2007 Auto Complete Transmission Failure

[windy4oh]

So, I'm not completely sure whats going on with my transmission all I know is that its completely stopped functioning properly. I know there is a slew of issues with the 5r55 transmissions, but I'm hoping I can find a way to save mine instead of having to buy one.

Just an FYI my car has 190k miles and I'm the 3rd owner.

I had bought the car back in January as a first car, and at the time the transmission basically wouldn't shift past first, after getting it home I had completely drained and flushed the transmission and I haven't had any issues since, but yesterday on my way home from school the car made a chattering sound and the rpms fluctuated and it went back to driving fine for about 15 minutes before it just died and I couldn't get power in any gear. Every gear feels like its in neutral. I've tried all the low gears, drive, and reverse and I get nothing but an inch or so of movement. Sometimes I can hear a thunk and it sounds like its gone into gear but it really hasn't. I tried checking the fluid again to see any issues, there did seem to be a little leak so I decided to check that out and once I figured out it was leaking I plugged it and put enough fluid back in the transmission, but I still am not going anywhere. I did notice though that the fluid I took out of the car looked and smelt burnt almost, which is kinda weird considering back in late January I had just flushed it and I've only driven about 1k miles on it. Anyone got any ideas here, or any cheap solutions ?

 

[Suecra]

It's gone. They are known to be poorly designed transmissions and if your gears are gone and your converter is slipping then its gone, pick up a junkayrd one if your able to. Had a 5r and same thing happened. 190k miles is alot if its the stock transmission.

 

[windy4oh]

It's gone. They are known to be poorly designed transmissions and if your gears are gone and your converter is slipping then its gone, pick up a junkayrd one if your able to. Had a 5r and same thing happened. 190k miles is alot if its the stock transmission.

Would it be possible to just rebuild what I have ?

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

It's possible but my experience of rebuilt automatic transmissions is that they don't last more than a few months before they start acting up again. Therefore I suggest you don't waste time and money rebuilding yours and opt for a used junkyard unit instead. The 5R55S was built to last 150k miles and anything you get above that is a bonus. Many don't even last that long.

 

[Iceman62]

Cut your losses, like others state(d)...head to the junkyard & pull one.

 

[windy4oh]

Alright, well I was kinda planning swapping to manual eventually anyways, would it be better for reliability and longevity to just opt for a manual ? Cause I know its not really going to be easy or cheap, I'm just thinking if the 5r transmission is known to be a piece of shit would it just be better for me to get what I want in the end anyways.

 

[Juice]

It's possible but my experience of rebuilt automatic transmissions is that they don't last more than a few months before they start acting up again. Therefore I suggest you don't waste time and money rebuilding yours and opt for a used junkyard unit instead. The 5R55S was built to last 150k miles and anything you get above that is a bonus. Many don't even last that long.

Well, your trans guys sucks then. Properly rebuilt, should be as good as new. Now if there are hard failures of gears, then a rebuild may not make sense, but just clutches and seals, should be just fine.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Well, your trans guys sucks then. Properly rebuilt, should be as good as new. Now if there are hard failures of gears, then a rebuild may not make sense, but just clutches and seals, should be just fine.

If only it was that simple. The most common failure in the 5R55S is servo bore wear:

 

[Oliver Vigil]

Alright, well I was kinda planning swapping to manual eventually anyways, would it be better for reliability and longevity to just opt for a manual ? Cause I know its not really going to be easy or cheap, I'm just thinking if the 5r transmission is known to be a piece of shit would it just be better for me to get what I want in the end anyways.

If I were in your position, I would just put an auto in. Save your money and the hassle and just bank the money until you're ready for a new vehicle if you plan on sellin. Do routine maintenance on your next transmission and keep her going as long as you can.

 

[Juice]

If only it was that simple. The most common failure in the 5R55S is servo bore wear:

And that is exactly the type of failure a "clutches and seals" rebuild will not fix. But if that is the case, and the guy let it go on the rebuild, then I stand by what I said. I remember pressing on a thin sleeve on a harmonic balancer for a front seal leak due to grove worn into seal surface. Something similiar could be done with the bore.

 

[Suecra]

Alright, well I was kinda planning swapping to manual eventually anyways, would it be better for reliability and longevity to just opt for a manual ? Cause I know its not really going to be easy or cheap, I'm just thinking if the 5r transmission is known to be a piece of shit would it just be better for me to get what I want in the end anyways.

Yes the manual is good and reliable, one of the more reliable ones out there and easy to rebuild as well, and this way you can just plop it in, put in some minor components that go with it and your off.

 

[windy4oh]

Yes the manual is good and reliable, one of the more reliable ones out there and easy to rebuild as well, and this way you can just plop it in, put in some minor components that go with it and your off.

Thats basically my plan if I don't find a cheap junkyard transmission, I'm planning on getting in contact tomorrow with a few yards in hope of finding a cheap 5r transmission.

 

[Monkeyporn]

Sorry for your troubles I have the same trans in my car. While what the others say is true in one sense its not sompletely true. Yes it sounds like your trans has some serious issues and yes it can be rebuild, but doing so will cost you far more then buying a used one from a junk yard. A rebuild trans will last you a good long time but you'll pay $$$ Thousands to get it rebuild plus $$ to get it reinstalled. You cheaper option for a car with 190K miles is to buy a used one try to aim for one with at least 30K miles but no more then 50K that way you'll still get a long life out of it before it to needs major repair. Oh and while you have that bad boy out spend the extra money and thrown a TCI 3000 Torq converter in it.

 

[tjm73]

Manual swapping a 190K miles v6 is a waste of time, money and effort. It'll still be a low desirability car and manual V6 cars are for a smaller audience still. JY swap the 5R55 (and convertor) like said and save your money to get a manual car if you want a stick shift. Also, get a GT if you can swing it.

Sounds harsh, I know. Someone had to rip the band aid off.

 

[DieHarder]

Need to determine what the problem is (solenoids, bands, servo bores, etc). Once you know that you can make an informed decision. If servo bores are the issue you can get a kit that fixes worn servo bores for ~ $210. Replacing them is a bit tricky but this kit can potentially fix what normally requires drilling and a re-sleeve of the servo bores.

Site: https://www.fordservoboretransmissionfixsolution.com/
Kit: https://www.fordservoboretransmissi...Mustang,_Requires_partial_tranny_removal.html

There are also a couple of U-Tube vids on it as well. The vid (#10) above explains more about the kit. Skipping forward to 5:30 explains how they modified the servo's. Cheapest/quickest fix available IMHO if your problem is the servo's. See links on the page for website and add'l info incl PCodes. The servo's can be replaced while on the car but you typically have to lower the trans a bit to get enough room to remove & replace the servo's. Obviously, better to remove it if you can but in either case you must be careful Not to cut/break the o-rings as they're the key to sealing the bores. I would order extra o-rings just in case.