My moms 97 explorer 4.0 ohc AT w/ auto 4wd has been "acting up" and "making noises" "hard to get into reverse". She mentioned that it might have been slipping at highway speeds. When I stuck it in R it made a baseball card in spokes noise, the same as putting a moving car into park, didn't move and didn't seem to "enCLUNKgage" like the OD fords usually do. Park, neutral were good, powerbraked in D and seemed ok.

Using your ATF filled magic www8ball:
Is this catastrophic failure with bad hardparts? or simple rebuild?
How do I tell if this truck has the overdrive sensor?
Is this a good starter transmission to learn rebuilding?

Thanks in advance!

toast...either the reverse servo is crapped out...or its like every other ford auto and just puked its guts and needs rebuilt...

either way..its commin out..not the easiest to rebuild...

its got a VVS sensor for the overdrive..

its all electronic controled...

more than likely ist a 4r55e.. but could be a 5r55e (IIRC..and its been a while...the 5's came behing the v8's)

...or its like every other ford auto and just puked its guts and needs rebuilt...


That's what it sounds like to me, however I'm not familiar with the Ford tranny you have here.

Or it could be something as simple as a the shift linkage not fully engaging the rail. I had an E40D make a chatter like that...but there was just slop in the linkage. But, since slip is occurring, it sounds more involved....i.e. $$$$.

Before you give up and rebuild it....have you checked the ATF level? What about changing the fluid and then seeing if you can produce a repeat performance?

Its a 4r55e and not a simple rebuild at all. Its basically a electronic A4ld. There are 3 or 4 special seal installer tools you NEED other wise you'll never get it back together.

With the no reverse I'd say the band broke, i think every exploror that i work on breaks the band and loses reverse. But usually it also needs many hard parts, the shell and drum is always worn out, sometimes the pump is also worn out.

If you do try it you need to inspect all the hardparts and look for any where, i would also install Transgo's shift kit as well. Get a new converter and master overhaul kit. CLean Clean Clean is the key to having auto's work after you take them apart.

And another thing to consider is the explorers's are a pain in the ass to pull, so just be ready to take it back out a couple times.

Brendan

Its a 4r55e and not a simple rebuild at all. Its basically a electronic A4ld. There are 3 or 4 special seal installer tools you NEED other wise you'll never get it back together.

With the no reverse I'd say the band broke, i think every exploror that i work on breaks the band and loses reverse. But usually it also needs many hard parts, the shell and drum is always worn out, sometimes the pump is also worn out.

If you do try it you need to inspect all the hardparts and look for any where, i would also install Transgo's shift kit as well. Get a new converter and master overhaul kit. CLean Clean Clean is the key to having auto's work after you take them apart.

And another thing to consider is the explorers's are a pain in the ass to pull, so just be ready to take it back out a couple times.

Brendan

a set of pacesetter headers help (removing the cross tube makes it alot nicer)

get a new converter...I didnt..and then had to get it ALL over again once the new tranny crapped out..

its a cable operated lever..not too much adjustment..
have fun!!

toast.....its like every other ford auto and just puked its guts and needs rebuilt...

Yep...POS Ford AT overdrive tranny. :mad3: Good luck.

:nuke:.

I admit I did not check the fluid level or condition, due to forward gears working great, and of course laziness :homer: I will check the linkage adjustment.

How expensive are these special tools? It may be worth my while to spend $100.

I might just buy a salvage trans and save the self abuse for a later date.

Not a good first timer transmission i would suggest you check the linkage and if thats not the problem look for a low miles used one if the one you have gets to be too much of a falure, i just had mine rebuilt for my explorer 4r55e and it ran me $1300 with a buddy deal. But then again mine lasted 243000 mile and when it went, whoooo boy every thing have to be replace....

Not a good first timer transmission i would suggest you check the linkage and if thats not the problem look for a low miles used one......

X2...blown my third A4LD last week...the Ford AT OD transmissions are notoriously week. If ya get a used one make sure the fluid is good and miles are low.

X2...blown my third A4LD last week...the Ford AT OD transmissions are notoriously week. If ya get a used one make sure the fluid is good and miles are low.

If I didn't care so much about fuel economy....I'd retro a C6 into my 98 F150. My dad put a C6 into one of his company's work vans (92 E350) and never looked back. IIRC, I think that vans clutch pack kept wearing out.

Do a 5-speed swap! Better mileage and power...just harder to drink coffee and drive at the same time. :)