5R55E Bonded separator plate experience, recent.

[Mister G]

My 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 4WD with 4.0L SOHC engine and 5R55E transmission was having issues. I removed the pan and noticed the upper separator plate gasket had blown out in the reverse servo area. I took the valve body off and it turned out my Edge had the parts that would be replaced when performing TSB 03-22-10. My truck was built prior to the factory upgrade date of 12/01/2002, so it should not have come from Ford this way. Anyway, the valve body gaskets were not bonded to the plate (any more), but you could see where they once were. They are stuck like heck to the transmission and the valve body though. Just wanted to pass on the experience that the bonded separator plate is apparently not the cure all, and even if your truck came with the upgrade, it is still possible to have issues with the gaskets blowing out. Both upper and lower gaskets were entirely NOT stuck to the separator plate, as they should have been, but are very stuck to the trans and valve body. Any suggestions for getting the gaskets removed (chemicals, etc). I bought a plastic scraper, I'm afraid to use a metal scraper on the aluminum.