jtrotman]

Hello everyone! haven't posted in a while, haven't needed to really until now.
I know from reading stuff over the internet that there were issues with transmissions in the 2006 and earlier models. My issue is, recently I've noticed some shifting problems starting to arise.
The shifts seem more of a clunk or a drop into gear rather than a smooth shift. I notice it more when overdrive is activated in city driving, I would get that clunk/bump when coming to a stop. That same clunk/bump is noticed when it's in O/D, like its shifting in and out of O/D.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Jim T.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the fluid level in the transmission, and the adjustment of the bands. It might be the beginning of servo bore wear if it has more than 60K miles.

 

[Flag Gibby]

What transmission do you have and how many miles on it since the last fluid service?

 

[jtrotman]

I have the 5R55S Transmission. It has 97k on it no service yet, thought Ford's recommended service for this tranny was 150k

 

[jtrotman]

Hello BrooklynBay, I was told from a transmission shop that changing fluid wouldn't make any difference in shifting performance, because it was all electronically controlled. How true is this?

 

[jtrotman]

Tranny Issues

Just wondering if anyone out there can help. Was told from a Transmission shop that any shifting issues would not be resolved by doing an oil and filter change, even though most people recommend doing this. They told me that all shifting is electronically controlled. Just don't want to be wasting my money.
any help Thanks!
Jim T

 

[steve6534]

Just wondering if anyone out there can help. Was told from a Transmission shop that any shifting issues would not be resolved by doing an oil and filter change, even though most people recommend doing this. They told me that all shifting is electronically controlled. Just don't want to be wasting my money.
any help Thanks!
Jim T

It can definitely help. The controls might all be electronic but the actual shifting is still done hydraulically. It's the reason that there's still transmission fluid in there.

 

[jtrotman]

Ya kind of thought so, but with all this new computerized stuff, just wanted to make sure. I believe like you said all shift timing is controlled by computer but the actual shift is hydraulic. Thanks so much
Jim T.

 

[Blackexplorer06]

Changing fluid can help some. But these transmissions are weak. Rebuilds before 100,000 miles are not uncommon. I spent many hours trying to fix mine back in the Spring. It needed a complete rebuild. I wish I had it done from the time it started having shifting issues.

 

[jtrotman]

Sorry to hear about your rebuild, question what year was your Explorer? Hope it wasn't that expensive. Was it related to the servos?

 

[Blackexplorer06]

Sorry to hear about your rebuild, question what year was your Explorer? Hope it wasn't that expensive. Was it related to the servos?

2006. The servos were worn. I drove it that way for a while. Tried the servo fix/repair etc etc. Then the planetary went. Once I realized that a rebuild at 106,000 miles is not at all unusual I started looking for a rebuilder. He did the servo bore repair,full rebuild and torque converter etc. Just under $2000.
We have put just over 10,000 miles on it since the rebuild and it will have a for sale sign on it October 1.

 

[Flag Gibby]

Jtrotman - Definitely start with a fluid and filter change, it may prolong the inevitable with this transmission in terms of having to fix the OD servo for a while (you can pretty much guarantee a full rebuild by 150k miles). Some of us here have done regular transmission services despite what Ford calls for just to prolong the life of the transmission and prevent the servo bores from getting out of tolerance too fast and it seems to help particularly, in my case, if the 5S transmission sees regular towing.

 

[Lukas2009]

You could also get your Solenoid Block checked.
The transmission has a port for easily measuring the transmission pressure.
I had also problems and doing that showed that there was problem with the Solenoid Block.
We replaced it and since then everything is fine again.

 

[jtrotman]

Thanks for all the wonder tips I will go to tranny shop a little more informed.
Thanks Jim T.

 

[jtrotman]

Took it to a shop and had trans flushed and filled with BG Synthetic Transmission fluid, and added a Ford anti Shudder additive. What a difference, all my previous problems are now gone. Do the flush and fill, if your having this problem before you go to Transmission shop where they will till you, "you need a tranny rebuild"

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update. Your thread is now marked solved.