97 5R55E Cuts loose in forward gears - ratcheting noise -new trans time ?

[joe-doggs]

Dear friends,

1997 Explorer w/ 6 cyl SOHC motor 4X4 - Was driving home & the transmission "cut-loose" - by this I mean the tach revved up like I took it out of gear - there was a ratcheting/raking sound that occured with engine rpm - revving engine made the ratcheting sound increase in frequency - Complete loss of forward gears. To save the trans I put it in neutral & coasted to side of road. But, at side of raod - putting it back in drive got me going like all was normal - I had normel acceleration & updhifts - but a mile or so down the road - the same thing happened again. I was able to make it home by coasting to side of road in neutral & puting in drive etc. all the way home. Question - anyone know what is wrong with this - Ive heard these trans fatigue out the bands & cook out the servo? Any ideas would be appreciated . What is the scoop in doing a performance rebuild on these trans ? - is it better to just buy a later model trans with all the FORD/ATSG updates ?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Did you check the ATF level? Does this only happen at certain temperatures? How many miles do you have on it? I would suggest that you do a pressure test, or drive with a pressure gauge connected to it to see what the pressure is when this problem occurs. It could be the EPC solenoid, valve body gaskets, or loose valve body bolts. When was the last time you replaced the fluid, and filter? The filter could be badly clogged.

 

[goldsburg]

Dear friends,

1997 Explorer w/ 6 cyl SOHC motor 4X4 - Was driving home & the transmission "cut-loose" - by this I mean the tach revved up like I took it out of gear - there was a ratcheting/raking sound that occured with engine rpm - revving engine made the ratcheting sound increase in frequency - Complete loss of forward gears. To save the trans I put it in neutral & coasted to side of road. But, at side of raod - putting it back in drive got me going like all was normal - I had normel acceleration & updhifts - but a mile or so down the road - the same thing happened again. I was able to make it home by coasting to side of road in neutral & puting in drive etc. all the way home. Question - anyone know what is wrong with this - Ive heard these trans fatigue out the bands & cook out the servo? Any ideas would be appreciated . What is the scoop in doing a performance rebuild on these trans ? - is it better to just buy a later model trans with all the FORD/ATSG updates ?

This is very similar to what mine is doing right now, but not quite as bad. Mine cuts loose in 1st on the wayo to 2nd, but then doesn't have a problem with any of the other gears. Does it when trans is warm, doesn't when cold. Did it several times in a row today, so I stopped and checked the trans fluid (again). Apparently this was enough for it to cool down, as when I drive to the local Ford garage it wouldn't do it at all!!! I am going to try a trans flush first and if that doesn't fix it in will go a new valve body with the Ford TSB updates on the separator plates.

Regards,

Goldsburg