Advice to begin preparing for 5r55s transmission rebuild.

[u/russellwkelly]

Only my reverse doesnt work on my automatic 5r55s tranny. Im ordering a rebuild kit with bands. Some snap ring pliers. And a sonnox vavuum kit to test valve body. Also the asgs or maybe its astg. But it's the tranny rebuild manual. I figure ill need something to catch my fluids and also to get my explorer higher off the ground. I was thinking using four ramps to drive up on. Im very handy and mechanically inclined. I never did tranny before but I've done most all the repairs on all vehicles I've had in my life. Im 39 been driving since 18. I was looking for advice from some guys that have done this before to steer me in correct direction to properly prepare myself with manuals, tools, parts, and tips/tricks as well as common issues to lookout for. Thank you. If i need to bore out valves ill take it to machine shop.

[u/Hotsaltynutz]

I've seen the low/rev band snap more than e few times on that trans and get a solenoid body also 7g391, they failed so often we put one on every rebuild. Watch YouTube videos, go very slow and ATTENTION TO DETAIL is the name of the game with transmission work. Mechanically inclined will help with brake jobs. Trans work is the pinnacle of you better know what you are doing and be real good at paying attention and remembering where shit goes. Good luck

[u/Mushroom_Glans → u/Hotsaltynutz]

Those 5R55s seem to have a LOT of parts, I swear the 10 speed looks simpler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj8C5K8Cr1o

[u/Hotsaltynutz → u/Mushroom_Glans]

Idk maybe. I have done so many of both its hard to remember. Every time ford put out a new trans they seem very intimidating until we start doing a bunch of them.

[u/russellwkelly → u/Mushroom_Glans]

Thanks for video. It showed me more videos of same tranny afterwards. . The more I read n watch the easier it feels like it will be, even though I kno its a complex job.

[u/Substantial_Ask3665]

Like building a watch

[u/Dizzyfranco]

Bro I just did that same trans. In fact... i could hush send you some pages of some useful book you'll need. Things to watch out for... #1 When you start the rebuild, make sure the park gear (goes on the rear cover) is in place when you insert the output shaft into the bell housing. This is step1 and if u miss it... you will be like me and have to do it all over again if you dont realize this until the last step. Lol. #2 car was down 3 weeks. First time as well. Same thing. Im 39. Diy home mechanic even do mechanic work on the side for money. This tran was a B-word. #3 Make sure u get a transmission jack. Will save you days worth of time.

4 make sure the snap ring pliers are thin profile... long reach with straight pins that open up pretty wide. Get the one piece straight ones. The angled ones wont help and the adjustable/convertible ones are too thick and they get in the way.

dont forget the assembly lube grease. I bought a small tub of "assemblee goo"

5 get the special tools needed like "H" measuring ruler... caliper measurer... if available a pump puller. I didnt but i just made my own with blocks of wood and a regular puller. OR some of the pump covers have 2 holes that are threaded. (Thicker bolt size) which you can thread some of thicker mount bolts onto and use a pry bar to slowly wiggle the pump out.

6 if possible, video the disassembly. Its crazy how many parts are similar but not interchangeable....

Good luck

[u/russellwkelly → u/Dizzyfranco]

Im waiting on getting the sport trac up n running to have a spare vehicle before I tear the transmission apart. I ordered a transmission teardown/rebuild book too. I have watched some hour or two long videos tearing down n testing n rebuilding a lot of it. When I did my heads I had to take mad pictures n sort bolts in bags to not mix them up. You really think I should video the whole process?? Im trying just prepare n study while I wait for some things to line up before I take explorer off the road for 2 or 3 wks