Okay, tranny is starting to slip

[EasyRhino]

2002, 103K miles, 4.6L V8, 4x4. Tranny fluid changed regularly, no repairs on tranny ever (yet).

Thought I noticed it slipping while very slowly backing up the driveway with a load in the back. Basically, while creeping slowly backwards up my very steep driveway, it slipped very slightly.

Today, driving up the driveway very slowly to test for this problem in forward it did the same thing.

No codes and no flashing OD light.

Is this a simple "tighten your bands" indicator or something else?

 

[BrooklynBay]

According to the 2002 spec page: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/spec2002.htm, It says that you have the 5R55W, so it has 2 band adjustments. The servos, bores, and solenoid blocks are high wear components on these transmissions. The solenoid blocks tend to act up around 60K miles, and you already have over 100K miles.

 

[4x4GoExplore]

i have an 05 (70k) that i just took in to the local dealership w/ the same problem. it felt more like a shaking to me in reverse and then going forward it felt as though the trans wasn't engaging. rpm's increased as i pushed on the accelerator and then it 'grabbed' and was fine.

i purchased the extended warranty to 100K so my deduct. was $50 to fix what they said was a solenoid problem in the trans. no probs since then but i am definately keeping an eye on things.

i hope that this may help you.

 

[EasyRhino]

According to the 2002 spec page: http://www.explorerforum.com/ntrprize/spec2002.htm, It says that you have the 5R55W, so it has 2 band adjustments. The servos, bores, and solenoid blocks are high wear components on these transmissions. The solenoid blocks tend to act up around 60K miles, and you already have over 100K miles.

Thanks, BB, I was hoping you would weigh in on this one.

I have been lucky with this 5R55W so far, but my luck may be running out.

The wife and I like this truck, but have low tolerance for a vehicle that cannot be depended on or requires extensive repairs (currently putting in an essentially completely new front end).

Also, don't want to put a ton of money in it, nor do we want to misrepresent it to any potential buyer, so I guess I'm on the hook to fix it.

What I'm thinking:

New solenoid block: http://www.800700tran.com/prod.itml/icOid/159

New valve body: http://www.800700tran.com/prod.itml/icOid/157

New sensors: http://www.800700tran.com/prod.itml/icOid/347

tighten bands: (confused here, can't locate directions - read somewhere that 1st/reverse was not adujustable??)

renew (again) fluid and filter.

If that improves it I can justify keeping it a few more years (only gets about 6K/year use and no severe service), and in a year or so install a shift kit to crisp it up.

If that doesn't do it, then I think I am in for a more significant repair (not sufficiently skilled to rebuild tranny myself).

 

[BrooklynBay]

You should try a band adjustment first before throwing money into it. The low/reverse band is not adjustable but the other two are. The band adjustment chart sticky in the transmission section explains how to adjust everything.

 

[EasyRhino]

You should try a band adjustment first before throwing money into it. The low/reverse band is not adjustable but the other two are. The band adjustment chart sticky in the transmission section explains how to adjust everything.

Thank you, sir, I shall try that first - next weekend (I just finished the whole front end job - upper and lower ball joints and brakes). Time for a cold one (or four).

As always, you are very helpful.

 

[1_v8_merc]

My tranny used to hesitate/slip between gears.
Took it in for a tranny flush, not a problem since then.
(the dealer told me the filters get clogged and needa be cleaned often, especially if you drive thru lots of water or mud....which is EXACTLY what I did, very often....)