I have a 1996 Ford Explorer that I bought a used 4r55e transmission. I saw this tranny in a wrecking yard, someone pulled the engine and the tranny was just hanging by the shift cable, so I grabbed it! I saw that it was possibly a rebuild because it had a new converter and the factory tags had been washed away. My old transmission had bad solenoids and this tranny was cheaper than buying new ones. I pulled the pan and welded in a drain plug (the pan was clean of metal or clutch material!). I installed a new filter and gasket, front and rear seals (old seals looked brand new!) and installed it in my truck. I patially drained the tourqe converter by turnning it upside-down in a bucket. I filled the transmission with 4 quarts of mercon fluid and 1 bottle of Lucas transmissin additive, and then started the engine. I then started to add the second 4 quart jug of mercon trans fluid and decided to check the fluid level. It was a tad overfull! I ran the trans through all the gears and it worked fine! It shifted through all gears while on jack stands. I then drained a little fluid out with my new drain plug and set the truck on the wheels, checked for leaks (a little fluid seeped out of the overflow vent), I cleand it up and went for a test drive! It backed up fine but NO DRIVE! I have NO forward gears at all! it worked fine on the stands! I also noticed a slight front pump whine ?? HELP! Could overfilling the transmission blow something out! could the thicker lucas additive make this problem worse?? Im STUCK!
I appreciate any and all coments or advice!
Thanks,
Richard
AKA Magick_Man

 

If it is full of fluid and still has no forward, its broke!

 

You THINK? I'm looking for someone that might be able to steer me in the direction of WHAT to look for when I tear into the tranny again next weekend..... I have the old trans if I need hard parts, Could it be a blockage?? If maybe something got in the conveter while at the junkyard?? a seal blown from too much pressure from overfilling??? The lucas additive, too thick-too cold??
Just looking for professional or experienced advice.

It WORKED fine when it was up on the jackstands... I cant figure-out WHAT happend??

Thanks,

Richard

 

This wouldnt of had anything to do with the fluid level or the additive.

If there is no forward engagement in any of the ranges, even manual2 or 1.

I would say that the problem is in the forward clutch.

I have seen the sealing rings on the forward drum wear down to almost nothing, I have seen the forward clutches burn or just loose there material, Ive seen the centersupport wear at the sealing ring area.

There are a few ways for this to fail, you wont know for sure unless you tear the trans just about all the way apart.

I would swap this valvebody off of this trans and install it on your old trans, especially if this is a 2wd truck.