80% of 2005 Explorer Transmissions Fail

[jrford]

i was post #14 a few back. Over 50k on my rebuild, towed the whole 105k. . .no problems. The fix should last a few.

 

[Ted22]

I have 77k on mine... Started with 2-3 sec delay into R last week... I did fluid and filter, now it's shifting poorly all over. Hope it's just a level, but suspect the tranny going.

Hard to blame Ford when I didn't do the fluid till 77k... Still frustrating. Hope to get at least a few more months out of it!

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

I have 77k on mine... Started with 2-3 sec delay into R last week... I did fluid and filter, now it's shifting poorly all over. Hope it's just a level, but suspect the tranny going.

Hard to blame Ford when I didn't do the fluid till 77k... Still frustrating. Hope to get at least a few more months out of it!

Most likely the fluid level is low.

 

[Ted22]

Can you direct me to a link on how to properly service the fluid? I have found a video or two on YouTube, and read this forum. Just need a bit more guidence since im dumb!

Specifically, do I allow the npt adaptor thingie I got from napa to drain to a trickle, no fluid flowing out, etc? What I've done is let the trans get up to temp, then take out the center plug with the engine running(verified exhaust pipe is hot with my bare hand ), pump some fluid in, then allow to derain until the solid flow stops... Guess I'm not sure if it's all flow, till it trickles, drips, or if none comes out.

how much extra can I put in without damaging things? Maybe I should go till it stops then Put in a quarter quart?

Thanks!

Update: only had a minute free today, so with the engine off and cold I just pumped about 1/4 of a quart into the trans... Drives much better. I fully suspect I'm just not servicing the trans correctly.... I'm off to do more research

 

[deaconblues]

fluid level check, oring servo fix

Ted22, shift through all the gears once or twice before you check to see if fluid streams from the center plug (engine running), and be sure that the vehicle is level. The fluid level will be low if you check it without the transmission pump running, or if the vehicle is facing uphill or leaning towards the driver's side.

Just installed the oring servos to address rough shifts (no OD flashing yet, 02 Mountaineer, 128k miles). I also took some time to chamfer the sharp edges at the center milled-out part of the piston shaft -I understand that these sharp machined steel edges greatly accelerate the wear on the aluminum case bores with the off-center loading when in operation. So far, much smoother shifting, and elimination of some TC shuddering! Hopefully it'll last awhile...

 

[Ted22]

Thanks again for the help! I haven't had an opportunity to work on it again, but it is Much better!

Wonder how many transmissions have been replaced before they were done? Perhaps we could change the name of this thread to be "80% of explorer transmissions are bad according to transmission shops". I'm pretty sure the only thing wrong with mine was worn fluid, and now my inability to get the fluid level correct

 

[bbowers]

The transmission shop that I used two years ago said that my transmission fluid in my 2005 Explorer couldn't be replaced because of how it was built. He said that it wore out quicker because some part of it (sorry, but I've forgotten) didn't sit vertically; and because of that gravity wore it out quicker.

I didn't explain that well but hopefully you'll understand what he meant.

 

[2Trux]

The transmission shop that I used two years ago said that my transmission fluid in my 2005 Explorer couldn't be replaced because of how it was built. He said that it wore out quicker because some part of it (sorry, but I've forgotten) didn't sit vertically; and because of that gravity wore it out quicker.

I didn't explain that well but hopefully you'll understand what he meant.

What he meant was; I want to take your money and give you a new tranny.

 

[Ted22]

What he meant was; I want to take your money and give you a new tranny.

...Or "I want to take your money". Pretty sure he didn't want to give anything for it.

 

[mall]

note: I found the transmission thread - figured there had to be a collection of topics on it, just didn't find it right away

I ordered the Ford Servo Bore Fix. I'll begin prepping my Explorer for it by soaking all the nuts and bolts in WD40. While I'm at it I'm going to drop the pan and look around .

Can you post the link to the transmission thread? I have an 03 starting to shift bad and I would prefur to fix it myself.

 

[KFWA]

Transmission Thread

 

[KFWA]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I know you said it isn't right that they do this and it isn't, but what ever happened to selling quality products in America that are built to last? 45K plus for a new Explorer these days isn't chump change, it's top dollar. You'd like to think a major vehicle component like a transmission would last, "well past" the 3 year, factory warranty period. A 3 year warranty is nothing in todays life of a vehicle. Most new vehicle auto loans are taken out for 5-6 years before the vehicle is paid off. I've also seen ads for some of the Asian made vehicles coming with 10 year, factory powertrain warranties (engine and transmission). Why can't Ford back up their vehicles the same way?

a little late but after going back and reading #14, I found this
When I owned the Honda Odyssey, it had a 3/36K warranty. One day in the mail I received a letter from them saying they were extending the warranty on the transmission to 100K because of the high rate of failures.

I ended up reading about what caused the failure and found that tranmission flushes (which Ford recommends) are the death knell for wearing transmissions and what Odyssey owners were doing was the 3X fill method. They filled and drained the tranny 3 times (I used cheap stuff the first 2 times) which washed out the grit at the bottom of the pan but didn't alter the consistency of the fluid on the gears and clutches.

Of course that would be a nightmare with the design of the ford tranny.

After the transmission flush, I put Ford Friction Additive in the tranny in the hopes of that providing a miracle cure. It did nothing of course. eh..$5 and 30 minutes of my time wasted. No biggie.

I went with the servo bore fix solution - spent $300 and another $100 on a creeper and floor jack. Haven't had a chance to do the fix yet but as I said earlier, if I take my time and do it right, from what I've read I should get another 40K miles out of it at least, and while that is still disappointing, it gives me a chance to make a better decision about how I want to address my auto situation down the road.

Also, when I put in the friction additive, I replaced the hex plug with a 1/8 NPT with a 1/2 hex head. I also bought an $8 hand pump and made a connector to fit into the tranny drain plug/tube.

I'll be at the point where I'm so geared up to work on this car I may just keep it warts and all as opposed to rolling the dice on another.