MRS,

One option you do have is to buy an upgraded complete valve body. There are at least a couple sponsors on this site or FordExplorerForums.com that sell these. IIRC, some FTE members did this for something in the $300-$400 range with happy results. Just an option to think about.

I am quite curious to see what resolves this issue.

CMOS

 

Well, DDCDave and MRStace, you're not alone, I've got all those same things, too on my '02.5 with ~120k on the trans.

MRS, how did it turn out, since your original posts were a long time ago?

Also, as I don't think there's anybody who does the Northland Trans (Servobore.com) repair around where I live, I've been looking into new/ reman transes and come across some confusion about what year of Gen3 explorers have what model trans.

So, in trying to figure out what might cross reference with mine, here's what I put together based on plugging through the alternatives on Jasper's website:
(they have a "notes" section that tells you what's on the tag/ label of the unit...)


Model Year | Engine~ | Drive | Jasper~ | Trans | Ford Part Number Code
___________|_________|_______|_StockNo_|__ID___|__ __________________________________________________ ____
2002 ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~RWD~ | 5621680 | 5R55W | 1L2P-AC,AD,AE; 1L2Z-AERM
. (before ~| V6-4.0L | ~4WD~ | 5621620 | 5R55W | 1L2P-BC,BD,BE,EA; 1L2Z-BERM
. 3/4/02)~ | V8-4.6L | ~RWD~ | 5621690 | 5R55W | 1L2P-CC,CD,CE; 1L2Z-CERM
. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~| V8-4.6L | ~4WD~ | 5621650 | 5R55W | 1L2P-DC,DD,DE,FA; 1L2Z-DERM
-----------|---------|-------|---------|-------|--------------------------------------------------------
2002 ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~RWD~ | 5622170 | 5R55S | 2L2P-AA; 2L2Z-AA
. (after ~ | V6-4.0L | ~4WD~ | 5622180 | 5R55S | 2L2P-BA; 2L2Z-BARM
. 3/4/02)~ | V8-4.6L | ~4WD~ | 5622190 | 5R55S | 2L2P-DA; 2L2Z-DARM
-----------|---------|-------|---------|-------|--------------------------------------------------------
2003 ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~RWD~ | 5622170 | 5R55S | 2L2P-AA; 2L2Z-AA
.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~4WD~ | 5622180 | 5R55S | 2L2P-BA; 2L2Z-BARM
. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~| V8-4.6L | ~RWD~ | 5622210 | 5R55S | 2L2P-CA; 2L2Z-CARM
.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ | V8-4.6L | ~4WD~ | 5622190 | 5R55S | 2L2P-DA; 2L2Z-DARM
-----------|---------|-------|---------|-------|--------------------------------------------------------
2004 ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~RWD~ | 5622740 | 5R55E | 4L2P-AB; 4L2Z-AB,ABRM; 6L2P-EA,EB,J; 6L2Z-EA,EB,J
.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~RWD~ | 5622740 | 5R55S | 4L2P-AB; 4L2Z-AB,ABRM; 6L2P-EA,EB,J; 6L2Z-EA,EB,J
. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~| V6-4.0L | ~4WD~ | 5622730 | 5R55S | 4L2P-BB; 4L2Z-BB,BBRM; 6L2P-FA,FB,FC,K; 6L2Z-FA,FB,FC,K
.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ | V6-4.0L | ~4WD~ | 5622750 | 5R55E | 4L5P-EA; 4L5Z-EA,EARM; 6L3P-EA,EC,K,Q; 6L5Z-EA,EC,K,Q
. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~| V8-4.6L | ~RWD~ | 5622860 | ~~?~~ | 4L2P-CB,CC; 4L2Z-CB; 6L2P-AG; 6L2Z-AG
.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ | V8-4.6L | ~4WD~ | 5622870 | ~~?~~ | 4L2P-DC; 4L2Z-DC; 6L2P-BH,BL; 6L2Z-BH,BL
-----------|---------|-------|---------|-------|--------------------------------------------------------

 

Just completed the repair to my Explorer yesterday. It is the 5R55W with a 4.0 V-6. It now shifts solidly through every gear and has the original valve body and solenoid pack. If I have other problems it will most likely be with the valve body, which is a heck of a lot easier than the servo bores.

 

How did you get the Jasper chart? I have a '98 that was flaring ("fixed" with a band adj and additive) and I'm looking into what further steps I can take to keep it in working order. It's a reman from Ford after the original trans broke up just inside my ESP.

 

85e150,

I see you fixed your tranny flaring with a band adjustment and additive. Could you tell that whole story in detail? And stupid question, but you do adjust the bands with the vehicle not running, right?

 

I have been looking into the problem on my 2002 EB for three years now. I will save you some time and money. The problem is a design flaw in the choice of materials used in the construction. The servo you replaced was the right place but the wrong part acording to what I have read. If you were to take the servo back out and checked the clearance between the rod and the case you would find the gap has worn beyond the original specification as the result of a hard steel shaft wearing on softer aluminum. I learned this at this forum. I believe it because a shop in Michigan has developed a fix for it. I sorry I dont have their information for you but I'm sure you can find it on this wonderful forum.
My story is this. I bought my EB with 85,000 miles and I noticed the "flair" from 1-2 getting worse. I also noticed that it wouldnt stay in 5th at highway speeds, it would slip to 4th crossing the line in the road. I took it to shops and they all said it will break the next day and we can rebuild it for you. Estimates ran from 2800.00 to 4500.00. What I know now is that they didnt have a clue as to what was wrong and I would have spent the money anad had the same problem. I have put 100,000 miles on the EB since Ive had it and never had it fixed. The trick is turn off the OD when you drive.This defeats the servo and the OD light wont flash. I lift on the gas to help it shift to second. I drive on the interstate fro the most part and at speed I dont have any issues, I get 17-19 mpg depending on the gas I use but thats not much differnt from what it was at 85,000 miles.
The problem I do run into is starting up a steep slope, I cant help it into 2nd so I start in 3rd. this transmission has a feature that keeps the trans in 3rd until you change the selector and after 20-25 mph its past the 2nd range, shift to D and I'm on my way. My anoiance threshold my be higher than other owners but with over 185,000 miles and my history of getting totaled by other drivers I cant see spending the money to have it fixed. I love this truck and I will buy another one but it will be a newer model that has the trans problem handled. I hope I have been helpful to you, like I said I have spent 3 years looking into this.

Good luck, Caber

 

Caber,

I have a 2005 Mounty 4.0L K with the 5R55S. I have the same issues with codes PO775, PO732 (2nd gear ratio manfunction), and PO735 (5th gear ratio malfunction) with a delayed shift from 1-2 and 4-5. With O/D off, I can manipulate the pedal and get it to shift into 2nd, but I have not been able to get it into 5th afetr highway speeds and O/D switched back on. I have 131,000 on it (all highway) and the problem just poped up. When cold there is a hydralic whine, but it quits after it warms up and only does it in 1st. The ford dealer gave me an estimate of $3700 for putting a rebuild in it, but they do not know if the ServoBore has been performed.

I am thinking about waiting after reading what you have experienced. Have you tightened the bands or done anything to help the tranny last? Did you do a flush or filter change?

Sure wish Ford would step up and admit they have a design screw up and provide a way to repair this short of having to remove the tranny and a rebuild. Everyone with common sense knows hardened stell will erode aluminum except the guys that designed this series of transmissions. They should realize that we expect better than that from them.

 

Despite the claim that this tranny does not ever need to be serviced, I bought a filter for mine... yet to install it. Warning to others, the tranny fluid is special stuff and costs about $5 a quart. Anyway, I was also thinking to tighten the bands while I was down there. Does anyone with serious tranny knowledge know if this is a winning idea or not?

I learned a long time ago with GM's, that sometimes if the tranny has never been touched, the last thing you want to do is go changing fluid and messing around in there. The GMs used to blow the tranny about 30 days after changing the fluid, and it truly was due to changing the fluid. Saw it happen many times. That's got me almost nervous about poking around in my Ford.

 

Since my last post I did tighen the bands on my 5R55W. This seemed to Help some. I am going to recheck the tourque on the stop nuts, now I get a hard enguagement on a down shift once in a while. I had the tranny back flushed with the BG system at 100K, didnt help much at all with the problem but gave me some peace of mind.
The whining while cold is a feature of most modern transmissions, it is some internal bypass to warm the fluid faster, consider that normal. As for getting 5th gear at highway speeds you have to turn off the OD lockout. If you dont see the RPM drop about 500 RPM then its slipped back into 4th. Mine at this point wont stay in 5th unless I'm coasting down hill, as soon as I add some power I get a shudder and then it drops to 4th. If I drive with the OD switch in normal position it shudders a lot so I keep it turned off. I have found rebuilt transmissions on ebay for as little as 1700.00 shipped, just look them up and call the numbers for the vendors. I like to talk to them to be sure they have the right part. If you call them they may do the update or may update for you. I'm thinking of having a local trns shop rebuild the one I have and do the update with the kit, that way I know it was done. What I would really like to know is can I install a later trans that doesnt have the issues that this one does. Reverse engeneering is nice but a used part that has been designed to work better has to be cheaper.
Good Luck,
Caber

 

Steve,
Check out this thread on exporerforum on band tightening Transmission Band Adjustment Specification Chart - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations

There is also plenty of discussion threads on this site of the pros and cons on AT Fluid flushing. I wish $5 per qt was all I was facing in expense.

Caber,
I live in Atlanta. Today I finally talked to a tranny shop that sounded like they knew what they were doing and would charge a reasonable price. The guy has rebuilt several 5R55xs and he has done the Servobore repair on all of them. He said that anything less would be a sham rebuild. He said the rebuild would be between $1400 to max of $1800, depending on worn parts. The shop is an ALTA member. The price and the fact that the shop knows to do the Sevobore is enough for me. I will be getting it repaired on Monday. If it weren't for the info from these forums, I would be paying too much and getting a tranny that would be giving me the same problems sooner rather than later.

Thanks and good luck,

 

Sorry, have not seen this one for a while. A shop did the adjustment, which I think was 2nd-3rd. Additive was Justice Brothers product, not sure which one.

That was a lot of help.....

 

I have the OD light blinking aswell. The DTC code was Solenoide D?

I am trying to buy a new solenoide and filter, are all the solenoides in the tranny the same? or are the more than one type? Also how do i know which is solenoide D?

Appart from the light the tranny doesnt seem to have any noticeable problems.

Thanks

RR

 

Sorry. I can't help with this one. I did not have this code. PM Brooklyn. He seems to be the most knowledgeable.

 

Guess what, you have the classic symptoms of the worn servo bore in the OD and the IM servos. The hardened shaft causes wear in the aluminum bore and two things happen. The design is such that the port when open pumps fluid into a cross bore in the rod and up throgh a bore in the rod to the back side of the piston where the pressure is intended to go. What happens with a worn bore is some of the fluid leaks past the rod and the wall of the bore to the back side of the piston causing back pressure. The majority of the loss is between the bottom end of the rod and bore and back into the resevoir. The final result is both of these take away pressure from the piston and it will no longer build up enough to properly engage the bands causing your issues.

I have designed and built a fix that does not require dropping the tranny! It involves replacing both servos with modified OEM parts. I have sold over 40 of these sets on ebay with 100% positive results. Takes about four hours to do with the right tools.

Check out my sight and or contact me directly.

Thanks Andy

Ford Mercury Explorer 5R55W 5R55S 5R55N Servo Fix - eBay (item 300393078419 end time Dec-29-10 09:57:58 PST)

 

Guess what, you have the classic symptoms of the worn servo bore in the OD and the IM servos. The hardened shaft causes wear in the aluminum bore and two things happen. The design is such that the port when open pumps fluid into a cross bore in the rod and up throgh a bore in the rod to the back side of the piston where the pressure is intended to go. What happens with a worn bore is some of the fluid leaks past the rod and the wall of the bore to the back side of the piston causing back pressure. The majority of the loss is between the bottom end of the rod and bore and back into the resevoir. The final result is both of these take away pressure from the piston and it will no longer build up enough to properly engage the bands causing your issues.

I have designed and built a fix that does not require dropping the tranny! It involves replacing both servos with modified OEM parts. I have sold over 40 of these sets on ebay with 100% positive results. Takes about four hours to do with the right tools.

Check out my sight and or contact me directly.

Thanks Andy

Ford Mercury Explorer 5R55W 5R55S 5R55N Servo Fix - eBay (item 300393078419 end time Dec-29-10 09:57:58 PST)
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