Transmission shift issues

[Lefy]

Ive got a
1998 Sport 4x4 with the 5R55E auto
178000 miles
about 2.5 years ago it had a transmission rebuild when the it would stall when put into gear. that was resolved

It drives fine when cold but when running into dunkin donuts the other day, I got back into it with my coffe and the trans starts acting up.
it seems to not want to shift into what I believe would be 2nd gear from 1st gear. this occurs between 20-30 mph.
I believe thats the 1st to 2nd shift point
the tranny doesn't shift up and the revs increase to about 3-4k then when I let off the gas it shifts up but seems to stumble/slip on engagement for a second before it meshes.
then the other shifts seem to go fine at highway speeds.

until after about 20 minutes of freeway driving when I notice that the revs are off compared to the speed I'm going.
the revs are fluctuating between about 3k and 22k at 60-65mph on flat roadway
It seems like even though I have the overdrive button on.
the trans is clicking the od on and off (but no light) it feels like it's slipping.
so I turn the overdrive off on the column shifter. and the revs stablize at 3k and it drives normally. No fluctuation.

I've read alot on the 2nd-3rd shift flair. which I don't believe it my problem.
I'm thinking I have an OD band adjustment issue.
as well as should change the ESP and rebuilt the VB
What do you guys think Glacier/ Brooklyn Bay?

Where are the band adjustment screws located on the 5R55E transmission?
I also need to attain an Inch pound torque wrench

last I was looking into Shift Kits to install. Do these look decent?
TransGo:
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/FORD_4R44E_4R55E_5R55E_SHIFT_KIT_p/500-000023935.htm
or this
http://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=OPTI&Category_Code=4R44E

THanks for any info and help

 

[BrooklynBay]

Those 2 kits should be good. The band adjustments are on the driver's side. It's the same side as on the A4LD. I would also recommend replacing the EPC solenoid, boost valve, and the end plugs with the O ring design. Check the valve body with a straight edge to see if it's warped.

 

[Lefy]

the valve body is straight.
the separator plate didn't look like it was ford original It had a transtec brand on it.
with the valve body facing the way it would sit in the truck. the top of the separator plate had the transtec gasket which was torn. it may have happened when I was removing it as it was tight quarters. the gasket on the bottom of the separator plate is in good condition. Where could I find these gaskets so I can replace the torn one

I was wondering if I should go with the EPC soloniod from ford or one I found on at http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=230%2D00023399A&CartID=3 for 98 dollars is it the same thing? as what ford wants 150 for.

is this the sonnax boost valve I need
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=400%2D03794701K&CartID=1

I'm not sure what other solenoids I need??
there are Torque Convertor Solenoids
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=230%2D00023391C&CartID=4
as well as shift and coast solenoids
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=609%2D00056841U&CartID=2
and then just shift solenoids
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=230%2D00023393B&CartID=5

I'm also going to get a Drain plug kit to make it so I don't have to enjoy Another ATF shower if this doesn't fix my problem
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=002%2D0000T3020&CartID=6

end plugs with the O ring design? Where would I get these??
Thanks for any help

 

[Lefy]

I think I found the end plug kit
http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/4R44E_5R55E_Valve_end_plug_kit_p/400-03794713k.htm

I ordered a
EPC solenoid
End plug kit
Transgo shift kit
sonnax boost valve
Drain plug kit

this should do the job

is there a way to test the other shift solenoids and the torque converter solenoid?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The EPC, and TCC solenoids are modulated, and require special testing tools in order for them to run through various stages.

 

[Lefy]

just rebuilt the valve body with the transgo kit and epc and boost valve when I finished before putting fuild in the trans
I tried adjusting the front band the over drive band.
It kept spinning and did not tighten to 120 in lbs..
I'm guessing its Broken but I did not find any parts in the the pan.
What can I do ?? can the band fall off of out of place??
can the adjuster fall out of position if i back the adjuster out too far??
I did this before tightening it

The intermediate band adjuster was really stuck so I hit it with pb blaster and will mess with it tomorrow. as it was too dark to work anymore

 

[BrooklynBay]

The adjuster could fall out if it's backed out too far. It could be reinstalled from underneath, but it's a little tricky.

 

[Lefy]

I will check tomorrrow for the adjusters

 

[Lefy]

Good news tried readjusting the studs and it tightened..
the intermediate band loosened itself thanks to pb blaster. and it was adjusted after alittle fiddleing
filled up the the trans took 8 quarts mobil 1 synthentic mercon V
crossed myself and took her for a spin
shifting good and firm
smoke billowing from the exhaust/cats
but all seems well
thanks for your help Brooklyn
I'd like to meet up buy you lunch or something you saved me a bunch..
Thank you... your advise was very valuable

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update, and the offer for lunch. You live kind of far from me, so I appreciate the offer anyway. The main thing is that you managed to fix it on your own without having to pay a hefty price for a shop to say that you need a rebuild.

 

[05warrior]

I think this thread would be a good sticky. I spent days slogging through the stickies trying to get the information covered in this short thread; i.e., what do I need to do to refit my tranny with a decent shift kit and new solenoids. ...at any rate, I'm still bookmarking it.