'98 Explorer 5R55E no reverse only

[aloha]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum and want to thank all for their input. Great forum. Anyway my problem is that I put my '98 4.0 Explorer (2 wheel drive) in reverse and drove back about 2 feet then heard a loud popping sound and thought I hit something. I checked and nothing was behind or under my vehicle. The reverse lights work, all foreward gears work, the ATF is full, clean and doesn't smell burnt. But I have no reverse. I have a 5R55E trans with o/d. No dash lights came on or blinked. Can anyone help? Thank you.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Sometimes a problem like this could be in the transfer case (shift fork).

 

[aloha]

Can I git to the shift forks from the drain pan?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The shift fork is part of the transfer case. Check the sticky thread on the top of this section: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1630316&postcount=7

 

[BrooklynBay]

So from your PM, and edit on the top of the page you have no transfer case. So it might be a planetary, one way sprag, band, reverse modulator spool in the valve body, chipped servo tip, or servo O ring seals. Check to see if you have manual 1st gear.

 

[aloha]

I have all foreward gears even when I manually put the gear selector in 1,2 and D. When I shift in reverse the idle drops very slightly as if it is engaging but still no reverse even if I rev the engine.

 

[aloha]

Well I had to buy a new car today because the transmission repair shops want $3000 for a rebuilt. My explorer was my police/private use vehicle since over here we get a subsidized pay to use our own vehicle for police work. No car no extra pay. I still want to fix the explorer as I will give it to my daughter. What would you do? Buy a rebuilt, buy a salvage trani, or ? Im offically broke,broke,broke, worried. Mahalo (Thank you in Hawaiian). p.s. My explorer has 114000 miles however I always took care of it and everything else is in good condition as I was a mechanic for 10 years prior to becoming a cop.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What kind of vehicle did you buy? I think you should try to rebuild it on your own. A used transmission is a gamble if you don't know its history.

 

[aloha]

I bought a '07 4runner sr5. Everyone at work who has one has never had any problems. Thanks for your advise Brooklyn I think I will rebuild the trans myself, just gotta rent a trans floor jack. do I need any specialty Ford tools? I have all the other tools I need. Oh and about how much do you think all the parts will run. I get a discount over here from some of the parts stores and Ford.

 

[BrooklynBay]

One member which lives in Hawaii (James) 8588Ranger is your best contact if you get stuck on something transmission related. His expertise I believe is on the A4LD, but should also be knowledgeable with your 5R55E. He was the one which told this site about WWW.TransmissionPartsUSA.Com.

 

[aloha]

Thank you Brooklynbay for all your help.