5R55E - Rebuilt - still no Drive and Reverse

[glfredrick]

I rebuilt my 5R55E (that is the 5 speed automatic behind the 4.0L in a 97 Ex) and found major carnage inside. I replaced all the clutches and bands - all the seals and o-rings, did a new plate in the valve body along with new gaskets, also a new EPC solenoid, and a Trans-Go shift kit to stop some of the 2-3 flare issues and over pressurizing of the EPC issues common to this trans.

Problem is that it still has no drive or reverse. It does have a good 1st and 2nd, and the tires will move just a bit when the shift is in D, but not enough to move the vehicle. There is no reverse whatsoever - even when the truck is up on stands...

Anyone have an idea of what to attack next? I am running out of money and time and the truck is still sitting. HELP!!!

 

[Alec]

Is the torque converter seated properly?

 

[glfredrick]

In order to answer that, I have to ask another question - not tongue in cheek...

Is it possible for the torque to be not seated properly and still in there, and causing the 1 and 2 positions to drive the vehicle?

If it is possible, then it could be that it is not seated properly - I did have issues with getting it in there. What on earth was Ford thinking when they eliminated the inspection plate?

 

[Alec]

Honestly I don't know if 1 and 2 would still be ok. But I do know most TCs require a 3 step engagement, did yours engage 3 times on the reinstall?

 

[glfredrick]

I cannot honestly say that I know that all three engagements are in place, but it would seem a bit odd to have everything bolt together and that it would drive the wheels if it were not engaged. If this is truly the case, I will have to pull the unit to re-do it. Any pointers in getting it right?

One other question - do you know if reversing the forward sprag could do this? I had some questions as to which way it went into the hub. It seemed to only fit one way, but what if that is the incorrect way? There are little guides built into the sides of the white nylon cage for the sprag that have a ledge on one end and a tapered point at the other. (Looks sort of like a T shape in between the sprag rollers) I installed this with the bottom of the T inward. Is this the correct way or did I do it backwards?

 

[lonestar]

Hey Gl, I read about your tranny, what a kick in the pants! Oh well, kive and learn.

Are you workin on it over at your friends shop off Beulah Church. I ride by there about everyday, I was thinking about stopping by the other day to see if you were still workin on your tranny.

 

[glfredrick]

Lonestar,
Thanks for asking... No, I am not working at the shop you mentioned. They would have kicked me out long ago... :>) I have the truck at another friends place out near Taylorsville in a nice heated garage. He has been really helpful - from pulling us back from Berea, KY on his trailer - no questions asked - to letting me use his Dodge and some other help as well. Sort of an answer to prayer/miracle situation!

Now, if I could just get the silly thing running!

BTW, feel free to stop by the shop sometime, my son works there. Just tell him how you know of him - might get you a discount - who knows. Ask for Jeremy, he works the counter.

 

[Howard]

A silly question but the shift alignment is ok so that when in drive it really is in drive?

 

[glfredrick]

Thanks for asking.

I don't think that the linkage shifted at all. It is bolted to the trans via two bolts, and simply slides a clip over the trans pin. Internally, everything is as it was. I did play around a bit with the external sensor that tells the computer what is happening, but to no avail. The detents seem to line up the same as before, so no, I don't think that it is a linkage issue.

 

[glfredrick]

Well, I bit the bullet and purchased a reman tranny for the EX. I did some pricing of parts and could have easily stuck another $400 into the one I have and still not have any gurantee that it would work right so I popped for another one, complete and under warranty.

I will pull as many of the new parts (ECP solenoid- bands, clutches, steels, roller sprag, etc.) and post them on eBay as soon as I get the new one in and running. So if anyone needs some of these parts, watch for the auction. I will list them as "FORD 5R55E five speed automatic transmission parts" The parts, are of course, oil soaked, but never run on the highway! The truck has never made it off the jack stands since the rebuild.

 

[glfredrick]

Well, the replacement transmission arrived this week. Now, I get the opportunity to take the old one out (again) and replace it with the new one...

Is anyone interested in my documenting this procedure in pictures? I can't post here yet (haven't paid Rick for the privelege - but intend to after Christmas - he's been good to us!) but perhaps someone would host the pics.

Let me know before I start the process.

 

[boominXplorer]

yeah if you could take some pics of the install and removal. If you would like to email them LowXploHer@aol.com