5R55E VB Update, No Go, Flare Still There

[xFatcatx]

99, Auto Sport, 4WD, 72000 miles.Got everything back together this morning and 2-3 flare is still there. The truck acts the same as before no better no worse. I took it for a 20min. drive when i was first done, flare was immediatly there, after about 10min. of driving flare went away and shifts were great. I got all excited, had breakfast, took it for another drive and flare was there on every shift for about 45min. OD light was also flashing during first drive but not the second. I did unplug the battery and turn my headlights on for an hour pryor to starting, battery left unplugged during entire process. The only thing that seemed odd to me was when i plugged the EPC Sylanoid back in it seemed a little loose, i could slighty turn it, bracket was on correctly and EPC was sturdy but is this normal?

I put in a new EPC, new plate with bonded gaskets, new sylaniod bracket, and the Ford Mod only, no shift kit. Im almost 100% positive i did everything correctly, i printed out and followed "stairway to the diary", and followed all other torque specs and diary instructions. Original code that i had was P0733. As in previous post tranny shop told me that code ment 3rd gear slippage and that it needed a soft part rebuild for $1800. I had another person tell me something about a digital range sensor but i know nothing about that. Maybe doing the superior kit would help, but i hate to do it all again for nothing. Any help appreciated.

 

[Glacier991]

The next step is "probably" to replace the intermediate servo. This is the part that applies the intermediate band to give you a 2-3 shift and hold lockup.

Question? Did you replace your fluid? The 5R55 is VERY sensitive to its fluid needs... you *COULD* try a bottle of lubegard green or platinum to add friction qualities to the fluid... but it might or might not help.

As for the VB rebuild.... what we are chasing here is why your intermediate band is not applying firmly enough to effectuate the shift and then hold the drum. Fluid properties play a role, but so does hydraulic pressure applied to the servo. Pressure applied is a function of the VB AND the servo seals that hold that pressure in the servo bore. If you know the EPC is ok (as you do) then the next inquiry is either VB or servo. (Assuming the fluid is ok and new). Which one might make the difference, if either? Tough call.

Servo replacement is UNFUN. Parts are cheap, labor is expensive.

VBshift kit is not inexpensive, but it's not as much unfun a job.

I know, not much help, eh ?

 

[xFatcatx]

I replaced with all new fluid, by the time i was done with the truck on ramps for a day and a half it took 8 quarts to refill. I saw the Lubegaurd at Napa the other day i might throw some in, if only i would have put in a drain plug........

My sister just took the truck for trip (about 45miles) out of town. I called her to see how it was and she said it hasent shifted hard once and is running great. Granted she might be wrong, but it was intermintate with me earlier also. Correct me if i am wrong but this should be an automatic fix right? Could it linger for a few days and then correct? Also there is always a possibility of brand new parts not working, do you think the EPC could be bad and how would i go about testing it? Lastly do you know of a thread detailing replaceing the intermidiate servo so i could see what kind of job it is? Thank You

 

[Glacier991]

Sometimes things in Auto trannies need a little time to adjust themselves in, more so now that we have a computer adjusting pressures to compensate.

I'd just add the lubegard and not worry terribly about a resultant overfill for now.

The A4LD rebuild diary details the process... it is the same for the 5R seeries... but YOURS in IN CAR.

 

[xFatcatx]

"but YOURS in IN CAR." ?

 

[Glacier991]

you can replace those servos with the trannie "In the car". It is MUCh harder than doing it on the bench which is where I do it.

 

[Bent Bolt]

I suspect that you had a sticky valve. Been there,done that. When you get the truck back and find everything is shifting good, go get the lubegard and call it fixed.

 

[whoathere]

BB, are you saying that this could have been his problem from the get go? Or that maybe this was just "another" problem?

FatCat, how did your gasket and sep plate look? Was it blown anywhere? And did you take pics of it?

 

[xFatcatx]

My gasket was blown very badly. Worse than the pictures in the rebuild diary. With just the pan off i could see about a 1/2" of gasket sticking out of the VB by the servo. It was blown by the servo, by the TCC, and very badly right above the solenoid that is next to the EPC solenoid. I took pics but still just a wannabe, i will upload when i subscribe which will be soon.

 

[Bent Bolt]

BB, are you saying that this could have been his problem from the get go? Or that maybe this was just "another" problem?

No. When the gasket blows, the pieces can get everywhere--including the shift solenoids and valves. I have done the upgrades to transmissions,making sure all gasket peices are removed, and still have the flare. After driving it fairly hard, the valve(s) unstick and the trans works fine after that.

 

[xFatcatx]

My tranny has been getting better i think. My sister had no flares on her way back into town and since then it has been intermintate with the flares and much softer than before. I think i will wait it out a while and see what happens before i put anymore money or work into it.