Need some help. looked and can not find.

[97Exploader]

Sorry to ask but, I looked for hours now and my eyeballs are going to fall out. I know, a newbe!

Here is my question. 97 X I just got from my mother has a tranny problem. She says it make a funny noise every now and then when she driving it. Sounds like a a spring coming undone when driving along at speed. Now she says it does it more and when you let off the gas it seems to coast but, you give it gas and it goes back in gear like it never did it? No bang, grinding, clicks, no check eng light, nothing. Shifts fine and she drove it for 35 thousand miles that way, now its doing it all the time. Ever hear about that one before? Friend says its the sprag? What can I do to fix it or get a used one and replace it? Thanks for all your help. Jeff

 

[dogfriend]

Is it a 4wd? If so, see the links in this thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=170068&highlight=Transfer+case

 

[97Exploader]

it is 4x4. Thanks dogfriend.

This is what I was told by a "Ford Senior Master,Ase Master with Advanced Level, 25 year Ford Tech, Auto Trans and Drivability"

The overdrive one way clutch in the transmission is failing on the free wheel side. I would not drive it much longer,when the clutch seizes it will break off the hub and the vehicle will loose engagement. Trans will need an overhaul or replacement to repair.

 

[dogfriend]

The transfer case (TC) symptoms and your symptoms are similar, but it could also be the transmission like your friend suggested. If this is happening most of the time, then the clue to determine if it is the TC or the trans would be how it operates in Reverse. If it is the TC, once it gets bad enough it will not work in Rev and will make nasty noises. If it works normally in Rev, then it probably is the one way sprag in the trans like your friend says.

In either event you are probably looking at a rebuild or replacement TC or trans.

 

[97Exploader]

The transfer case (TC) symptoms and your symptoms are similar, but it could also be the transmission like your friend suggested. If this is happening most of the time, then the clue to determine if it is the TC or the trans would be how it operates in Reverse. If it is the TC, once it gets bad enough it will not work in Rev and will make nasty noises. If it works normally in Rev, then it probably is the one way sprag in the trans like your friend says.

In either event you are probably looking at a rebuild or replacement TC or trans.

YAHOOOO! never easy is it! LOL. Well thats what I figured, time to hunt down a used one and TC what should I do to it before I put it in. Other than a screen and fluids.

 

[97Exploader]

OH, I take its a 5r55e? What all years can I use to get one from. Thanks

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, the trans is a 5R55E. The TC is a BW (Borg Warner) 4405. I would try to make sure it is either the TC or the transmission before going through the trouble to find one.

I *think* that you are probably ok with any 5R55E. 97 was the first year for the 5R55E, it was used until 2001 in the Explorer and even after that in the Sport and Sport Trac.

I *know* that the 97 Transfer Case is unique - the 95 -96 had a vacuum disconnect and different front driveshaft than the 97 - the 98 and later moved the Speed Sensor from the TC case to the Rear Differential - so, you need a 97 transfer case for your truck for it to work without modification.

 

[97Exploader]

Thanks dogfriend! I very glad I found this site, I'll be sticking around awhile thanks to you! OH, whats up with the avatars? I can't upload one? gotta pay?

 

[dogfriend]

Yes, you can upload an avatar and there are some other perks to becoming an Elite Explorer. It is $20 per year, but there are some other ways to get "elite" status such as posting a "how to guide" if it is judged to be worthy by the mods.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/elite.html

 

[97Exploader]

That's cool. Thanks

 

[97Exploader]

I have another question, will the tranny matter if it's a 4.0 ohv or sohc?

 

[dogfriend]

I don't think it will make any difference whether the donor is from a 4.0 OHV or a 4.0 SOHC. The 5R55E was used with both engines.

Hopefully someone else will chime in if I am wrong.

 

[97Exploader]

I don't think it will make any difference whether the donor is from a 4.0 OHV or a 4.0 SOHC. The 5R55E was used with both engines.

Hopefully someone else will chime in if I am wrong.

Thanks dogfriend! ANYBODY ELSE?

 

[97Exploader]

Well, I changed out the tranny and used my old transfer and I still have that problem. OH joy joy! So I changed the transfer from the tranny I got used, it don't move now in aot or 4x4 high! Moves in 4x4 low only. Is that an easy fix? Any help on what I need to change to make that one work using my old transfer for the parts? Thanks Jeff

 

[dogfriend]

Are you getting a flashing 4wd light on the dash? I haven't heard anyone with those symptoms before. I wonder if it could be a problem with the shift motor on the new TC? It should be in H range for 4wd Auto and 4wd High, L for 4wd Low. Maybe it isn't shifting into H?

 

[97Exploader]

no it doesn't. I took the old motor off and put it on the other transfer and it shifts. It worked fine on my old TC. I checked it before & after the swap. I just got a call on another TC. Going to yank it out in the morning and change it out. Hope it works LOL.

 

[dogfriend]

Good luck. You are probably getting really fast at removing and installing TCs.

 

[97Exploader]

YA, hour messing around. Hope this one doesn't have any issues LOL Like to drive the damn thing LOL Thanks dogfriend. I'll give you an update.

 

[97Exploader]

Well picked up another TC and after I got it up in I realized that there is no speed sensor on the TC! The holes there but there is no bolt hole to hold it down! It looks like the hole has a plug? Now what do I do!?! Any help would be nice. Thanks Jeff

 

[dogfriend]

PM Izwack. He is one of the moderators. He has built a hybrid case from a 97 and 98. He can tell you what your options are. I think your new case is a 98+. See this thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142207&highlight=girlie