When to service 5r55E real world?

[nlove198]

Hello everyone!
I recently purchased an '02 XLT 2WD with 4.6 V8/auto. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190737

This X has 60K very loving miles on it, it is ultra clean inside and out. As a former service advisor for a Ford dealer from 85-91 the owners manual quickly became my new bahtroom book. I was suprised to learn the service interval on this tranny is now 100K. Now, as clean as this X is, I know the previous owner towed frequently. He ordered the tow package and USED it!

The reciever is well worn, and I can see where a brake was installed in the cabin. The tranny has no shift issues whatsoever. It seems to shift a little early 1-2, 2-3 but this may be my unfamiliararity with this tranny, and/or the 18" wheel/tire combo the dealer installed for me from an '07 Eddie conversion.

What bothers me is, I can't even check the condition of the tranny fluid from up top. How easy it used to be to pull the dipstick and look/smell/taste for an indication of what lies below.

My question is this, when should this tranny be serviced based on it's history?
Further, can a competent indie shop do it, without screwing things up?

This leads me to one other question about the wheel bearings. These are also a non-serviceable component, and one that has some history of failure on this model, should I do this now? Again, this X displays no bearing issues, steering or end play problems at all.

Thank you in advance for your input.
Gary

 

[Glacier991]

Gary... a fluid flush is in order. I'd change the fluid by flushing every 30-40K miles unless YOU also tow..... drop that by 10K if you do.

Any competent shop can handle this.

Make sure they use Mercon V or a full syn. The addition of a cooling fan on the trans cooler is never a bad idea if you tow or have hot temps.

 

[nlove198]

Thanks for your quick reply. I'll schedule a flush soon. Judging by your reply, is there no filter or screen to be replaced also?

When I think of a flush, I envision something akin to a cooling sytem flush.

A fan for the tranny cooler huh? There was a time when a seperate cooler for the tranny was bling enough. I don't tow, but hot weather is something we have plenty of in Texas.

I'll check into that, is the fan thermo controlled, or on FT with the key in the run position? I guess I need to make friends with my local truck/suv accy retailer now.