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96 explorer 4r55e had no reverse after rebuild but found the fix

mikeonbike1962

New Member
Joined
October 16, 2011
Messages
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City, State
orlando florida
Year, Model & Trim Level
1997 explorer 4wd
The ex had lost od so I figured I can fix it. Turns out the od clutch basket sheared its center. Got new hard parts and realized that this tranny was probably rebuilt about 50k or less ago. So I disassembled it all for academic purposes including some of the valve body ( enough to clean it)

Put it back together, new tc, filter, fluid. Test run had no reverse. Dang.

Did several tests but nothing conclusive so I pulled it again.

Here's the problem: reverse servo rod was not connecting properly to the band (actually stuck) because the band had slipped out of place during reassembly.

The manual has a blurb about putting the servo in after the band installation but not in bold ( as if its not important ). Oh well. So here's my advise:

1. Get the 25$ manual
2. Read once before starting
3. Buy a 6$ drain plug kit so you can install it the first time ( jegs on eBay)
4. Some vendors use really cheap parts so be careful.
5. The valve body has a few hidden surprises so go slow and careful (keepers fall out and pucks get lost)
6. Some tools can be made from other scrap laying around ( like a clutch press, or notching a long screwdriver for a ring plier.)
7. Watch all of Hiram guitarez videos on you tube.
8. Access the tranny bolts using a 3 ft extension from the back after removing the crossmember and lowering the rear of the Trans.
9. Use Vaseline to hold bushings and stuff together on reassembly
10. The only knowledge base is web. Shops don't seem to sell knowledge only work and parts

I hope this post helps someone

Mike
Orlando
 



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Great tips! And that was the first transmission I ever overhauled,and had the same problem. later learning that was a right of passage to become a builder. All the techs were waiting after install to see if I had rev, I think there may have been some money on it. LOL! A Rookie mistake. Glad you worked through it and have a working transmission!
Good job
 






Where did you buy your parts Mike ? Did you buy a rebuild Kit ? Would you recommend these parts ? Did you rebuild this thing without a manual ? Tranny working well now ?
 






Where did you buy your parts Mike ? Did you buy a rebuild Kit ? Would you recommend these parts ? Did you rebuild this thing without a manual ? Tranny working well now ?

Hard parts I needed came from shift rite in ill, generic parts came frm transmissionsusa. Com. Yes some of their parts (thrust washers) seemed inferior. The upside I had was that the tranny had probably been rebuilt within 50k before I cracked it open so I did not replace all seals etc

I used a manual - anything less:only a fool :)

Goes back in tomorrow morning. I'm 99% confident.

When you set the reverse band follow it through with temporarily putting in the servo piston and cap. With Vaseline, the servo should be springy and offer a little resistance when putting the servo cover on.

You'll remove it later with the valve body install but you will now know what proper feels like

(Giving away the magician secrets here )

Mike
 






Yes rides and drives with reverse and od

Sorry about the delay ...
Took 3 hrs to install (I'm getting good at this). Juiced it up and did the test run an viola, runs just like it did. All shifts feel good. 10 ft # on the bands and 2 turns out.

Now it has to go- all that work for selling at 1200. Doesn't makes sense. These are the cheapest used vehicles ever

Mike
 






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