Still no reverse 5r55e

[AK-Ranger]

I just got my 5r55e back in my 99 Ranger and there is still no reverse. I originally replaced the valve body with an ebay reman and replaced a broken reverse servo. I then tore into it and found the infamous broken reverse band. It was real clean inside with no metal shavings so I was pretty confident to just put it back together. Well it still has no reverse!

What do you think? I figure either the ebay valve body was defective, plugged passageway somewhere, or possibly the reverse band slipped out of place during assembly. Not sure if that is even possible though.

 

[projectnitemare]

Did you air check the case to make sure everything was working before you put the valvebody back in? It is real easy for the band to not be in place also so that could be the problem. I would almost lean against the valvebody being if it were screwed you should have more problems than just reverse. Sounds like it's all in the truck. Pull the valvebody and look at the band. It will be a pain but you can get it back in place without pulling it all apart.

 

[AK-Ranger]

No, I did not air check it. I've been looking for a good deal on a used tranny and while I was looking figured I'd tear this one apart and see what I could find. I was real careful in keeping everything organized during disassembly, assembly and when I found the broken band I figured I had it made. Tonight I'm going to take it for a test drive and verify that everything else is actually working. I just put it in gear forward and reverse in the garage so far and was very disappointed to not have reverse still. I did check that the reverse servo was engaging the band when I installed it, but it could have slipped during the rest of the assembly.

 

[projectnitemare]

I have done it once myself, missing the band. It must be done with the trans laying on its back or it's pretty much a guranteed miss. Good thing is that it can be fixed while still in the truck.

 

[AK-Ranger]

How would I go about fixing the band? Drop the pan and the reverse solenoid of course, but what about the fixing it? Just a flashlight and small pick? I sure would be happy to get this thing working again.

 

[projectnitemare]

You are exactly right. If it happened to fall out of place it's usually going to fall to the rear of the case. Since you will have the valve body off take some time to make sure all the valves slide. If nothing still it's going to be a hydraulic or sprag problem.

 

[AK-Ranger]

YES! It works.

The band was out of place. I ended up pulling the valve body and could then see where it needed to go. I was ready to give up and look for a junkyard replacement. That was an oily job getting dripped on while trying to look up and align the band.

 

[projectnitemare]

Glad to hear. It's always nice when it's something simple.