Hard downshift from overdrive
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Hard downshift from overdrive
2000 5.4 4x4. 104k miles. Extended cab. Heres the issue, when youre at that spot on a slight upgrade and the tranny should down shift out of overdrive it will downshift kinda hard. Sometimes it does this and sometimes it wont. Its driving me nuts. I thought maybe change the fluid and filter and see what happens, but a tranny guy that I dont know from the other guy said dont waste your money its more than likely a broken spring behind a piston( blah, blah) 
cost you roughly $1500 to fix. Anybody ever had this issue or something similar? I put a new motor in this truck about 10k ago so I can wrench. It did this before the motor swap too.
cost you roughly $1500 to fix. Anybody ever had this issue or something similar? I put a new motor in this truck about 10k ago so I can wrench. It did this before the motor swap too.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2007
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change the fluid would be a good way to start but if its never been changed and it burnt and just garbage dont change it if you do it well just do more harm
if its still good fluid you can chage it what ever it wont hurt but like i said start there and then go up
im not sure but wouldnt the O/D light come on if something was really wrong?
somebody with more experience can chime in!
if its still good fluid you can chage it what ever it wont hurt but like i said start there and then go up
im not sure but wouldnt the O/D light come on if something was really wrong?
somebody with more experience can chime in!
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
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My vote is also a broken spring in the valve body.
The trans is operated from the computer by operating electric valves.
They change fluid routing to effect the operation the computer decide to apply.
A spring being broken applies less tension on it's shuttle valve and causes an uncontrolled rise in pressure application to the servo.
This bang in a shft that is harsh.
Usually won't cause a problem but the rough shift you feel.
The pan has to be removed and the valve body taken down for inspection to find the spring causing the issue.
A good trans man knows what springs to look at for the peticular shift problem.
If you just replaced the motor, I think it's wise to fix the trans as well.
I would not think it is a $1500 job but!!!!!
Good luck.
The trans is operated from the computer by operating electric valves.
They change fluid routing to effect the operation the computer decide to apply.
A spring being broken applies less tension on it's shuttle valve and causes an uncontrolled rise in pressure application to the servo.
This bang in a shft that is harsh.
Usually won't cause a problem but the rough shift you feel.
The pan has to be removed and the valve body taken down for inspection to find the spring causing the issue.
A good trans man knows what springs to look at for the peticular shift problem.
If you just replaced the motor, I think it's wise to fix the trans as well.
I would not think it is a $1500 job but!!!!!
Good luck.
New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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what trans is it? 4r70w or e4od? 2x2 or 4x4 it all makes a difference! could be a broken spring like bluegrass says or a broken accumulator spring or a sticking shift valve and the list goes on. did the truck run hot? is that why you had to change the motor? the trans cooler is in the radiator.is it a harsh down shift into first? maybe your low roller clutch is bad. info man info! thats what us blah blah tranmission guys need.
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blah blah tranny guys are helpful though. 
Its the r70 I think. Has the square looking pan. It doesnt do this hard down shift all the time though. Sometimes if your going up a hill and it downshifts on its own without putting your foot into it it will shift hard and sometimes it wont. If you put your foot into it a little, it again, does it sometimes but not always. Its 4x4 with the 5.4. Would taking the valve body down to find the spring be something I wouldnt want to get into, or is it doable for a novice wrench? Thanks for all the replys
Its the r70 I think. Has the square looking pan. It doesnt do this hard down shift all the time though. Sometimes if your going up a hill and it downshifts on its own without putting your foot into it it will shift hard and sometimes it wont. If you put your foot into it a little, it again, does it sometimes but not always. Its 4x4 with the 5.4. Would taking the valve body down to find the spring be something I wouldnt want to get into, or is it doable for a novice wrench? Thanks for all the replys
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Going up a hill at 55 mph and trying to maintain 55 mph when it downshifts. All the other shifts are fine.
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Hi, did this get resolved? I've got pretty much the same issue with my 2001. The other strange thing I'll add: if I manually shift down (hit the button to turn off OD) it seems to shift fine. It only seems to do the hard shift if it's trying to maintain speed going up a grade or if I give it just barely enough gas to downshift. It's like there's a pause or slip between gears. The RPMs go up for a moment, then when it "connects" there's the loud thud.
Thanks!
2001 5.4 4WD
Thanks!
2001 5.4 4WD
Last edited by vgavagan; Aug 29, 2014 at 09:33 AM. Reason: forgot truck details
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Heyy guys I have the exact same shift issue with my 2000 ford f 150 5.4 L as well and I too am wondering does anyone know what to look for after dropping the pan and fluid and all. I take very good care of this thing transfluid every 30 thousand filter etc. I could really use some help from anyone . I hate driving the highway and it shiftingdown from O.D. like that scares me ssomething is wrong.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2022
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2000 5.4 4x4. 104k miles. Extended cab. Heres the issue, when youre at that spot on a slight upgrade and the tranny should down shift out of overdrive it will downshift kinda hard. Sometimes it does this and sometimes it wont. Its driving me nuts. I thought maybe change the fluid and filter and see what happens, but a tranny guy that I dont know from the other guy said dont waste your money its more than likely a broken spring behind a piston( blah, blah) cost you roughly $1500 to fix. Anybody ever had this issue or something similar? I put a new motor in this truck about 10k ago so I can wrench. It did this before the motor swap too.
cost you roughly $1500 to fix. Anybody ever had this issue or something similar? I put a new motor in this truck about 10k ago so I can wrench. It did this before the motor swap too.
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