How much to fix broken reverse only?

[Steeda90GT]

I have a 99 Explorer with the 5 speed auto. My reverse went out on me but I've been still driving the truck. Local shop wants 1500 to do a full rebuild. Now Im not sure if I plan on keeping the car much longer, how much should I expect to just have the reverse fixed (not a whole tranny rebuild)

 

[Dan Whitaker]

If reverse is gone then there is going to be more wrong with the tranny.

It will not be much cheaper to just fix reverse if they could than a complete rebuild. They will still have to remove it from your truck & take it apart.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It might be a valve body related problem. Read the 5R55E valve body rebuild diary sticky in the transmission section for more information.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Well he said it was $400 to remove and reinstall the tranny. So if fixing the reverse is only like $200-$300 more than for half the price of a full rebuild I could sell the truck.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You don't have to remove the transmission to rebuild the valve body. Start by dropping the pan to check the valve body gaskets, and check the torque of the bolts.

 

[Steeda90GT]

How do I know if it's a valve body problem or an internal problem (reverse band broken) ?

If the band is broken then I dont want to even bother with removing he valve body.

 

[BrooklynBay]

If the low/reverse band is broken, you wouldn't have drive when you put it into manual 1 (first gear) on the shift selector. You could check the band without tearing the transmission apart by removing the pan, servo cover, and servo. Put a narrow screwdriver into the hole where the servo goes into. If you could feel that the band has some spring action to it, then it's not broken. Check for broken parts in the pan while it's off.

 

[Steeda90GT]

Hmmm, thats interesting because I put the car in 1st (manually) and it moved well under it's own power. I only took it to about 15mph though..

 

[BrooklynBay]

I would rule out the band if you have drive in manual 1st. It might be bad valve body gaskets, or an internal problem with the valve body. Here is where a 0-300 PSI pressure tester would come in handy. Check this link for more information: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117998

 

[Steeda90GT]

Well I really dont have the tools or time to start testing/removing/replacing the valvebody. So since my reverse band is obviously fine, how much should I expect to pay a mechanic to complete this job?

 

[BrooklynBay]

PM Glacier about prices. Maybe he could rebuild one for you, or sell you one which is already rebuilt. You could send him your valve body as a core.