New 3.0L auto owner with different trans issue

[starquestbd22]

Hi all. New to me 2003 Ranger Edge with 3.0L and auto trans with 130K miles. The trucks seems to shift fine all the time with two exceptions. For one, when shifting into OD I get a rather harsh jerk. The actual shift into OD seems to go off fine. I see and hear the RPM drop and seem to feel a smooth shift but then right at the end I get one harsh jerk. It's almost like the truck is dropping into OD with no cushion or torque management. Just WHAM and there it is. It does this almost every time although I have noticed that if you are really babying the throttle during the shift into OD the jerk may either not occur or may be very difficult to detect. The second is when the trucks downshifts under load such as on a hill where it has to catch a lower gear. It's pretty much the same here. The downshift is very abrupt and harsh. There is no shuddering or slipping or any other mess, just one hard shift. It does not do this any other time.

I have read and read about the problems that the 4R44E and 5R55E can have but haven't really encountered anything like this. The first thing I did was check the transmission fluid level and it is normal an appears to be in decent condition.

Any other thoughts?

 

[Bronco638]

I have a 2001 Edge w/3.0. I believe we both have the 5R44E trans. The 5R55E is for the 4.0 (I know, confusing). It sounds, to me, like you have a u-joint going (but why wouldn't you feel it on all the up-shifts?). Still, something to look for.