How to: - 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary | Page 37 | Ford Explorer Forums

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How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

Prefix for threads which are instructional.
Thanks for the update. Please take pictures of anything as you go, that is invaluable to others if you post them in a thread. Make you own how to thread for others to learn from. Thanks to you in advance.
 



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Parts for Valve Body

I decided that replacing my valve body with a remanufactured one from centralvalvebodies.com would be ideal since I am not sure if any of the other solenoids need to be replaced (my explorer has 156,x.. miles).

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport V6 4.0L OHV 2WD. I am having issues finding a few parts for this replacement/rebuild.

I believe I need:

1) the Valve body (from Central Valve Bodies) - comes with sonnax upgrades like separator plate, upper & lower gaskets, large ratio boost valve, 7 piece end plug kit with o-rings, TCC regulator sleeve and regulated pressure regulator spring, the pressure relief TSB from FORD, all 4 shift solenoids are flushed and have new o-rings.

2) Pan gasket (can't find)

3) ATF filter and gasket (can't find)

4) Reverse servo gasket (http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com...everse_servo_cover_gasket_p/230-000023128.htm)

5) Reverse Servo D-ring kit with no gaskets (http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com...isse_reverse_servo_D_ring_p/230-00023256k.htm)

6) Mercon-V ATF (8 quarts)

Is there anything else I am missing for this install? I want to make sure I have ordered everything before I plan to work on this next week.

Does anyone have part numbers or websites that sell the pan gasket and ATF filter and gasket? I did find this but not sure if this is what I need, but it comes with pan gasket, ATF filter and o-rings (nor sure if it has filter gasket).

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/m...uct_Code=A56011H&Category_Code=FordFilterKits

Let me know guys! This diary is awesome. After I fix this issue I will post my results and become a member!
 












I ordered my valvebody yesterday. I had the 2-3 flair for 3 days and now no flair just soft shifts for 3 days. Called autozone to see about a filter and gasket and they stock them for our trucks. Like 13-14 dollars. Picking that up tonight and getting my valvebody in the mail Tuesday. Fingers crossed this solves and is good for a long time in my trac. I love this truck but really don't want to dump 2000 into the trans at the moment.
 






I ordered my valvebody yesterday. I had the 2-3 flair for 3 days and now no flair just soft shifts for 3 days. Called autozone to see about a filter and gasket and they stock them for our trucks. Like 13-14 dollars. Picking that up tonight and getting my valvebody in the mail Tuesday. Fingers crossed this solves and is good for a long time in my trac. I love this truck but really don't want to dump 2000 into the trans at the moment.

Where are you getting your valve body?
 






Central valvebody.
 






I got CVB to get me the Pan, servo and filter as well
 






Valve body rebuild

I am getting my ATF pan gasket for $5.69 and motorcraft ATF filter for $19 at oreilly autoparts. Ordered other reverse servo gasket and d-ring for $15 on transmissionpartsusa.com. Ordered my valve body from centralvalvebodies.com for around $250 all inclusive (Thats with explorer forum discount). Mercon V ATF should be about $40 for 8 quarts. So all together I'm going to spend about $330 for the entire job.

Hopefully this cures the weird feeling shifts and flares that I feel between 1st and 2nd, as well as 2nd and 3rd. If not then I'll ride this car until it goes out as we just bought it for $3000 with 153900k. Now 2000 miles later, I've put in $500 for spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, serpentine belt, ignition coil, air filter, and a heater control valve. Now this repair I hope will get me set for a few months of repair free time haha.

I will be starting this repair next week, and I plan to try and have it done by saturday at the latest. I will post results when I have finished. Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this diary. You guys are great!

01sportrax let me know how your repair goes. Central Valve bodies is selling them fast this week :)
 






Yeah I have to get mine done next week. My family and I are going to spend springbreak in the G.A mountains. And then I got to head out for Mississippi for work. They start their springbreak on the 15.
 






Reverse Servo

Hi i have just got a VB from CVB and pulled the reverse servo out to replace the d ring, mine had a O ring and the replacement has a groove.
What i have noticed is that it is tight (which posts all say it will be) but the piston seems to be not flush with the casing, i can not remember but i am sure it was flush all round when i took it out ??
Is there a issue ?

reverse-servo.JPG
 






I installed the Trans GO kit in Nov. 2008 and am now up to 176,000 on my 97 explorer Sport and the trans still works like new.
 






Hi i have just got a VB from CVB and pulled the reverse servo out to repcae the d ring, mine had a O ring and the replacement has a groove.
What i have noticed is that it is tight (which posts all say it will be) but the piston seems to be not flush with the casing, i can not remmbere but i am sure it was flush all round hen i took it out ??
Is there a issue ?...
I'm fairly sure that it's fine, I think it does go in at an angle. If you spin the piston and it stays the same all around, then it's okay.
 






Update I installed the valvebody. And all is right with the world now. Firm shifts and no flare at all. Was not that hard at all just take your time. My gasket was blown in 3 spots all the common ones.
 






Manual value linkage

Now something that is talked about when putting back the VB but really needs a bit more reinforcing.
Ensure you not only refit the Link bar but Make sure when putting in the value body that you line up the Manual valve so that the rod on the sprocket sits in the correct spot.. i didn't and had no reverse see image
l
vbmanual.gif


Thanks to Donny @ CVB
 






Finally corrected the error i made with Manual Value as above and i now have reverse ,1st and all gears.
Took X for a drive and seemed good, nice shifts was running well i was pleased with myself.
Later on i took the X for another spin and suddenly the Blinking OD light returned , plus it seemed as there was no OD or 5th gear
How ever on further testing OD and 5th Gear are ok just the OD light Blinking.???

I switched the OD button on and off a few times as i was driving and the Flashing OD went away ( Freeway driving) but when i exited the freeway it reappeared (Heat issue ?) it does seem rather hot and smelly but not sure is this is the remaining Oil from the oil dump (removing VB) that i did not wash away

Later OD Light is off again, then picked up teenagers from beach and OD light comes on again (Vehicle under load)?

Well Update I am back where i started the VB upgrade/replacement seems not to be the issue, need to get codes read as all my oil is now Black and Burnt and X slipping in all gears ....

Any suggestions for the next course of action
 


















Brooklyn Bay

O great guru of the Ford transmission and valve bodies....

I am just about to order my valve body parts from transmissionpartsusa and I was wondering if the Sonnax 37947-EZ basline rebuild kit is the same as the Ford VB kit: 3L5Z-7M203-JA? I notice it has all of the components of the OEM kit:

1 Instruction Data Sheet4R44E/55E, 5R44E/55E
1 Increased Ratio Boost Assembly
1 Elevated PR Spring
1 Forward Engagement Control Valve with Teflon Seal
1 Forward Engagement O-Ringed End Plug with Spring
6 Valve Bore O-Ringed End Plugs
1 Lube Orifice Disc
4 Torlon Check balls
2 “L” Retaining Pins1 High-Domed EPC Relief TeeLube/TCC Modification Parts & Info.
Extra O-Rings

I guess the bonus of buying this kit over the OEM would be that the Sonnax Boost Valve and sleeve kit are included in this kit.

http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/transmission/parts/1498

My question is, are there any items missing from this kit in comparison to the OEM Ford VB kit? I am asking because I am wondering if I would be better off getting the OEM kit and ordering the Sonnax boost valve separately.
 






Sonnax does not make total VB kits for the purpose of correcting inherent defects, VB correction kits.

Ford has different correction kits for each model of 5R55E, basically TSB part numbers. So check on what that Ford part number is, it could be the same kind of minor kit like the Sonnax part you refer to. Those are support parts, not the critical actual correction kits needed in all 5R55E's.

TransGo makes a correction kit for the 5R55E, as does Superior. The TransGo kit applies to all 5R55E's, every year model according to their literature.

Pick one actual VB correction kit to install. Also look at the available Sonnax support items, like the o-ring kits, and certain upgraded internal valves etc. Sonnax doesn't do VB shift or correction kits, they concentrate on individual components and circuits.

Sonnax not too long ago discovered a major cause of the 5R55E VB gaskets blowing out. The actual trans case moves/shifts/vibrates as internal pressures change. The gaskets seal different case channels from each other. If those channels move, eventually the gaskets wear out there. That is what has been happening, and Sonnax disclosed that, and their solution.

Has someone yet posted links and/or pictures to the Sonnax article about that solution? The answer is to install objects(set screws) up into those susceptible case channels, to hold them in place. Find the noted set screw sizes, and tap them up into the case where described. That will keep the trans case from shifting, and keep the gaskets from blowing out there.
 



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Sonnax does not make total VB kits for the purpose of correcting inherent defects, VB correction kits.

Ford has different correction kits for each model of 5R55E, basically TSB part numbers. So check on what that Ford part number is, it could be the same kind of minor kit like the Sonnax part you refer to. Those are support parts, not the critical actual correction kits needed in all 5R55E's.

TransGo makes a correction kit for the 5R55E, as does Superior. The TransGo kit applies to all 5R55E's, every year model according to their literature.

Pick one actual VB correction kit to install. Also look at the available Sonnax support items, like the o-ring kits, and certain upgraded internal valves etc. Sonnax doesn't do VB shift or correction kits, they concentrate on individual components and circuits.

Sonnax not too long ago discovered a major cause of the 5R55E VB gaskets blowing out. The actual trans case moves/shifts/vibrates as internal pressures change. The gaskets seal different case channels from each other. If those channels move, eventually the gaskets wear out there. That is what has been happening, and Sonnax disclosed that, and their solution.

Has someone yet posted links and/or pictures to the Sonnax article about that solution? The answer is to install objects(set screws) up into those susceptible case channels, to hold them in place. Find the noted set screw sizes, and tap them up into the case where described. That will keep the trans case from shifting, and keep the gaskets from blowing out there.

Hey Don, thanks for your prompt reply!

I know that the kit in question will not correct any inherent defects, I am going to install the Transgo shift kit in conjunction with this kit. I was just wondering if I can use this kit: http://www.sonnax.com/product-lines/transmission/parts/1498
As an alternative to the Ford VB KIT: 3L5Z-7M203-JA
 






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