95 Explorer EB Transmission issues after Fluid/Filter

[doubledflooring]

I would first like to say that This is a great forum. I've been coming here ever since I got my Explorer a couple years back and have found you all to be very informative. Due to recent issues with the truck I find myself finally signing up to be a member and asking a question.

Now from what I can tell, Glacier and Brooklyn will most likely be my saving graces (hopefully)

Vehicle History:
1995 Explorer 4D EB 4x4 4.0
190,000
4r55e


Purchased it 3 yrs ago from original owner and it was well maintained.
Except for the Transmission fluid from what I can tell going through the service records.

Last Transmission service was at 120,099

4x4 high works no problem, 4x4 Low doesn't

Prior to any of this ... it was slow to engage Reverse or forward when cold and may have slipped a little but not enough to alarm.

As it happens I was planning to be changing the fluid and filter the weekend this all started on Sunday. *should of did it sooner - hindsight 20/20*

Took my wife out for a picnic (off road) trip totaled about 1 hr.

Got back onto the pavement and kicked off the 4x4 high and notice major slippage.

Was about 40 miles from home

Got to a stop and sounded like it was grinding at take off ... 2nd didn't even feel like it was there ... and then third was ok ... O/D light started blinking

OD was gone now

Got home and changed the fluid and filter - Fluid condition was dark and burnt, and the pan had the infamous glitter in it. (added one 24oz bottle of Lucas and filled the rest with Valvoline Max life D/M)

After the change ... the truck had new life ... no longer delayed shift when cold ... and was snappy on the shifts all through the gears.

Then two weeks after ... it started whining while I was out driving to work ... I got off the Interstate and to a light and it was louder, then when I got rolling again it was hardly noticeable but started to slip and got loud again at the stop light ... Then the major Slippages started to occur. I had to pull over 5 times just to barely make it home .... every gear felt like it was in neutral. Coasted into my garage and it wouldn't move after that.

Just dropped the pan again and My god was the fluid burnt and full of glitter again.

I went ahead and changed fluid/filter this time adding Two 24oz of lucas and rest Maxlife.

Now the whining is still there but hardly as bad as it was and I seem to have full range of the tranny again ... But for how long.

Questions:

Will a full flush fix this or?
Is the TC shot?
Adjust Bands?
Rebuild VB?
Rebuild/replace tranny?

Please help if you can

Thank you

 

[BrooklynBay]

There was probably a lot of old fluid left. I think after changing the fluid twice, you most likely got most of it out. Your pressure issue is most likely due to the EPC getting clogged with old fluid, and being so old with high mileage. Did you check the torque of the valve body bolts, and inspect the corners of the valve body gaskets (especially around the area of the EPC) while the pan was off? The gasket is probably shot, and usually shows this at specific temperatures. All of this dirt might be caught in the crevices of the valve body, so a valve body rebuild with a shift kit might help.

 

[doubledflooring]

I did check the bolts but blanked about the gasket ... I think i'm goin to do a full flush with a new filter in a week ... if it holds ... when i drop the pan for that I'll pull the valve body and inspect and service .... how much should I expect for a rebuild kit?

Is there a diary for the 4r55e VB on here? or is the same as the 5r55e that Glacier did?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It should be similar to the 5R55E VB thread. I would also recommend flushing the front cooler with cooler cleaner.

 

[doubledflooring]

Just took it out for a test and then topped it off ... then test again ... tranny back to normal and a slight whine so I will do the VB next weekend and fluid/filter again (hopefully the last time)