How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

[CDW6212R]

Yes, the bracket holding the solenoids is possibly too fragile in early designs. My 99 bracket looked just like the new part. Is that article newer than the last couple of years?

 

[Dakota_Don]

Tore the VB out, the seperator gasket just fell apart.. the rev piston and seal look good..
found a re-man tested and up dated valve-body with a oem new epc..Trans-go makes a kit, but by the time i buy the gaskets, sep plate it will be better to get a reman.. approx $299 from trans-star..

 

[CDW6212R]

The VB kits are about $40 depending on which company you go with. The shift solenoids may be $100 total, an the EPC I think can be had for under $100. I gave $110 for mine from Ford, and I swapped it out after about 20k miles, for the aftermarket beta test unit. If money is a big issue, I'll sell my used Ford EPC for $30 shipped.

 

[Dakota_Don]

Hello, thanks for the ofer, i found a VB reman with some upgrades.. for $79, and a 5 yr warrenty with sol.. plus i can add 79 more and get all upgrads and a lifetime warrenty.. i think this is maybe the route i will go.. $299 is a bit much..

 

[CDW6212R]

There you go, shopping around is wise. Buy plenty of Mercon V, about 12 quarts or so. Night,

 

[Dakota_Don]

thanks

 

[Dakota_Don]

well got my VB from wholesale Trans parts, i am not impressed.. i was told it would have a bonded sep gasket, more like a used one.. it looks goood but.. a used one ..Grrrr hopefully it was tested.. and he upgrades were installed

 

[Dakota_Don]

http://www.800700tran.com/

 

[ranger7ltr]

I bought one of those from them too...Big mistake...

I then bought a proper vb from Central Valve Bodies... www.centralvalvebodies.com

All the Sonnax mods...Bonded seperator plate gaskets...Shipped in a protective box ready to remove and install and drive away...

I now have a spare if I need one... The vb from 800700trans.com...It came full of dirty fluid and frankly looked used...Seemed to have mods done to it but they could not tell me what had been done...

 

[Dakota_Don]

well after the VB instal with the sol, the problems went away.. thanks for posting this info.. it was very helpfull

Thanks

Don

 

[Dakota_Don]

even the chyrsler VB was a success...

 

[Fredness]

well got my VB from wholesale Trans parts, i am not impressed.. i was told it would have a bonded sep gasket, more like a used one.. it looks goood but.. a used one ..Grrrr hopefully it was tested.. and he upgrades were installed

Used bonded seperator plate? Bad news: Link

 

[Dakota_Don]

Used bonded seperator plate? Bad news: Link

it didnt come with a bonded gasket.. they had two VB's to choose from, the updated one with the bonded gasket which i thought was the one i was getting, but they sent the OEM VB which was tested with a few upgrades, it was cheaper and i was charged accordingly.. the VB works great.. took care of my issues..

 

[2000StreetRod]

EPC solenoid replacement tool?

Is a special tool needed in order to replace the EPC solenoid? I assume that there is some type of rubber or neopreme seal around the diameter of the EPC solenoid. If so, an installation tool is probably required to avoid damaging the seal when inserting the EPC solenoid into its bore.

Are all of the solenoids the same diameter as the EPC solenoid allowing the use of only one installation tool?

 

[Dakota_Don]

Is a special tool needed in order to replace the EPC solenoid? I assume that there is some type of rubber or neopreme seal around the diameter of the EPC solenoid. If so, an installation tool is probably required to avoid damaging the seal when inserting the EPC solenoid into its bore.

NO tool is needed, just check the bores for burrs, scratches ect.. lube the new seals and install..

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, check for any wear of the bores and be gentle with them. Put them in straight with a little twisting motion. The bores and electrical connectors are the delicate things to watch.

 

[nolongerjips]

Filter fell off

Ok so after my tranny finally quit doing anything about 2 months ago - I just got the trans pan off of it (almost ready to pull it out).

When I lowered the pan - the filter and the long thin bolt that holds the filter were laying in the tray! Has anyone else ever seen this? I suppose it just vibrated out. I would imagine it couldnt suck up any fluid anymore.

It went from me having to put into 2nd gear and then upshifting it into drive after about 15 mph or so, to one day no gears at all. Could the no gears at all be from the filter just falling off? I was suprised to see that happen!

 

[BrooklynBay]

The filter contains the lower sump that draws the fluid into the transmission, so it could cause a no drive situation if it falls out. Did you make the holding bolt finger tight, and not use a 1/4" drive wrench?

 

[nolongerjips]

I'm assuming this is the first time the pan has been cracked (Im at 150,000 miles now - I know - my bad) I'm guessing the factory was the last to install the bolt. I have another tranny to go in, so since I'm this far into the job the whole thing is coming out anyway.

Thats just weird that the thing fell off

 

[BrooklynBay]

If the bolt fell out, and the pan was never removed, then I would suspect that other valve body bolts are loose, and the gasket is shot. Your transmission might be fine other wise. Don't assume that the transmission is shot.