Will the Superior Kit Cure 5R55E Shifting Problems?

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

5R55E Kit
This kit is supposed to cure many ills of the 5R55E. Has anyone tried this kit, or have any opinions on it? I'm trying to get rid of a flair/sliding 1-2 shift on mine.
Thanks.
Don

 

[have2goski]

i have a superior kit in my A4LD.

personally i beleive that these kits are more for improving an already solid tranny. rather than fixing a problematic one.

i mean if your tranny is slipping now b/c of worn parts or something. i can't see how adding this kit would magically make the worn parts like new.

now if you replaced the worn parts or whatever is "causing" the probelm and then added the kit while you were in there for good measure......smiles should be coming your way.

but without at least inspecting the parts that are worn or finding the root cause, there is no way to tell if any add on will help or not.

its kind like my old roomate said.....you can put deodorant on a pile of s**t but chances are pretty good it is still gonna smell like a pile of s**t

these are just my opinions and others may have different veiws so beleive whomever you want.

 

[jobunn]

I didn't know this existed! The description sure makes it sound like it will fix those problems. Have you called for a price? or what parts are changed with the kit? How much to install?

 

[Glacier991]

To the extent these problems are due to fluid pressure and valve body issues, the kit will in all liklihood fix the problem. To the extent they are related to other potential problems, maybe not. I think the Superior kit appears, on the table, (with a trans apart and looking at the kit parts as we speak) to have some solid engineering behind it. I'd think if you have the time and the inclination to drop the valve body, it may be worth your while to give it a try. I mean if you plan to keep the vehicle, and it doesn't fix the problem, when you rebuild you will have incorporated the Superior kit changes. Sorry this seems rambling, but in the end, I'd say give it a shot.

 

[Opera House]

With just a quick look, it looks like you are getting new servo springs (blue), the low/reverse O ring, valve body spool, and a bunch of clutch springs (black). The last, you will need to tear the transmission apart to install. The OD and intermediate springs may or may not help the second flair. The little black springs will be of no use unless you pull the transmission. A grab bag of parts you may not use.

 

[jobunn]

Originally posted by Opera House
With just a quick look, it looks like you are getting new servo springs (blue), the low/reverse O ring, valve body spool, and a bunch of clutch springs (black). The last, you will need to tear the transmission apart to install. The OD and intermediate springs may or may not help the second flair. The little black springs will be of no use unless you pull the transmission. A grab bag of parts you may not use.

So it would be a nightmare to do yourself (most people) or as much as a full rebuild in labor at a shop?

 

[Glacier991]

After reading Opera House's post I actually went to the Superior website and LOOKED at the kit. It's not the same as the A4LD kit, which I mistakenly assumed it was. I think I'd go with his suggestion. (The A4LD kit specifically addresses the concerns you noted for your 5R.)

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Thanks for the replies. The kit pricing was only $34 so I ordered one. I also have a lazy reverse, so maybe the new reverse servo O-ring will help this. I also have a new EPC solenoid which I'll install.

How hard are the servo springs to install? Can I push in by hand to remove the snap ring, or do I need the special holding tool?

Opera House, if those black things are indeed clutch springs, they will be sitting on the garage shelf for awhile.....

Have2goski, were you having shifting problems when you installed the Superior kit?

Thanks again.
Don

 

[Glacier991]

I have only done ONE A4LD and the intermed and OD servo springs were not all that much of a problem on disasembly, not even strong enough to push the covers off with the retainers removed. Check out the thread on "MY A4LD Diary" - on that aspect if you plan to remove the sevo cover. Doing it IN the car though means dropping the exhaust and cat to get at them. THAT is the tough part methinks. CLEAN the area around the covers good first too.... If you meant the Low/reverso servo, that spring is a weenie. NO problem.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Glacier, thanks for the info. Yeah, the exhaust will be a bear; hasn't been off since new.

I'm following your a4ld diary. Excellent text and pictures!