03 F150 tranny problems
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03 F150 tranny problems
I was driving home the other day and heard grinding coming from the tranny area and losing power. Was able to drive it a few miles to home but it barely drives. Starts up with no problems and will go into reverse and drive with no problem but still grinds lowdly and has little power. Tranny fluid level was always full.
I'm good with mechanics but have never replaced a transmission nor torn one apart. I was planning on dropping the tranny and replacing it with one from a junk yard (I'm assuming that replacing the transmission is an obvious fix?).
I'm on a very tight budget but still want to do things right. I was hoping someone could give me some guidance: things to look for when I take the tranny out, certain seals that would need to be replaced when putting a used tranny in, etc. Also, if someone knows whats wrong with it already, would rebuilding it be an option for me? I have little/no experience with transmissions but am smart
and good with following directions. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
I'm good with mechanics but have never replaced a transmission nor torn one apart. I was planning on dropping the tranny and replacing it with one from a junk yard (I'm assuming that replacing the transmission is an obvious fix?).
I'm on a very tight budget but still want to do things right. I was hoping someone could give me some guidance: things to look for when I take the tranny out, certain seals that would need to be replaced when putting a used tranny in, etc. Also, if someone knows whats wrong with it already, would rebuilding it be an option for me? I have little/no experience with transmissions but am smart
and good with following directions. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
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From: Pelahatchie, MS
To me, it would be the obvious fix, and will likely be cheaper than a rebuild. Make sure you get a decent warranty, so shop around the junk yards. Make sure you get the torque converter. And make sure to replace the front and rear seals.
If it's a V8, you're going to have fits getting the top two transmission mounting bolts out of the bellhousing. Don't be surprised if you have to pull the intake manifold to get to them.
Is it a 4wd?
I'm sure someone else will chime in with some possible troubleshooting to do before a replacement. Did your OD light on your shifter ever start flashing?
If it's a V8, you're going to have fits getting the top two transmission mounting bolts out of the bellhousing. Don't be surprised if you have to pull the intake manifold to get to them.
Is it a 4wd?
I'm sure someone else will chime in with some possible troubleshooting to do before a replacement. Did your OD light on your shifter ever start flashing?
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To me, it would be the obvious fix, and will likely be cheaper than a rebuild. Make sure you get a decent warranty, so shop around the junk yards. Make sure you get the torque converter. And make sure to replace the front and rear seals.
If it's a V8, you're going to have fits getting the top two transmission mounting bolts out of the bellhousing. Don't be surprised if you have to pull the intake manifold to get to them.
Is it a 4wd?
I'm sure someone else will chime in with some possible troubleshooting to do before a replacement. Did your OD light on your shifter ever start flashing?
If it's a V8, you're going to have fits getting the top two transmission mounting bolts out of the bellhousing. Don't be surprised if you have to pull the intake manifold to get to them.
Is it a 4wd?
I'm sure someone else will chime in with some possible troubleshooting to do before a replacement. Did your OD light on your shifter ever start flashing?
I'm ready to buy a tranny very soon. found one for $500. 46k miles 90 day warranty. The truck was a rollover but was actually driven into the junk yard.
Pretty nervous on replacing this because its my daily driver and I've never done it. Any more info would be great. thanks!
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From: Pelahatchie, MS
Put the transfer case in neutral, put the transmission in drive, and see if it grinds. 33" tires wouldn't affect the transmission, I believe. People put 285's and 305's, also large tires, on these trucks all the time without regearing the diffs. It might rob you of some power/torque, but that's about it. My truck has 250K on it with 33" tires. The motor has been replaced, but the rest of the drivetrain is factory original.
That OD light flashing is a transmission code. Take it somewhere and have a scanner put on it before you buy another tranny. That code could tell you a lot.
If you proceed with the tranny swap, get a helper. You're gonna need it. Adding in the removal of the transfer case is gonna tag some time and labor to the project. When you get the transmission, replace any exterior seals you lay your eyes on, especially anything that will be hidden once it's installed.
That OD light flashing is a transmission code. Take it somewhere and have a scanner put on it before you buy another tranny. That code could tell you a lot.
If you proceed with the tranny swap, get a helper. You're gonna need it. Adding in the removal of the transfer case is gonna tag some time and labor to the project. When you get the transmission, replace any exterior seals you lay your eyes on, especially anything that will be hidden once it's installed.
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I put the truck on jack stands, started the car, and put it in drive. The sound seemed to come from both the tranny and transfer case but seemed louder from the start of the tranny. Once I removed the transfer case the grinding was still there and louder too. So the problem is definitely the transmission. I'm going to be buying the newer transmission and seals tomorrow.
...but... when rotating the shaft in the transfer case now (now removed) it feels rough and has a very mild sound of grinding, almost like brakes when the pads are too low. There is also mild play in the shaft when starting and stopping rotation. Is this normal? I know the main problem is the transmission but I was hoping my transfer case wasn't bad too. Any ideas on this?
...but... when rotating the shaft in the transfer case now (now removed) it feels rough and has a very mild sound of grinding, almost like brakes when the pads are too low. There is also mild play in the shaft when starting and stopping rotation. Is this normal? I know the main problem is the transmission but I was hoping my transfer case wasn't bad too. Any ideas on this?
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From: Pelahatchie, MS
I don't know much about transfer cases. Does it have plenty of fluid? You pull a lot of heavy loads with this truck?
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Just dropped the old tranny today. gonna throw in the newer one in the next couple days. New fluid and filter but gonna keep the same seals because I was told that the torque converter is a b**** to put back in place (its tied in with wire now and will be until its right up to the back of the engine block)
On a side note, its always felt really slow since I bought it a year ago. And the best mileage its gotten is 13mpg on the highway which seemed a little low to me. It's had a flowmaster exhaust, K&N air filter and a throttle body spacer since I bought it.
'03 F150 4.6L 4X4. 115K miles, extended cab, 33" tires with stock 3.55 gears
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From: Pelahatchie, MS
Is there any fluid collection in the bellhousing of the new tranny? You really don't want to install it with a leaky front seal. The torque converter slides on the shaft and you spin it until it finds its spot and seats. Seating it is easier than dropping the tranny. The tranny may have had some issues from the get go if it has felt really slow. With the weight of the drivetrain and the extended cab, though, that's a strain on the 4.6.
I'm just wondering if you've got a transfer case issue puttin' a strain on your tranny that may be the root problem.....
4x4, ext cab, big tires, and a 4.6 are not a good combo for fuel mileage. Unless you're really conscientious about your right foot, you're not gonna do real well in that department.
I'm just wondering if you've got a transfer case issue puttin' a strain on your tranny that may be the root problem.....
4x4, ext cab, big tires, and a 4.6 are not a good combo for fuel mileage. Unless you're really conscientious about your right foot, you're not gonna do real well in that department.
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hmmm... hoping it is not the transfer case too.
i can turn the old tranny easily with one hand but the transfer case takes two hands to turn. Do you happen to know anything about that? I'll see if i can find some other threads too. Thanks again!
i can turn the old tranny easily with one hand but the transfer case takes two hands to turn. Do you happen to know anything about that? I'll see if i can find some other threads too. Thanks again!
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