Tranny is shot - rebuild or replace?

[96eb96]

Did you get the tranny flushed and filter changed on time like you were supposed to?
Owners manual calls for every 30,000 miles. With Amsoil syn, you can go to about 60-80k. But these trannys need the junk flushed out of them. I have an 02 with 190k on it. Still the first tranmission. Second solenoid bank. Been flushed 4 times. Filter changed twice. I run Amsoil throughout the vehicle.
You have to take care of your car in order for it to take care of you. The tranny is the most overlooked item on a vehicle. Unfortunately by the time you know there is a problem, it is too late for PM (Preventitive Maintenance) to do you much good.

D

Arent they sealed and specified 100K mile interval units with normal service . That is crazy.

Look at any car complaints site, 02-04 explorer trans is like the #1 failure of any car on the road. Thats what happens when you put a pinto trans behind a v8 and remove the dipstick. I bet ford lost many customers over that.

 

[lhsbearcat64]

tranny rebuild

I had an 02 Ex with the same problems as described here and wound up having it rebuilt at 65,000 miles. There is an excellent rebuilder in our town who took the time to diagnose the real problem with the tranny, and then persevered with the repair. I haven't seen it discussed here before, but the major problems come about because the aluminum case is too soft, and the solenoids wear away material over time. After the holes in the case become enlarged, then the solenoids slip around and can't operate properly. Mine was bored out, bushings installed, solenoids replaced and everything worked great afterward. Replacing the transmission doesn't fix the real problem: the aluminum is too soft. That's the same reason, or so I've been told, that the pinion bearing in the aluminum differential housing gives problems. Ford wouldn't admit the problem, and chose to do replacements rather than repairs. That's just my personal experience with it...and, by the way, the Ex was traded a few months ago for a Totota Highlander (wife's vehicle) and she couldn't be happier. The Ex rode and drove great, but it just became a money pit.

 

[Razzierb]

Arent they sealed and specified 100K mile interval units with normal service . That is crazy.

I bet ford lost many customers over that.

Yep ... when I went to the dealer at 30K to have my 05 fluid & filter replaced, the tech reminded me about the advertised 100K claim. Totally bogus approach to setting up a trans. How does not having a simple way to observe / smell or check the trans fluid level make any sense ??

 

[daveleeander]

Yes they are sealed, no the 02 does not have a 100k life.
I lost the solenoids at 65k, and replaced them myself with a block I bought off this site. I now have 190k, and no other problems. I do flush the system as I said before, I just extend the interval because I use Amsoil Syn.. My tranny also runs around 12 deg. F cooler on long trips I make regularly with the Amsoil vs. Ford oil. Cooler is a trannys friend. So is service and upkeep.

Many people had trannys replaced that just needed a solenoid block.

Dave