How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

[inh]

I just recieved my 5r55 valve body from 800700trans.com and it came with the Ford upgrade already installed (bonus!) I also ordered a Superior kit, and the Sonnax -EZ kit, which included their boost valve and an elevated pressure spring for the valve. It says for firmer shifts use the spring with OEM valve, but for firm engagements and up and down shifting use the boost valve and spring from Sonnax.

I'm wondering if using both the spring and valve would make it shift too hard, which would get quite annoying.. Or if those that installed just the boost valve think that even slightly shifts would be a positive thing.

 

[CDW6212R]

I didn't know that Sonnax had that for the 5R55E, I just discovered it for the 4R and passed because I have a higher pressure EPC. I would probably try that Sonnax PR valve and spring. Follow the instructions, the 4R part mentions not using one without the other.

Final tuning with a PCM flasher would fine tune some symptoms of OEM and aftermarket parts.

 

[inh]

The -EZ kit is pretty comprehensive and seems to accomplish both what the superior kit and ford modification does. A nice part is that it also gives instructions on what not to use if the ford blowoff valve is in place =]

I was reading back a few pages, and someone mentions that central valve bodies sells their rebuilt units with both the elevated pressure spring and the increased ratio boost valve, so I'd imagine it doesn't give undesirable shift characteristics.

 

[CDW6212R]

I didn't learn much about the 5R55E, it seems that the only things to do are correction related. Either you are swapping in the best OEM parts, or the same for certain VB parts.

Sonnax makes very good stuff, they don't make much that anyone should be afraid to use. Superior was very new just ten years ago, they have come a long way and have done similar things to Sonnax. Just learn what parts are available and exactly what they are supposed to do. I think the pressure related items will help a lot beyond the VB correction things that have been around for years. Keep us updated if you find a few useful parts not mentioned before. I'll be going back in mine some day to change accumulators, adjust bands, and change fluid again. Regards,

 

[Vikane]

Thanks for sharing that!

And for those new to automatics, the band servos are a metal piece with a rubber part molded on. When you replace the servo, you replace the entire thing, there is not some kind of seal that goes on it. They are denominated by a 2 letter code. AB, BB, CB etc. The last version for the 5R55E overdrive servo was a ZC. The servo and cap have to have the same designation (eg. AB and AB, ZC and ZC, etc) - the tranny servo bores will accept any of them - meaning an easy upgrade is to go to a ZC servo in your OD position (front most) and an AB in the Intermediate band position (middle).

In the Explorer, the OD was an AB, so if you already had the Explorer you have an AB cap... you will need a ZC servo, a ZC cap and a new AB servo to do this upgrade.
Doing servos at the same time as a VB rebuild is smart.

I am not sure I understood this, the servos in my 4R55E has both AB, which one of these could I buy ? http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=4r55e+servo&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Other places I could order these ?

 

[BrooklynBay]

You will have to buy a ZC servo & cap for the overdrive. Replace the AB servo for the intermediate, but keep the AB cap.

 

[dohlbrak]

just ran into the flare and trans issues on my 5r55e and franticly began searvhing for parts and procedures. this site is amazing, thanks for the research and answers. just ordered all the parts nesecary let you know the results

 

[jeffhuber]

I am new to this site. Just love all the detailed info. I am looking for a reputable place to buy a complete reman valve body with upgrades. Possibly sonnax upgrades. I have a 5r55e.
Thanks
Jeff

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Check WWW.800700Tran.Com & WWW.CentralValveBodies.Com. Central gives members of this site a discount.

 

[carlover]

Ok just to be clear i can order the valve body from central valve bodies with all the good stuff inside of it and replaced already?? ready to bolt in pretty much?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Yes, you could order it like this. There are different options.

 

[jeffhuber]

Thanks I'll check them out. Any recommendations on how I should have them set the valve body up? If the specs are already in the many pages of this forum I apologize in advance.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Some are set up with various kits for towing, racing, OEM (stock) or with Sonnax upgrades such as a boost valve or end plugs with O rings.

 

[usfongs]

Thank you for this diary

I just wanted to say thank you to the folks that contributed to this diary.

I have a 1999 XL and did the Ford sep plate, Blow off valve and sonnax boost valve with the Superior kit parts. I also replaced the EPC solenoid with one I found on the net for about $25. Replaced the filter filled it up with fluid and test drove it. It was worse than before! I had both delayed reverse and drive and the 2-3 gear shift was way delayed! This was of course all followed by the OD light blinking. I thought all was lost and there might be problems with the internal parts. But I thought I would check all of the possible issues listed in this thread and decided to tear it back apart. I reinspected the valve body, Valve body keepers, sep plate, solenoids and brackets, I decided to put the stock EPC back even though they both tested good. Re-torqued everything in 3 passes. Also replaced the low servo gasket which I had not before and reinspected the low reverse servo double lipped o-ring and discovered that one lip was very slightly crushed luckily I had ordered a spare set with the LRS gasket. Replaced all o-rings reassembled filled her up and now?

It Drives like a dream! It is Incredibly smooth I think it might be better than when I first bought it and I've owned it for 10 years.

So thanks again to all that provided info in this diary. Not only did it make the project easy it was kinda fun!

Whether it was technical or where to get parts this thread, forum and its member are top notch!

 

[joey0514]

thank you all, for info

Well its been 35000 miles since I (we) rebuild my tranny and boy it working great, thanks again guys for all your comments. and for you folks that are in the early stages on rebuilding don't give up (remember it was a human who created this, you are no different)

 

[WPExplorer]

I also wish to thank everyone who has given any input to this thread. Somewhere WAY back in the diary ( I think it was Glacier) who installed a drain plug in the drain pan. All I have been able to find are the nut style ones. He has mentioned a soldered in style. I was wondering if anyone knows where to pick some of these up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I mentioned soldering a nut into the pan, and have a thread on how to do this. Check # 75 in my list of useful threads for more information: http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206353

 

[joey0514]

plug input

Not to worry, you will find them at Oreilly Part Store. There 9.99 - 12.99

 

[olddude55]

I probably would have taken the bridge without this thread!

'03 Ranger, 2.3 Duratech, and the 5R44E-gad slushbox, complete with a flare no one needs.
Just ordered the upgraded VB from 800700tran with a new OE EPC solenoid thrown in for good measure.
I come from a long line of casual wrench heads, but none of us have ever gone into an automatic tranny. Thanks to all on this thread for giving me the confidence.
My only gripe? Wish I would have read this before I bought the truck; I would have passed it by and kept looking for a Ranger with manual shift.

 

[kwinters2]

Central Valve Bodies body

I just received in a CVB body from Donny and noticed that it doesnt appear to have the six hole blow off for the EPC?? Can anyone else confirm this for me? I have this for the 2005 Explorer Sport Trac. I have an email into Donny but wont get a reply back till tomorrow and its going to bug the crap out of me.

Cheers
Kinley