Tranny service or new trans?

[jamie8470]

My truck has 167,000 miles on it and the 5R55S transmission has never been replaced. Fluid appears to have been kept up on, with the last change being done at 142,716. So far it has no issues except shifting a little bit hard and a very slight delay shifting into reverse on occasion.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth getting a tranny service or should I just wait for it to blow and get a new trans? I should tell them not to flush it, just replace it right? How often do you guys do your trans fluid?

Thanks

 

[mountaineer2004]

Service this old transmission (fluid and filter), but do not flush it, as that will inevitably cause more problems.

With my old transmission, I did nothing except change filter and fluid at 100k and 200k.

Although it didn't shift well for a long time, and made clunking noises, it lasted till I preemptively got a reman at 263k.

But to answer your question, change it every 50k and hope for the best...nothing is guaranteed in this life.

 

[BKennedy]

I wouldn't replace a transmission just because. I would take it to a reputable transmission shop and see if they can fix the shifting issue. Changing the fluid and hoping for the best is horrible advise. It might be something simple. Hard shifting puts much more wear on components and could cause failure if ignored.

 

[mountaineer2004]

Ignore my advice...the master has spoken.

 

[jamie8470]

Lol alright then

I think I'll just roll with it for awhile then and get the fluid done at 190,000. The hard shifting is really only bad when going uphill.

 

[Mbrooks420]

So, you’re just going to ignore it for 30k? I’m sure it’ll improve with age.

I’d start saving for the rebuild now.

 

[jamie8470]

So, you’re just going to ignore it for 30k? I’m sure it’ll improve with age.

I’d start saving for the rebuild now.

Well I that's inevitable either way.

Only question is if/when to get it serviced and if 50k intervals is right then I'm good for 30k

 

[BKennedy]

If you don't plan on having the trans checked for the hard shifts, then why bother changing the fluid? I don't understand the 'there's something wrong but I'll keep driving it until I have to pay thousands instead of maybe a few hundred' approach.

Yes, these transmissions are prone to failure. However, I know people who have gotten 200,000 or more out of them with fixing small issues and regular maintenance.

My transmission guy recommends changing the fluid every 40,000 on every trans, but as he says "only on the transmissions you want to keep".

 

[jamie8470]

If you don't plan on having the trans checked for the hard shifts, then why bother changing the fluid? I don't understand the 'there's something wrong but I'll keep driving it until I have to pay thousands instead of maybe a few hundred' approach.

Yes, these transmissions are prone to failure. However, I know people who have gotten 200,000 or more out of them with fixing small issues and regular maintenance.

My transmission guy recommends changing the fluid every 40,000 on every trans, but as he says "only on the transmissions you want to keep".

The thing is that it hasn't gotten any worse in the 10k I have driven it. Since I will be close to 200k by the time it's due for service anyway, I'm just wondering if I should even bother. A couple hundred plus a couple thousand or just a couple hundred if you see what I mean.

Assuming it doesn't get any worse, now I'm thinking I will do service at 180,000 and just hope it lasts good while longer.

 

[Stynx]

If you don't plan on having the trans checked for the hard shifts, then why bother changing the fluid? I don't understand the 'there's something wrong but I'll keep driving it until I have to pay thousands instead of maybe a few hundred' approach.

Yes, these transmissions are prone to failure. However, I know people who have gotten 200,000 or more out of them with fixing small issues and regular maintenance.

My transmission guy recommends changing the fluid every 40,000 on every trans, but as he says "only on the transmissions you want to keep".

I bought a maverick and the owner's manual recommends 60k unless you have severe driving conditions like towing a lot in which case it's 30k. Guess what also qualifies as "severe"? Frequent stop and go driving. Guess what I do 90% of the time?

There has never been a mechanical device that didn't like fresh clean lubricant.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The book is just to get you to do a few services before it’s out of warranty. Your book also says the rear axle fluid is “lifetime fluid”. If it’s not shifting right it’s time to service it, not when it hits a completely arbitrary mileage.

 

[jamie8470]

Another thing that just occured to me is how expensive/difficult would a manual trans swap in be?
I know some people have done this, just wondering about cost. Do you guys happen to know?
I like driving stick!

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Ignore my advice...the master has spoken.

 

[Josh P]

Another thing that just occured to me is how expensive/difficult would a manual trans swap in be?
I know some people have done this, just wondering about cost. Do you guys happen to know?
I like driving stick!

I've done 3 manual transmission swaps on 3 Aerostar vans and the most expensive one was $1,000. I think you could do the swap for around that much if you shop around for good deals on the items you need.

 

[jamie8470]

OK, so now it no longer has a delay shifting into reverse but instead it has a delay shifting into drive!!
I think maybe the cold is affecting it and it only happens the first time shifting into drive after starting up the truck.

I've searched around and I'm wondering if this sounds like an EPC solenoid problem?

 

[410Fortune]

It sounds like a low fluid issue

If you had a epc solenoid issue you would likely have a transmission trouble code or pending code

You may try pulling codes see if any exist

Changing fluid and filter is not going to fix a delayed shifting issue unless you are currently low on fluid

Converting a late model to manual trans is far more difficult, first you would have to be able to get a clutch pedal and hydraulics and I am not sure these models ever had a third pedal? Maybe one from f150 would work? That is the first place to start. Second would be selecting a trans that
Bolts up? Again f150 likely donor then you have to physically do the conversion make driveshafts etc, modify the nss and reverse light wiring then get the computer tuned to forget about the auto trans and still run the engine.

Has anyone ever done this to a 02-05?

 

[jamie8470]

It sounds like a low fluid issue

If you had a epc solenoid issue you would likely have a transmission trouble code or pending code

You may try pulling codes see if any exist

Changing fluid and filter is not going to fix a delayed shifting issue unless you are currently low on fluid

Converting a late model to manual trans is far more difficult, first you would have to be able to get a clutch pedal and hydraulics and I am not sure these models ever had a third pedal? Maybe one from f150 would work? That is the first place to start. Second would be selecting a trans that
Bolts up? Again f150 likely donor then you have to physically do the conversion make driveshafts etc, modify the nss and reverse light wiring then get the computer tuned to forget about the auto trans and still run the engine.

Has anyone ever done this to a 02-05?

Hmm ok, I'll get the fluid changed next time I take her in and see what happens. I have no codes.

Unless I'm mistaken there were actually a few 02 explorers that had a manual transmission! Finding one and getting things put together would probably be a fair bit beyond me, but it'd be cool to know if it's possible

 

[410Fortune]

02 sport and 02 sport trac yes, gen iii explorer 02-05 truck with the sohc and 4.6 I am not sure?

I found the answer here on ef

2002 only and xls model

Third Gen w/ Manual Trans

Does anyone have a third gen X w/ a manual trans? I've read that Ford offered the M5OD in the 4 door 2002 explorers, but for the life of me i cannot find one out there with it! I'm looking for pictures of the interior with a manual, thoughts on the M5OD etc. I'd love to have a manual in my...

www.explorerforum.com

Not very many!!!

Rockauto shows the manual transmission available in 2002 models with sohc engine only, it’s called the m5r4

Interesting I have never heard of this before!!! Would be a cool truck to own

 

[Josh P]

You don't want the M5R4. It's got unique parts that are hard to find.