5R55E 1st - 2nd gear issue

[RedRanger2006]

The earlier versions of this trans suffered from what you are describing a lot, but that was mostly resolved by the time they got to 06, but it is still possible that is the issue you are having - the gasket on the valve body was not strong enough and it would blow out a spot that was related to providing the pressure needed to shift to 2nd gear. If you replaced the valve body (the gasket is glued to the valve body from the factory) right away as soon as you had the symptoms, you could save the trans, but most people lived with a mushy 1-2 shift until they just wore out the 2nd gear clutch/band so they needed a rebuild.

Soo are you saying you think my transmission is toast... :/ and no point in putting new o rings on the servo?

 

[RedRanger2006]

The earlier versions of this trans suffered from what you are describing a lot, but that was mostly resolved by the time they got to 06, but it is still possible that is the issue you are having - the gasket on the valve body was not strong enough and it would blow out a spot that was related to providing the pressure needed to shift to 2nd gear. If you replaced the valve body (the gasket is glued to the valve body from the factory) right away as soon as you had the symptoms, you could save the trans, but most people lived with a mushy 1-2 shift until they just wore out the 2nd gear clutch/band so they needed a rebuild.

I have put soo much work into this truck too get it too where it is at now, motor swap included, rebuilt rear end with 410's.. this is crushing my soul if you're saying it's likely toast...

 

[franklin2]

I have put soo much work into this truck too get it too where it is at now, motor swap included, rebuilt rear end with 410's.. this is crushing my soul if you're saying it's likely toast...

It sounds like a very minor intermittent problem. I would drive it till it got really bad. It may never get worse than it is and last the rest of the truck's life.

 

[RedRanger2006]

It sounds like a very minor intermittent problem. I would drive it till it got really bad. It may never get worse than it is and last the rest of the truck's life.

Well see my plan for the truck is too completely re do it over time, hence the motor swap, rebuilding the rear end, body work paint ect its in really good condition, I love this old truck and I want too try and keep er around, I've got a substantial amount of money into it, I just can't stand the 1-2 slop shift anymore and transmission is next on my to do list.

Yes/no.. on the overdrive servo rings and gasket?

 

[franklin2]

If it is some sealing rings or gaskets causing the problem, sorry to say all the seals and gaskets in the transmission are probably in the same shape. It's difficult to perform surgery on a auto transmission and be successful. It all tends to go downhill together. And any dirt or other type of failure tends to be circulated through the entire transmission also.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I always just accepted the sloppy shifting as part of the auto transmissions. Could something be worn/bad causing problems? Sure. Could it still last awhile? Hard to say.

I haven’t dug into a 5R55 yet. The only auto that I’ve torn into so far has been an A4LD. That one had issues. I decided to throw a new torque converter at it along with band adjustment, reverse servo O-rings and gasket, valve body mods and a shift kit, plus new filter and fluid. I got it about 90% (didn’t replace solenoids, didn’t manage to get the bands fully adjusted but I got them better, and I didn’t max out shift kit options). I had been concerned about the band media in the pan when I tore it apart.

I figured that if it didn’t work, the only thing that I would have to toss was the torque converter and some gaskets, the modified valve body could be moved to a good transmission after cleaning. I had a lot of people tell me not to touch the transmission and let it die naturally. I don’t regret my decision to push forward. It took awhile to burp out all of the air in the system after it, but I was so happy with the results (until someone passed a turning semi in the center turn lane to smack me) that I wouldn’t hesitate to try it again. Will it fix your problems? I don’t know. I’ve never tried it with your transmission yet. But I will say that I’m getting ready to do valve body and shift kit on my 4R70w in the near future. And I intend to go as full bore as I can with it. Plus I intend on recording all that I can about it.

 

[RedRanger2006]

If it is some sealing rings or gaskets causing the problem, sorry to say all the seals and gaskets in the transmission are probably in the same shape. It's difficult to perform surgery on a auto transmission and be successful. It all tends to go downhill together. And any dirt or other type of failure tends to be circulated through the entire transmission also.

I will add when I adjusted my overdrive band, the previous owner adjusted it and left it tight against the band... it didn't move much too torque down, then I backed it off 2 turns. I would assume from the previous owner or mechanic doing this it could have destroyed my overdrive band no?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I will add when I adjusted my overdrive band, the previous owner adjusted it and left it tight against the band... it didn't move much too torque down, then I backed it off 2 turns. I would assume from the previous owner or mechanic doing this it could have destroyed my overdrive band no?

Maybe, maybe not. Might have just put a lot of unnecessary wear on it if you’re lucky. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any real way to check on stuff like that unless it’s obvious broken without tearing the trans apart.

 

[RedRanger2006]

Maybe, maybe not. Might have just put a lot of unnecessary wear on it if you’re lucky. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any real way to check on stuff like that unless it’s obvious broken without tearing the trans apart.

Thanks brother, I appreciate the help think I may try and throw new gasket and o rings at the servo when I change the fluid and filter next just too see what happens, then likely get a shift right refresh kit for it and slowly work away at it.

 

[RedRanger2006]

Maybe, maybe not. Might have just put a lot of unnecessary wear on it if you’re lucky. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any real way to check on stuff like that unless it’s obvious broken without tearing the trans apart.

Any chance that it could be shift solenoid A is failing?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Any chance that it could be shift solenoid A is failing?

That… is unfortunately beyond my current knowledge. I have yet to really dive into diagnosing and repairing these. Currently I don’t have a garage to work in and I’m setting up an 8’x8’ shed as a mini shop because I’m tired of having nothing.

 

[RedRanger2006]

Update! Fixed the issue coincidentally, it made me so angry and happy all at the same time, I installed some Intake parts for a bit better flow, disconnected the battery for a re learn process, and low and behold the re learn fixed my 1st-2nd intermittent slip/hesitation issue I've been chasing for close to a year!!