5R55W Problems, looking for advice

[BlakestaExpo]

I'm Confident I've read every thread on this website pertaining to the 5R55W along with the PDFs posted and all the rebuild/shift/VB/solenoid threads.

So here's my deal, any insight, opinions, or thoughts would be great.

101,000 miles,

-around 100,500 i started having a serious 2-3 shift flare, not a big surprise at all. I plan on replacing the Solenoid and valve body to fix that.

-Now I'm noticing that in second gear (and only second gear) I'm having some slipping, ill be in gear, go to accelerate a bit and then RPM'S will go up, but not so much the speed. However if i drop the shifter into 2, I can PUNCH IT with no problem.
--Planning on tightening the intermediate band to fix this?

Today I changed out the fluid and filter for the first time since I've owned the truck, and it was NASTY, but lucky not a single bit of Metal shred in the pan and the fluid didn't smell burnt at all. I cleaned out everything, reinstalled everything and filled tell the drip, then tightened it up.

My thoughts and questions,

During my draining i thought it would be a great idea to drain the torque converter also, but i spun the entire thing around by hand twice, and i couldn't find the drain plug, any advice to something I'm doing wrong? To my understanding the 5R55W has a drain plug and the 5R55E does not I was looking through the rubber plug on the bell housing that's meant for just that, but no plug!?

When down shifting from third to second to get on the highway, my truck misses completely and revs to almost the restriction plate before slowly catching the gear and accelerating, any insight on this problem?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this.

P.S. After changing the fluid and everything today, definitely shifts better, although i haven't gotten out to give it a real run, tomorrow ill tighten the bands and hit the road.

Thanks,
Blake F

 

[BrooklynBay]

I don't think there is a drain plug on this torque converter. The servo bores get worn down on these models, and the servos break.

 

[BlakestaExpo]

Yea, I know about the servos in these cars and how their fixed, how hard do you think it will be to drop the transmission and bore them out?

I don't have a lift, the best i could do to lift the truck real high is to put 4" blocks of wood under the rear and drive the front up on the ramps. Do you still think i would be able to do it?

Thanks,
Blake F

P.S. Also, do you think that on my next oil change there is any additive i can put in to maybe cover up the problem a bit? A very reliable old buddy of mine who's been working on only Fords since 64 says the TransmissionMedic Medic, but what do you think? Im really trying to do anything and everything to fix this problem before i go and drop the trans and bore the servos. I'm open to suggestions...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Replace the solenoid block first, and see if this helps before you drop the whole transmission. The kit to repair the case is available from WWW.ServoBore.Com.

 

[BlakestaExpo]

Thanks,

Went to tighten the bands today, now third gear wont catch and the O\D light is flashing, any ideas?

Im starting to get tired of this

 

[BrooklynBay]

Double check what you did when you tightened the band. A band adjustment shouldn't mess anything up just as long as it's tightened to spec. Did you tighten both bands?

 

[BlakestaExpo]

Yes, tightened both, then went back and did the back one again after posting that, tightened it down, hopped in the car with my dad and took it for a spin, It drove PERFECT, i mean PERFECT not a sputter jump bump to it, decided to go a little further just to make sure and about a mile from my house BOOM it lost third gear and couldn't catch it again.

Is it possible that i broke the band?

Lost Here,
-Blake F

EDIT: Also do you think maybe since i changed the fluid yesterday and the new fluid is so thin compared to the old that the new fluid is slipping past the servo and not allowing enough pressure to build to keep it engaged?

 

[BrooklynBay]

A broken band can't be torqued to spec. The stud would keep turning until it went completely into the transmission. A broken servo would allow you to torque the band, but when it tries to apply, it will separate, and slip since it can't apply.

 

[svt4cam]

((Yes, tightened both, then went back and did the back one again after posting that, tightened it down, hopped in the car with my dad and took it for a spin, It drove PERFECT, i mean PERFECT not a sputter jump bump to it, decided to go a little further just to make sure and about a mile from my house BOOM it lost third gear and couldn't catch it again))

When you tightened the bands you did back them back off the specified number of turns (couldn't tell the way this was worded). When you say BOOM it lost third gear was there a noise or something or it just wouldn't shift?

 

[BlakestaExpo]

Well Brooklyn I only tightened the band before I lost third gear, after it happened i just limped home, tightened it by hand a drop more (not torque, just a drop tighter) and then tried to drive it again and no third gear.

And in response to the other post, yes i did tighten it and then back it off the specific number of turns (2).

and when i say BOOM no third gear i mean, I was driving in third everything going great with a smile and then all of a sudden with no noise or anything third gear disengages, RMP'S rocket up and O\D light and Check Engine light comes up, at which point my smile went to and i drove it home using 1st-2nd gear.

 

[BlakestaExpo]

Brook,

Went to tighten the band again today, been a busy week, wouldn't torque at all, bolt almost went all the way into the case. Figuring a broken belt?

I don't have the time to be pulling this tranny, so what do you think a fair price for a rebuild is?

-Blake F

 

[BrooklynBay]

A couple thousand.