hard shifting trans

[brother rat]

I searched around a little, but didn't find much.

The transmission (A4LD) in my Ranger shifts really hard at first and then shifts smoother as it warms up. The trans has 161k miles. Plenty of fluid in it and it doesn't seem to be slipping. Any ideas?
The only problem that I've had with it before is that the vacuum modulator had to be replaced at around 70k miles.

Also, if I decided to replace the transmission at some point, will a 4R44E/4R55E fit in place of the A4LD? I'm assuming it would need the PCM out of the donor vehicle to shift it properly, right?

Thanks for your help!

 

[jhammel85]

I was going to recommend the modulator...but since you've replaced it, maybe not.

Since it doesnt do it when its "warm". It could be internal. Perhaps the fluid is worth changing. Another thing might be that it could have a vac leak or bad U joint on the driveshaft..I doubt it since it doesnt do it warm but its worth mentioning.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it as long as it's not extremely violent.

 

[brother rat]

Well, is that a classic symptom of a bad modulator? Because even though it's been replaced, that was almost 100k miles ago. So the modulator is far from new.

 

[jhammel85]

Well, is that a classic symptom of a bad modulator? Because even though it's been replaced, that was almost 100k miles ago. So the modulator is far from new.

Thats definitely true..Might be worth it. They arent too much money.