'96 Explorer XLT eating 4R55Es

[BBQdrew]

Hey all!

Well, I've about had it with this Explorer. We've gotten good service, but the trannies are a sore spot. We bought it in '05 with ~90k miles, and rebuilt the tranny a year later. We then had to rebuild again after 70k (different shop), back in June of '14.

So, now, not even 20k miles later, we're facing yet another possible rebuild, and I'm wondering, what the heck is going on? Is this transmission really that bad? :roll: Is there something else, perhaps in the cooling system, that might be affecting this?

Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated! I am SERIOUSLY cheesed off, and oh, the bad words that are tryin' to get out of my head right now...

I was looking forward to playin' in the snow!

Thanks, and cheers from Maryland's soon-to-be-snow-covered Eastern Shore

 

[4rd Xplora]

I'm really scratching my head on this one. I've heard of the 5sp trans having some problems but not so much the 4sp. Maybe add a trans cooler and service the trans once a year? My '96 has over 300K with the original trans but it only does light duty and mostly hiway use. I service it every other year. I have a friend that had a 2K Explorer with a 5sp that went thru 3 trans in 3 1/2 years. The key word is HAD.

 

[Robman]

I would never actively search for a SOHC with a 5r55e again, ever.

The v8 and it's drivetrain is reliable and so is the OHV 4.0 with a 5 speed standard trans.

 

[BBQdrew]

Not sure what we're going to do. Don't wanna drop yet another rebuild or reman in, but if I try to sell it with a bad transmission, I'll get nothing for it. There are a number of other issues with this old dog, and it might, at this point, be best to cut my losses and
move on.

The guy who did the rebuild also mentioned the possibility that the transmission cooler might not be working properly, speeding up the death spiral. Glad to have a concurring second opinion.

This truck DOES kick some serious booty in the snow, even in stock trim. We're just east of the bullseye of the big blizzard, and I was looking forward to a little playtime, but alas, 'tis not to be.

Drat.

Thanks for the replies. Cross 'em if ya got 'em that it's something simple!

Cheers from MD's Eastern Shore!
Andy

 

[Robman]

Odd.. the cooler seems to be a small item when compared to a rebuild, you'd think he would have confirmed it was operational, I mean... it's just a radiator. Check it for flow, volume, leaks..

 

[mark2016]

Not sure what we're going to do. Don't wanna drop yet another rebuild or reman in, but if I try to sell it with a bad transmission, I'll get nothing for it. There are a number of other issues with this old dog, and it might, at this point, be best to cut my losses and move on. The guy who did the rebuild also mentioned the possibility that the transmission cooler might not be working properly, speeding up the death spiral. Glad to have a concurring second opinion. This truck DOES kick some serious booty in the snow, even in stock trim. We're just east of the bullseye of the big blizzard, and I was looking forward to a little playtime, but alas, 'tis not to be. Drat. Thanks for the replies. Cross 'em if ya got 'em that it's something simple! Cheers from MD's Eastern Shore! Andy

Cheers from across the bay! Couple of questions: What are the symptoms? How often do you change the fluid? Have you tried replacing the external cooler, it's really easy?

 

[BBQdrew]

Cheers from across the bay! Couple of questions: What are the symptoms? How often do you change the fluid? Have you tried replacing the external cooler, it's really easy?

Thanks, and Cheers back atcha!

The symptoms are primarily that it will go in reverse just fine, but when you put it in drive? Yeah, not so much. No movement at all. However, if you downshift to 1st, it will creep along just a little. It was enough to get it clear of the middle of the parking lot I call my driveway (the knuckledragger who lived here before us paved the front yard).

I checked the fluid and it does not appear or smell burnt, but will check it more closely tomorrow, after the weather calms down.

As for the cooler, it's built into the radiator, which I replaced in September 2014. No cooling problems with the engine.

I tried a couple of times to get it to move, and one time, when putting it into drive, it made a VERY odd sound that defies description, the kind that tells you you're in deep yogurt.

As for changing the fluid, I haven't yet, but it doesn't even have 20k on this rebuild.

That's about all I can tell you at the moment.

Thanks for the replies, y'all, I truly appreciate them!

Cheers from MD's Eastern Shore (and the 16+ inches of snow to go with it)!

 

[4rd Xplora]

As for the cooler, it's built into the radiator, which I replaced in September 2014. No cooling problems with the engine.

I meant an external trans cooler unit that fits in front of the radiator.

 

[Robman]

if it's a OHV, some of them didn't come with coolers.

My 97 4 door ohv doesn't have one.

 

[Flash]

Less than 20k? Isn't it covered by warranty?

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Was an external filter installed with the first rebuild? Many rebuilt trans
aren't warranted without a Magnefine filter installed in the line. The
problem is debris in the radiator cooler from the old trans that's transferred
to the new trans, causing premature failure.

 

[BBQdrew]

Less than 20k? Isn't it covered by warranty?

Looks like I've got some questions for the shop when they dig out on Monday.

My '96 does not have an external cooler nor does it have an external filter, so I may be out of luck.

I'll update when I have something to report, but thanks again for the replies and support!

Cheers from MD's Eastern Shore!

 

[BBQdrew]

Update:

Warranty is a year, so that's out.

I dug in a little bit and found that the fluid looks and smells right (whew). It will move forward when I shift to 1st gear, and the shop owner said that it sounds like the input sprag is broken. It's still an expensive repair 'cause the whole damned thing has to come out. Zippity-friggin'-doo-dah.

He does sound like he's trying to do what he can for me on this, and stand behind his work. Just sucks to drop yet another $1000-1200 in this old dog.

He's towing it tomorrow for a look-see, and we'll go from there.

So, do I fix or sell? This is NOT the only thing wrong. There's a lot of foks arguing to sell it as is, but I doubt I'll get much for it. Just have to wait and see.

That's it for now, more to come soon (hopefully good news).

Thanks, and

Cheers from MD's Eastern Shore!

 

[BBQdrew]

The guy at that shop tore the tranny down and, sure enough, the overdrive sprag ate itself and the drum, too. The whole thing had to be torn down to get to it, so it's basically another rebuild. I am not amused, as I now have as much in the transmission as we paid for the whole damned truck!

Gonna nurse this joker along until July, when my daughter goes to Basic Training, then I'll be selling it.

Not a happy way to start the weekend.

Cheers from Maryland's Eastern Shore!

 

[C420sailor]

Rip it all out and put a manual in. That's my plan when my 5R finally eats it.