How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

[35Remmy]

OK, so where is this reverse seal(s)...they're ON the valve body, right?

I just opened my package from central valve bodies and I can't wait to install her.

I see the big circle (SORRY, I have limited knowledge in trannies, except for the fact that I've never NOT had transmission problems, ALWAYS) where the reverse solenoid is located on the gasket...so I was wondering where this update kit, if I decide to update it, goes.

FYI, Donny DOES in fact use the FORD 1 piece separator plate/bonded gaskets...he said not to use the "plain" 'ol one I got from Ford (the "updated" separator plate from Ford) because his is even better after his mods.

 

[35Remmy]

I noticed something else, too...theres a valve on the side of the VB that appears IDENTICAL to the FORD blowoff upgrade, which, according to Don, really corrects nothing that is really wrong with this VB. (He says that when he gets these VB's in "they're really a mess")

I have the new Ford valve and put it up next to the VB (although I can only see the TOP of the valve as the VB is already assembled but I CANNOT see a difference. It's like he's already using the Ford upgrade, unless one of the Sonnax upgrades is virtually identical.

Any thoughts?

 

[wood1]

OK, so where is this reverse seal(s)...they're ON the valve body, right?

I just opened my package from central valve bodies and I can't wait to install her.

I see the big circle (SORRY, I have limited knowledge in trannies, except for the fact that I've never NOT had transmission problems, ALWAYS) where the reverse solenoid is located on the gasket...so I was wondering where this update kit, if I decide to update it, goes.

FYI, Donny DOES in fact use the FORD 1 piece separator plate/bonded gaskets...he said not to use the "plain" 'ol one I got from Ford (the "updated" separator plate from Ford) because his is even better after his mods.

The reverse servo is underneath that round plate at the corner of the VB. It's not part of the VB but up in the body of the trans. When you remove the 4 bolts holding the cover, the servo piston will come out and you will see the large O-rings on the piston. These should be replaced with the D-rings you hopefully bought.

Take your time, follow the instructions and you'll be fine.

Good luck.

 

[Glacier991]

Sonnax stuff does not look like a FORD mod blowoff last I checked. It's easy to pop that out and see if it is in fact the FORD mod. But like Wood said, just install it and torque it carefully and you will probably be good to go.

Nice to know he is sleeving the TCC bore. I think that is ESSENTIAL. His price is very very good. As for the overpressure issue, there were a number of ways to skin that cat. FORD only came up with one. Others exist and I am sure Donny has engineered another approach.

 

[35Remmy]

Glacier...hard to explain without a picture...the side of the VB where the reverse servo part of the gasket is (if you're holding the VB, the reverse servo hole is on your left, there are 4 valves, or holes on that side...theres also a little dimple between the 3rd and 4th "hole"...the 2nd "hole" is where the valve that looks IDENTICAL to the FORD mod is located. It's the SAME size, and has 6 holes on the outside, 1 on the inside, JUST as the Ford mod is...ONLY difference I can see is there is NO dimple on it.

There are only 3 hex bolts holding the gasket on....are they torqued, or just snugged? Maybe I'll open her up and take a look inside.

 

[Glacier991]

Probably snugged... you will need to retorque them anyway as a good move when you get ready to install. If they ARE torqued, it ain't much. Be careful when you remove it so nothing is sticking to the gasket (like pucks or balls - though balls almost NEVER stick).

 

[tedandtrina]

89 automatic overdrive issues

i just picked up and 89 Bronco II with and automatic overdrive. when i put it into gear it acts like my old 73 maverick did in high school and takes a while to engage. sometimes it will disengage for no reason. i bought a new filter and gasket and there was some crud in the bottom of the pan. as soon as i was done, it went right into gear and drove around the block. i got back and let my son take a ride and it started all over again. i could really use some help on this.

Ted

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Your A4LD transmission does not have an electronic valve body like the 5R55E. It has a 3-4 shift solenoid, and a TCC solenoid. The 5R55E has computer controlled pressure along with the gear shifts. It's possbile that you didn't get all of the old fluid out when you dropped the pan. You might have to rebuild the valve body if it has high mileage. Check the A4LD valve body rebuild diary sticky thread for more information.

 

[CDW6212R]

Ditto, the issue will surely be in the shifting controls, the VB or solenoids/accumulators.

 

[tedandtrina]

you guys rock! is it safe to drop the valve body while the tranny is in the truck? is it then safer to pull the lines from the radiator and apply a little air to push all the fluid out. if not, what is the preferred method. i was hoping i wouldn't have to pull the tranny. i have a book to rebuild ford trannys, but it doesn't cover the a4ld which i am assuming is what i have.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Follow the add a quart/drain a quart method in the other sticky thread by AlDive for more information: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77507

 

[CDW6212R]

Find the common manual which covers the A4LD, they run about $14 each and are excellent. Almost any trans parts dealer will have what you need. Check elsewhere here for threads about what people did with their A4LD.

 

[xrowen]

1--2 Shift Flare

All I am reading here is a 2--3 shift flare. I seem to have a problem with a 1--2 shift flare. Now what I don't understand is that if I shift it manually off the column, it makes the shift just fine. Everything else is just fine. I must say after 180,000 plus miles, this is my first repair issue. Not bad if I must say!!

 

[softnfat98]

Help!!!!!

I dont know if this is in the right place to ask this since this is a sticky, but I see a lot of questions here so... Im doing the VB rebuild and I break one of the first rules. I turned it up and lost the puck. Can someone send me in the proper direction to get another. If I have to I will buy the TransGo kit. Today I got the Ford parts guy to look it up and he has the same breakdown for the VB as in the ATSC manual. He wasnt any help as I figured, I had to give him all the part numbers for the TSB's!!! Forum is great and I am joining!!!! Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Is this the part you are referring to? http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/Ford_A4LD_valve_body_puck_p/230-000023299.htm

 

[softnfat98]

That would be the one. You guys are phenominal. Hope I spelled that correct!

 

[Glacier991]

A 1-2 shift flare is a delayed engagement of the OD band.

At 180K seriously consider replacing the entire VB with one from Central valve Bodies.

 

[vandydavid]

Solenoids and VB

Hey Guys, I have a technical question about the Solenoids. I hope it is ok I post in this AWESOME thread. My O/D Light started blinking and then it would stay in the same gear. I would turn teh car off and everything would be fine for about 15 minutes then the process would repea itself. I tested the error codes and it said that three of the shift solenoids were in the stuck off position. I took it in to the the shop and they said that the electrical checked out ok and I had them drop the pan and test the solenoids. They told me that 2 of the three solenoids were pretty weak, but he was unsure if this will fix my problem. He said that it could be inside the VB. I do not have a lot of money to spend on this but I want to fix it correctly. Do you think it is ok to replace the "Weak" solenoids and everything will be ok are should I go in and have them look at the VB. FYI, I had the transmission rebuilt about 2 years ago.

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome David, I suggest that you have the VB worked on, as well as change those solenoids. All of the VB's need the VB kits or Ford updates. That is basically never done with any rebuild, shops just change as little as possible. The shift solenoids are cheap, do those in any case where one is suspected. The EPC is high dollar, over $110, change that at near 100k miles. If you cannot find out if those were done, you might do well to replace them all. Regards,

 

[saling4]

I am new here so pardon my interruption, but I have a 5R55E question. I changed my filter and fluid today (brown) and now as soon as I put it in gear it dies. Torque Converter Lockout? Is that one of the solenoids that I can see when the pan is off? Or do I have to pull the tranny? I have had this truck for a few months and have been changing all the fluids since it didn't look like they were in good condition. However, Everything seemed to be fine until I changed the filter and fluid.

Thanks for any help.