Things that fall out of a 5R55E transmission and into the pan... What are these?

[Swampy1970]

I've been having some of the usual 2-3 gear transmission issues of a Sport Trac that I picked up a while ago and during a quick trans fluid change I discovered these little beasties sitting in the trans fluid pan.

A couple of hours in the official Ford manuals wasn't too informative either...

They're not magnetic, so I'm 'guessing' a high quality aluminum. The flash on the photos has great accentuated the appearence of a rough surface - they actually look very smooth and "machined."

I'm guessing at some point things will end in a very bad way if this mystery isn't solved but changing the OSS, changing the fluid and checking the torque on the valve body (a few loose bolts) improved matters alot - not entirely fixed (autoenginuity does report intermittant OSS issues with the corresponding flashing O/D Off light) but no Check Engine light. Shifts are way better too.

Anyone any idea?

Thanks in advance.

 

[2TimingTom]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258088

 

[sean99]

I'm guessing at some point things will end in a very bad way if this mystery isn't solved but changing the OSS, changing the fluid and checking the torque on the valve body (a few loose bolts) improved matters alot - not entirely fixed (autoenginuity does report intermittant OSS issues with the corresponding flashing O/D Off light) but no Check Engine light. Shifts are way better too.

Try a new bonded seperator plate. It was probably damaged due to the loose bolts. Add a drain plug too.

 

[Swampy1970]

Thanks for the quick replies

I'll go take a look at the old gasket from the pan and see if it was similar as the one posted but I can sleep a little easier all ready.

sean - they do a drain plug for the pan? Where? Sign me up already... LOL This was the first auto trans (apart from the Prius - but that has an eCVT and the change is more like a manual box) and it was the messiest thing I've done on a car by far in 15 years of wrenching. Whoever put those "idiot clips" for the "heat shield" between the exhaust and pan needs a special dunces hat...

I've got one on order - in addition to new solenoids, filter, fluids etc etc. I figured that it was bay area truck that'd never really been driven in heat and doesn't have a tow hitch... so it's probably on it's original fluid. Just wanted to check the bolts and put in some fresh stuff to get the old stuff out and given the new stuff time to freshen up the innards a bit. The whole underneath of the Sport Trac looks like it's been sporting mud for most of it's life...

 

[sean99]

Thanks for the quick replies

sean - they do a drain plug for the pan? Where? Sign me up already...

Its just a regular drain plug that is sold at most auto parts stores. Some people weld them in because of leaking issues. Mine is bolted on with a little rtv on the outside washer with no issue.
If you can find this guy he might have one