How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

[CDW6212R]

The firmer down shifting is an intended characteristic of Transgo kits. It sounds like yours is unusually hard though. It is very good for it to be quick/short/firm, that helps longevity.

How are the other shifts though, are they also very firm, or softer? My trans seems like it is down on pressures, mine could be firmer and quicker in shifting.

Hopefully Chris will comment on what might be done to soften the down shifting. James, our resident PCM tuner, he can affect many changes with tuning by a flasher. He may know of an adjustment to help, but you don't want to hurt something else in the process.

Also, how did you adjust the bands, just like the Transgo instructions? I have really liked their methods and affects in the past for my vehicles. I'm going back into mine presently to change the shift solenoids and update the servos and seals. Regards,

 

[netevo]

CDW6212R,
Upshifting is fast and firm, feels normal. Downshifting is fast and feels quite a bit harder. I did not adjust the bands. Thier instructions where not very thurough, and I was not familiar with doing this. I should of included this info in my first post...... Could this be my downshift problem?

if so, can you adjust the bands with the transmission in the vehicle? Does the valve body have to be removed? Are there any special tools needed? I also did not use the large washes/spacers that was included with the kit. I believe that this required the transmisson out of the truck.

Thank you for your help

 

[CDW6212R]

I did my Transgo kit tow years ago and 23k miles ago. The bands are adjusted from the outside. The adjustment bolts are on the side of the trans, and their instructions need you to remove the rear driveshaft to feel the trans output shaft to do it. It's not hard, but I'd have to read them again.

I doubt that the band adjustment would affect the down shifting, hopefully Glacier will chime in soon.

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is one thing you could do, but I haven't seen this recommended anywhere, so anybody which objects to this should not hesitate to chime in. There are some parts called high radius relief valves, and the high ratio boost valve which are used with the 4.0L engine along with a check ball configuration for the 4.0L engine. The 3.0L engine uses low radius relief valves, and a low ratio boost valve with a different check ball configuration. The torque converer is also different with a different stall speed. If you would use these parts instead, then your overall apply pressure would be roughly 10 PSI lower, and the shift pattern will not be as harsh. The shift kit should still maintain the firm shift feel without the sudden apply feeling which you are experiencing.

 

[Glacier991]

Harsh downshifts can be due to a number of things. Accumulators are designed to absorb some of the pressure changes, and soften shifts, up and down. VB spools that adjust for thse things have springs that also compensate. I'd start with the VB and spools and springs.... look at what the spool does and see of you changed a spring. If so, you might try changing it back. From my experience Transgo would not give you a spring that would ersult in a harsh down shift.... did you assemble it properly... especially a factor whee you have opposing springs - easy to confuse the location.

 

[CDW6212R]

Thanks Chris, I don't know anything about individual VB functions to point him to a specific place. I figured that there are a short few that could affect that. I'll delete this later. Regards,

 

[netevo]

After reviewing the instructions, yes, I am confidant i used the right springs in the right locations. The one section in particular provided different springs depending on engine size, I used the 4 cylinder spring since mine has the 2.3L. If this problem persists, maybe I will go with a completely rebuilt valve body. What do you feel is the chances of this fixing the problem?
Thank you again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

This is one of the links in # 10 in my list of useful threads which should provide additional information on this problem: Dead Link Removed

 

[netevo]

Ok, maybe i should of put more miles on it before posting. I have about 300 miles on it since the work was done on it is getting better! The upshifts are nice and firm still, and the downshift isn't as bad as the initial test drive. I think i am just going to go with it. Its not very often that i have a vehicle fix its own problems. Thank you all!

 

[35Remmy]

OK guys, went to Ford today and ordered the new separator plate ($34.61) and the Ford valve ($30.10)...I'm ordering the new VB w/ Sonnex upgrades in about a week (I've been spending $$$ lately like I make 6 figures). I can't believe $220 shipped with new everything. Great price!

My questions... Do I need the updated Ford valve, or SHOULD I use it with the new VB? I KNOW I need the new plate, but was unsure about the valve. I don't know what the Sonnex upgrades are on the new VB.

I also don't know whether or not to order the Superior kit, either. Can you help me out? Thanks!!!

 

[Glacier991]

If you use the new separator plate you SHOULD use the FORD blowoff valve. Unless it is already in place (it will be obvious if it is) put your new one IN. Failure to do that COULD result in damage. Even if they used some other form of EPC overpressure blowoff protection, there is no harm in putting the FORD mod in place.

 

[35Remmy]

Glacier...thanks for the reply!

I was concerned about using two of the same pressure mods, so I'm glad you know something about this.

I'm actually ordering the new VB tomorrow from Central Valve Bodies...I guess I should ask Donny if the Superior kit will do anything beneficial in addition to the already installed Sonnax modifications?

 

[35Remmy]

Glacier...picked up the separator plate and Ford valve today; however, the valve only came with a RETAINER and not the SPRING you have pictured next to the Ford valve in your pic. Is this correct? It's part 3L5Z-7M203-JA for a 99 Ranger, 4.0. This is what it calls for !

Oh, 1 thing I noticed about my tranny...with OD off, going about 35...step on the gas trying to get a nice shift. Instead of that nice shift, the tranny bogs, so I press the gas pedal MORE (as I hear my poor 4.0 pinging, a whole other problem recently) until it DOES shift but the RPM's go all the way to 4 thousand after that shift. No slipping, just NOT right. WTF? Any ideas?

 

[35Remmy]

By the way, why is the "double lip seal" for low/reverse so special? Was or is this a problem area? Is this a FORD part I can get?

My tranny does go into reverse slowly...prolly a second later than it should. I'm guessing this seal has something to do with that?

Dang, you'd think Ford would have gotten this tranny right after the A4LD debacle...I have an 88 Ranger with the A4LD...it's a rebuild with, oh, 4,000 miles on it (shift kit, other VB mods, can't remember what exactly). Then my 2.9L blew...with almost 200,000 miles on her. GREAT truck. Hey, it's a FORD!!!

I was told there are shops that won't TOUCH A4LD's. Is there any truth to this? Mine shifted and slipped and BANGED like HELL for almost 70,000 miles. It just kept going like that. How, I have no idea.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The viton D ring kit makes a tighter fit: https://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=230-00023256K

 

[gary1954]

gary1954

Hello Everyone
This is a great site.Glad I joined.

 

[35Remmy]

I keep wondering...if the 5R55E was the "updated" version of the dreaded A4LD, could Ford not have done any better?! Two words that I've read in magazine reviews about the 5R transmission use the words "flakey" and "confused". I agree. ESPECIALLY confused. Whenever you're in OD you don't want to be and every time I'm in 3rd I want 2nd. Don't Ford engineers test these things extensively before offering them to the public? I mean DUH!

You would think that if something was to be improved, that would equate numerically with less problems. It seems as though the 5R55E is another wonderful transmission brought to us by Ford Motor Company. Automatic transmissions have been around for what, 70 years, and they STILL can't get it right?!!! What happened at Ford after the C4/C6?

I mean, what is the frigging problem...can Ford not put a reliable transmission in the Explorers/Rangers?!

Yes, I still am a FORD fanatic. Best truck in the whole dang universe.

 

[IZwack]

The 4R and 5R are derivatives from the A4.

I'm on my 2nd 5R and I think its a pretty good transmission. My previous lasted about 120k w/o any problems -- which is pretty good considering that's almost like driving 19 times around the planet. I thought the gear selections were proper and if you think yo should be in 2nd when in 3rd, then I think thats a sensor/electronic issue, or the engine is not in tip-top shape.

 

[CDW6212R]

Almost all automatics shift like they were made for the least feel, plus upshifting as soon as possible.

The best result from VB kits is the far better shift timing qualities. The A4LD wasn't up to heavy truck use, and the 5R55E is just barely enough for stock power levels.

The 5R55E does have wonderful close ratio gearing. The 5R55W's are wide ratio units, plus a little stronger.

Chris, what gearing does the 5R55S have, the wide or close ratios? Regards,

 

[35Remmy]

Donny at Central Valve Bodies sent me this information before I ordered his VB on Thursday...


"Sonnax updates:

Large ratio boost valve and sleeve, elevated pressure regulator spring, 7pcs o-ringed end plug kit, and TCC regulator sleeve.

Other updates are installed as needed. Please use the separator plate that comes with the valve body, it has been modified for better lock-up and shift operation.

Explorer forum cost = $229.99" plus $17 UPS ground shipping...includes a return, postage paid sticker for your old VB to send back...he requires your core.

He also told me that the FORD TSB basically corrects nothing and not to use it with his VB...OR the Superior OR Transgo shift kits as his VB accomplishes everything they accomplish.

SUPER nice guy who sounds like he knows his stuff. I think this is a GREAT price and former members who have purchased his VB's have had good luck with them.