5r55E VB from Wholesale Transmission Parts?

[CDW6212R]

Well I just happened to see this post and I did business with Wholesale Transmission Parts about a month and a half ago. I purchased a remanufactered transmission. It looked fine until I got it in my explorer and it did nothing. I had problems contacting the guy that sold me the transmission(they wouldn't pick up the phone, said he was at a docters appointment, out to eat and even one time hung the phone up on me after I had been on hold for 13 minutes) and after a week I got a hold of him and he told me that he would arrange a pickup and that I would get a full refund. Never happened so after that I let the credit card company deal with it and wholesale transmission parts have not disputed it yet. I called back about a week later and was told that the guy that I purchased it from was not part of there company anymore and they would try to contact him and I was told to go ahead and sell the one I have to cover the cost of getting my old one rebuilt, I asked for documentation telling me that I could do this and to this day I have not gotten anything(that was over a week and a half ago).

So to make a long story short I would be cautious doing business with them I am lucky that my credit card company is disputing it or I would of been out $950 but I still had to cover the cost of fluid and the time to put this thing in, take it back out, get my old one rebuilt at a local shop and reinstall with fresh fluid.

I'm sorry to hear of that problem, and thank you for posting about it.

The idea of testing the electronics sounds reassuring, but it is not. Most of the electrical components will test as good, right until the second before they fail.

The EPC of the 5R is evidently in a very high stress environment compared to other EPC solenoids of other transmissions. The EPC of a 4R70W is very reliable for as long as the trans or vehicle. But that same EPC is known to develop wear externally(not internally like the 5R EPC), which causes leakage around it, plus can wear the trans case. It is only a $40 part as well, much more reasonable.

Thus, it is wise to replace the EPC of a 5R more often due to internal issues(failures), say before 100k, or 75k, and 50k wouldn't be unwise. They are unfortunately over $100 a pop. The 4R70W EPC is best to replace at about 60k, just for maintenance to avoid too much wear on the outside of the solenoid. But mainly to avoid damage to the case which is very bad.

Buying a used VB is one thing, assuming that it's rebuilt is another, and having being tested doesn't tell you much. Almost all problems of the 5R55E are inside the valve body, not the electronic parts at all. If you read the VB diary here, you will see that the big changes are in the VB, not the solenoids.

That company appears to be simply selling used parts, and the VB's need upgrades, not testing. Regards,

 

[inh]

That company appears to be simply selling used parts, and the VB's need upgrades, not testing. Regards,

Agreed, after my valve body issues I've decided to stay away from that company next time.

After I get some more money (in a year, when I get back from Iraq) I'm going to order a valve body from central valve bodies. They do some sonnax upgrades that are pretty nice, and seem to have a better reputation.

I'll keep the VB I bought from 800700tran as a core.

 

[CDW6212R]

I had them bookmarked from the week before. I was looking for build ideas and modifications for the 4R70W, and ran across them for parts ideas. They would be good for getting some things that you could use spares of. I liked the forward drums they had, the late 2005+ pumps, and the 2005 valve bodies(if they sell by application). I could use a car VB from a 2005+ Mustang, or 2002-2004 as a 2nd choice. The 4R stuff is very reliable with no bugs, but each application has different shifting characteristics. A car VB is the best place to start for high performance.

 

[djh97xlt]

inh--Was anything other than the VB worth using? EPC or any solenoid? I'm still waiting for mine.

Well it just came in the mail. Looks like the one you got. My sep. plate looks damaged. I ordered a "new" wiring harness. It has built up crap on the main plug, it's dirty and came in the box with the VB. It was not wrapped separate in the box. That was a waste of $.

It is the gasket not the plate that is worthless.

 

[inh]

Im not going to use anything I ordered from them. Well, actually, I used the separator plate (had bonded gaskets) because I needed one and that was the only one I had that would work.

 

[CDW6212R]

It really does sound like they are selling used parts, from unknown(mileage, burned up) transmissions.

 

[newmab]

Guys the rebuilt VBs from these guys are awesome! http://www.centralvalvebodies.com/

Comes with all the Sonnax upgrades. Shift better than factory.
Running on my second year with this puppy.

If you haven't already purchased one from someone else I truly recommend these guys.



There is my 2 cents!!

 

[inh]

Yea, I plan on ordering a central valve body when I can afford it =]

 

[CDW6212R]

That's the link needed, they do rebuild them, and with some upgrades. If I got one from them, I would make sure that they added all of the Sonnax parts applicable. That is if they would do it for little more cost. I've learned of more things available along the way, reading of others and their 5R's lately.

 

[rlong]

I had just ordered one of those "rebuilt" VBs from Wholesale earlier today, and found this thread a few minutes later.

I called Central Valve Bodies and talked to them - they include all Sonnax upgrades and are selling truly rebuilt units with new solenoids, seals, etc. $250 for my 4R55E. More than I wanted to spend, but far more likely to be a reliable unit.

Ordered one from them and cancelled my order from Wholesale. CVB unit will be here Thursday. Guess I have new project for this weekend...

 

[CDW6212R]

I'm ordering a couple of VB's for my 4R70W trans. I'll post here to let others know if its just stock 5R VB's that all need rebuilding(and they talked people into believing they were rebuilt), or they have more junk to sell.

The 4R transmission does not have issues that need rebuilding or updates like the 5R trans. I need a car valve body to modify for my truck, high power etc. If they are selling low mileage take off parts as they advertise, then these should be good parts at very good prices. We'll see,