5r55w diy options

[DOPPELGANG4]

Hello all,
been having some issues with the explorer lately... On cold starts, it hesitates about 2 minutes before engaging reverse or first. BTW, many years ago it was rebuilt my mr transmission. so now i took it to aamco and they say it needs a new torque converter and front pump since i have metallic grating sounds on startup.
now my question is do i need a new front pump or just replace the pump valve. in the past i have rebuilt a chevy turbohydromatic 350 turbotrans. but i understand that the 5r55 trans front pump is difficult to remove. and another question is in regard to a stock daily driver should i be concerned about case wear other than the servo bores. ive got feeler gauges and the calipers. i dont foresee any major hickups in this rebuild but i would like to get some professional insight before jumping in and preordering parts i may not need. thanks in advance for your time and advice in this predicament.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you check the fluid to see if there are any metallic fragments? How many miles are on it?

 

[domct203]

Definitely check the fluid for metals, as well as proper level. Is the fluid nice and red, or is it dark, brown, or burnt smelling?

As long as nothing has violently failed, servo bores are your main concern for case wear.

 

[DOPPELGANG4]

the explorer has about 205k miles, i drove it home in rushhour traffic making sure it was well in operating temperature and checked the fluid level. if anything, there may be a bit too much fluid but it was definitely not low. the color wasnt excessively dark or burnt smelling, maybe the color of a strong tea?...as for the metal and failure, once warmed up, she usually shifts and drives fine other than the ocasional 2-3 flare or shutter under mild acceleration like it cant quite make it to the next gear ( imagine the pressure is trying to get high enough but it isnt enough to press the servo). I am under the impression that once it is out, i may as well open it up and such. But im more concerned about what aamco said about the pump seeing how thats a fairly expensive piece if i have to replace it instead of just replacing the relief valve. Are you thinking i can get away with not cracking it open? That would be great.

 

[DOPPELGANG4]

So for now im planning to get another torque converter, rebuild kit and have the servo bores sleeved. Local guy quoted about 100 to do the sleeves. Any advice on torque converters?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you have a local torque converter rebuilding shop? If not, then check WWW.Transtar1.Com to see how much they want. You'll have to mail your old one in for a core so there are two shipping charges. This is why a local rebuilder might be better.