Transmission Problems!

[shakenbake75]

First, I would like to say thank you to all the members for the detail oriented posts that I have googled in the past and have allowed me the information to fix my minor explorer problems in the past! I have a 2001 ford explorer sport that is lifted 8-inches in the front and 6-inches in the back, with a 2-inch body lift. To compliment the lift I have added 35" tires on american weld rims. Needless to say I love my truck!

I recently was driving in an intersection and had the same problem I frequently have with the light not turning to green due to the lift being so high, the road magnets(thats what I think they are) don't recognize my vehicle being there, so I switched gear into reverse and was going to switch lanes to pull a U-turn to get to my destination, In doing so I heard a loud thud. (I thought I had hit somebody, very relieved that I didn't) Along with the thud the reverse stopped working. My reverse simply rev's the engine as if it were in neutral. I later drove it down the street doing about 25mph and put it in 1st gear to see the reaction, the explorer continued to go the same speed with out the transmission slowing it down like it usually would. Other than reverse there are no problems with the transmission(that I know of) and it drives perfectly normal. I first took it to a tranny shop to get a quote and they said that it would require a total transmission remanufacture for 2200$. After hearing that, I called a friend who is a mechanic for ford to get a second opinion and he came over and took a look. His conclusion is that it is the reverse solenoid. Being a college student I don't have the endless funds to get the transmission remanufactured like originally recommended, but if need be I will. Also my friend said that this is something I could do myself. I'm not Gods gift to cars but I know enough to get the job done. I'm hoping my friend is right, and first need to know what the exact part is that I will need? Also is this a job I can do myself or would you recommend getting it professionally done?

p.s. I rebuilt the tranny at 45,000 miles through aamco and my vehicle currently has 80,000 miles on it.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome aboard and that sux u got transmission problems and u got pics of ur sport

 

[shakenbake75]

Thanks! Its does suck, one of my buddys suggested trading it in to get a new truck and that was followed by a quick "HELL NO!". Hopefully this pic works, I had a bunch more but got a new laptop and this is the only one I have on here so far.

 

[shakenbake75]

I thought I would do a follow up after all is said and done. I took off the tranny pan and then removed the reverse piston. I carefully inspected it but it appeared to be in perfect shape, as well as the seals and the rings. then I took a long screw driver and poked up the shaft and felt that there was no bounce back from the reverse clutch band and at that point knew what the problem was. Unfortunately the fix required a total rebuild all for a 40$ part.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Those bands have a lot of beef on them compared to the other two. I'm surprised that it broke. Which shop rebuilt it, and what kind of warranty did they give you?

 

[jaypenczar]

Shakenbake, I too am having the same problem you first described... sometimes, my reverse engages, sometimes it doesn't.... did you end up repairing the band and/or solenoid? what did you have to do to get to the band?

 

[shakenbake75]

I don't think it would be the clutch band for you if it still engages sometimes, however, Im not a mechanic so its hard to say. My friend whose a transmission tech first guessed on mine that it potentially needed a new tranny seal kit so maybe thats the problem with yours. If it were the clutch band it wouldnt engage at all. I ended up having the whole tranny rebuilt for the reverse clutch band that is only a $40 part, it has to be totally taken apart due to the positioning of it, you cant access it without dropping the whole deal. Total pain in the butt! Hope this helps, feel free to post anymore questions.

 

[springer275]

hey

I bought a set of shop manuals and they have that symptom listed in the manuals and what needs replaced. I picked mine up on ebay ....... I will look it up tonight.