Rebuilt Automatic Transmission Shifting Hard, Bottoming Out When Stopping, 97 Explorer LTD 4.0 V6

[Mbrooks420]

I certainly wouldn’t want my torque converter cut apart, and patched back together.

 

[1998Exp]

TC was cleaned and rebuilt ... They told me they cut it in half, cleaned it up, tested all components turbine and others and welded it up again... I assumed it was Ok since all of it worked well for more than a year...
As searched in the Internet (this forumn as well) the P0741 code may be cos a lot of causes... From a should-be-rebuild (done..!!!) to solenoids, servo leaks, to torque converter seals (a new torque converter and tranny disasemmbly on this), to a new valve body... ... I´ve addresed the first two at first...

Really? Doesn't look like a task for a transmission shop. Just proper balancing might be more than they can handle. A good excuse to charge you for something that was never done, perhaps?

 

[JK080]

I just had my transmission replaced with a rebuilt one at a reputable tranny shop where I live.

I replaced the old one as it was: shifting hard (big clunk) from 2nd to 3rd, clunking when downshifting to 1st gear when stopping, and hard shifting into reverse.

The rebuilt transmission does the exact same thing, 4400 dollars later. The mechanic told me that they were focussed on making the rebuilt transmission as robust as possible, and put spacers in to support longevity over smooth shifting and ride comfort.

I told them that, had I known the transmission would be as jarring in the same
Way as the old one, I would have continued with the old one until it burnt out amd put off such a big expense (they told me my old tranny may have lasted up to one-two more years shifting rough before it completely failed, but this is my dream truck and I told them I want it running smooth and as such would invest in the rebuild).

They also said these explorers always shifted rough even when new (I had a 94 explorer that didn’t shift rough until the tranny died and the rebuilt ran smooth as silk).

The mechanic told me they need to think about it and let me know so we can all come
To some arrangement that works for all of us.

Is what the mechanic is saying make sense? Am I expecting too much from a rebuilt transmission for a 25 year old truck?

Thanks
For your insights!

Randy

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Hard shifts, hard downshifts and a hard reverse engagment are all signs of a control problem, most likely a bad PCM. THEY need to but a gauge on it to see where the line pressure is.

 

[Turdle]

Duplicate thread deleted

Bumping this to the top

 

[Randy8026]

I just had my transmission replaced with a rebuilt one at a reputable tranny shop where I live.

I replaced the old one as it was: shifting hard (big clunk) from 2nd to 3rd, clunking when downshifting to 1st gear when stopping, and hard shifting into reverse.

The rebuilt transmission does the exact same thing, 4400 dollars later. The mechanic told me that they were focussed on making the rebuilt transmission as robust as possible, and put spacers in to support longevity over smooth shifting and ride comfort.

I told them that, had I known the transmission would be as jarring in the same
Way as the old one, I would have continued with the old one until it burnt out amd put off such a big expense (they told me my old tranny may have lasted up to one-two more years shifting rough before it completely failed, but this is my dream truck and I told them I want it running smooth and as such would invest in the rebuild).

They also said these explorers always shifted rough even when new (I had a 94 explorer that didn’t shift rough until the tranny died and the rebuilt ran smooth as silk).

The mechanic told me they need to think about it and let me know so we can all come
To some arrangement that works for all of us.

Is what the mechanic is saying make sense? Am I expecting too much from a rebuilt transmission for a 25 year old truck?

Thanks
For your insights!

Randy

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My truck is at the mechanic and also the transmission shop today, will update. All suggestions were put forward! Thanks all for the insight and hopefully it’s a good outcome!
Randy

 

[Randy8026]

I'm interested in seeing where this goes

So after: changing the differential fluid, replacing the UV joints, and checking on all recommended checks on this thread (save for the PCM module as my mechanic said I’d need to go to ford), still the rough shift.

The transmission shop is going to put a spacer kit in it next week to see if that addresses the rough shifting (apparently it’s a thing with these transmissions the rough shift from 2-3 and the rough down shift). I’ll post the photo of the brochure here for anyone interested.

If that fails they will (finally) do a complete detailed tear down and rebuild of the transmission (again). They’ve been quite professional but of course they don’t want to do unnecessary work hence the rabbit hole I went down with them trying to fix everything else. I told them I just want what I paid for: a smooth shifting transmission.

I’ll update as more develops. I love this truck!!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

So after: changing the differential fluid, replacing the UV joints, and checking on all recommended checks on this thread (save for the PCM module as my mechanic said I’d need to go to ford), still the rough shift.

The transmission shop is going to put a spacer kit in it next week to see if that addresses the rough shifting (apparently it’s a thing with these transmissions the rough shift from 2-3 and the rough down shift). I’ll post the photo of the brochure here for anyone interested.

If that fails they will (finally) do a complete detailed tear down and rebuild of the transmission (again). They’ve been quite professional but of course they don’t want to do unnecessary work hence the rabbit hole I went down with them trying to fix everything else. I told them I just want what I paid for: a smooth shifting transmission.

I’ll update as more develops. I love this truck!!

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transgo good brand

 

[Randy8026]

I'm interested in seeing where this goes

After much to do, and the transmission shop replacing this rebuilt transmission with a brand new one that they sourced; It now shifts like a dream.

 

[Randy8026]

Thank you everybody for your suggestions! After all is said and done, they sourced a brand new transmission for me and replaced this rebuilt one. There are no problems with shifting now, it shifts like a dream. It was a long haul but I am happy with the final result

 

[donalds]

Great job

 

[DintDobbs]

@Randy8026 Excellent! Patience is a virtue. When dealing with problems, and particularly problems involving other people, patience is the most important ingredient in the recipe.

That's a beautiful truck, I'd be jealous if I didn't have one like it!

 

[Randy8026]

@Randy8026 Excellent! Patience is a virtue. When dealing with problems, and particularly problems involving other people, patience is the most important ingredient in the recipe.

That's a beautiful truck, I'd be jealous if I didn't have one like it!

Agreed! I’ll have to check out a pic of your truck!

 

[Tony H]

Sounds like bad U joints.

I just had my transmission replaced with a rebuilt one at a reputable tranny shop where I live.

I replaced the old one as it was: shifting hard (big clunk) from 2nd to 3rd, clunking when downshifting to 1st gear when stopping, and hard shifting into reverse.

The rebuilt transmission does the exact same thing, 4400 dollars later. The mechanic told me that they were focussed on making the rebuilt transmission as robust as possible, and put spacers in to support longevity over smooth shifting and ride comfort.

I told them that, had I known the transmission would be as jarring in the same
Way as the old one, I would have continued with the old one until it burnt out amd put off such a big expense (they told me my old tranny may have lasted up to one-two more years shifting rough before it completely failed, but this is my dream truck and I told them I want it running smooth and as such would invest in the rebuild).

They also said these explorers always shifted rough even when new (I had a 94 explorer that didn’t shift rough until the tranny died and the rebuilt ran smooth as silk).

The mechanic told me they need to think about it and let me know so we can all come
To some arrangement that works for all of us.

Is what the mechanic is saying make sense? Am I expecting too much from a rebuilt transmission for a 25 year old truck?

Thanks
For your insights!

Randy

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