shift kit vs seperator plate

[greg s]

(97 Explorer sohc 5r55e) I am going to do some maintenance and repair to solve my delayed reverse problem and while I am in there I figure I will be proactive in solving any future problems that I have seen posted like delayed shifting and slipping. My questions is whether to get the Ford seperator plate which is supposed to fix those problems or install the Transgo shift kit which is also supposed to fix those problems? Also any comments on the use of Lubeguard supplements? Which one to use with the Mercon V? Thanks for the help!

 

[CDW6212R]

Go to a transmission parts store. They should carry both the TransGo correction kit, and the Lubeguard. I have used them in many cars. Plan on the kit to take two or three times longer than you originally plan. Good luck,
DonW

 

[Glacier991]

If you have the 5R55 valve body out, I would recommend several things. First upgrade the boost valve using the Sonnax replacement. 2nd, I'd buy the parts listed in the FORD TSB 03-22-10 (which includes a different separator plate) and for that I'd contact Torrie at Ford Parts Network (a site sponsor and easy to find and great to deal with). I would also get the Superior upgrade kit and install it at the same time... it allows you to make mild modifications.. it is not some HOT rod thing, just a fix of a few known trouble spots.... Ok cost... Sonnax Boost valve... in the neighborhood of $40 (WELL WORTH IT) the Ford TSB.. again about $40 to 50.... DO IT ! The Shift Kit? another $50.... your call. Me, I'd do it...

(thinking out loud... we NEED a detailed photo thread of all this in a 5R VB rebuild methinks... anyone got a spare ?)

 

[DirtyDog]

I got a Superior shift kit in my '99 and it made quite an improvement. It did fix the delayed reverse also. This shift kit in combonation with my custom flasher made this tranny pretty near perfect. Alot smoother shifts and better shift points.

 

[DirtyDog]

I should also add that if you do this buy a factory service manual on CD from e-bay. It saved my @$$ quite a few times. The valve body has like 26 bolts that are 5 different sizes and a special torque pattern for them because they can warp very easy. And there are retaining pins that can easily fall out when you have the seperator plate off-there is a pic on the CD manual that shows where they go. Also don't forget to get a new gasket for the seperator plate-mine was broken in 2 places.

 

[Glacier991]

Thanks Dirty Dog... all very excellent advice from somoene who has been there!

 

[greg s]

Thanks for all the great advice definately sounds like the way I want to go. Two questions; anyone no of a good online supplier for the Superior Shift Kit and what the part # is? And two, Dirty Dog do you remember what vendor on e-bay you got the service manual from and approx cost?

 

[DirtyDog]

I bought my Supirior shift kit off e-bay from roadmastertranz. Sorry I don't remember who I bought the CD from though, I bought it about a year ago. It is a burnt copy and I payed around $13 shipped.




Edit:Shift kit was $35+shipping

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Greg, the part number of the Superior kit is #K4R/5R55E. If you do an eBay search, you should find several.

 

[CDW6212R]

You might check your local trans parts stores. They usually carry these common things. I'll be calling here today. LOL,
DonW

 

[greg s]

Thanks for all the info! Has anybody put both the seperator plate and shift kit in a tranny yet? My only concern is that if the seperator plate is reprograming the tranny via the oil circuits (which is my understanding and correct me if I am wrong) and it looks like you drill a few holes in the oil circuits for the shift kit, will this be a problem? I would hate to drill the valve body and find out that it wont work with the new seperator plate, and does the shift kit do the same thing the seperator plate is doing? Thanks for the help!

 

[CDW6212R]

Good questions, I'd ask that also.
I am planning on adding the plate($12), the TSB kit($12), a TransGo kit($36), a Sonnax boost valve, and an inline filter.

Do buy a 1/4" torque wrench, a cheap one can be had for about $25.

What fluid is required for these, can regular Mercon be used? I'd prefer to run normal fluid firsst, and change to something better on my next servicing.
DonW

 

[CDW6212R]

Be sure to fill the transmission when you finish. Start it after adding about five quarts of fluid. Immediately check the level, and add more fluid at just a half quart at a time. It can go over full quickly.
When it stabilizes, slowly shift through the gears, stopping it at each position for several seconds. Recheck the fluid level and add more, until it is full. Don't drive it until you are sure that the fluid is full.
Recheck the level a couple more times after driving it. Good luck,
DonW

 

[fordkrazy]

slipping?

hey all....

wow lots of new faces...its been a while since ive been on...but i need you guys....my 96 (4r55e) slips...well it seems to. the thing is that its like it comes out of gear. if i hit the gas a little it slams back into gear. now i have almost 130k miles on it with out any work to the tranny which i know is rare so when it first started doing it i thought it was the classic worn bands and stripped star washer...but if it was that it would always slip and this doesnt cause when it goes into gear it really thumps and it chirps the tires if im on the gas too much (when it really pisses me off :fire: ) so then i thought well maybe the valve body is crudded up or the intake screen is clogged.

what do you guys think....i dont really have the time or money to replace the damn thing since its 2200 after the core charge rebate!!!

 

[greg s]

I did a little more investigation on the shift kit vs seperator plate. First I checked e-bay and didnt find the kit listed but checked with roadmastertranz and he has it available and relisted it on his e-bay site. Then I emailed him about it and the plate and he says they put the kit in every trans. they remanufacturer and it does what it says it will do. He also said they also tried the seperator plate instead but had to many problems and complaints. So with that I think I will stick with the kit only and add the boost valve and gaskets, filter, etc. and maybe some Lubeguard additive.

 

[CDW6212R]

I've found the plate and TSB kit at my Ford dealer. I'm headed to my ABC Transmissions parts store for the boost valve, gaskets, shift kit, filter, and Lubeguard.
Don

 

[CDW6212R]

Hello, I have bought a TransGo shift kit, along with a Sonnax boost valve, inline filter, etc. The total was just over $100, for everything but fluid.

I just called TransGo, and asked about using their kit with the Ford TSB kit, and separater plate. I was told that the Ford parts are compatible, but not necessary. I will skip the Ford TSB parts, and see how the TransGo kit works.

I also bought a bottle of Lubeguard, the version which is made to use with normal Mercon III, basically the equivalent of Mercon V(synthetic). I have liked the Lubeguard , and used it in power steering pumps also. LOL,
DonW

 

[Glacier991]

I am going to go out on a limb here.... separator plate "cures" (bigger holes etc) are a good thing to do when appropriate... but.... They do NOT substitute for the shift kits, but are in addition to it. In fact in the A4LD, Transgo has you drill the sep plate anyway when you put in their kit! So it isn't necessarily an either/or situation. I have not rebuilt a 5R valve body (so take that to heart, I have been begging for one to play with), but I think I'd consider the TSB sep. plate AND a shift kit as both being worthwhile fixes each in their own right. If the shift kit had me drilling, I'd check the plate and compare. Make sense ? In other words DO the entire TSB AND add a shift kit is my thought.

 

[Eneurb]

Glacier, the big dogs at Ford have requested all those valve bodies I had to be returned. Sorry.

 

[Glacier991]

Eneurb - my little note in the above post wasn't aimed your way. I appreciate your even considering it, and I understand... Thanks for thinking of me though! (and rats)