Hi all,
I'm new to this site and was hoping that I could get a few ideas as to what has been burned out in my transmission and what is required to fix it.
Over a year ago I was stuck in the snow and was rocking the truck in 1st gear then all of a sudden, no more 1st gear. Now I have to put it into 2nd to start out then put it in drive then it works ok. No 1st at all. Also as it is changing gears after I place it in drive, the engine revs very high before the transmission catches so there is some sort of slipping going on between 2nd and 3rd I think. Sprag?? Any help would be great. Thanks!
99 XLT 4x4 4.0

 

EIther the forward clutch is slipping or a one-way could be broke. The forward clutch is on in first, second and third so you will feel it slip in all gears

 

Thanks for the info. In 2nd gear there is no slipping at all, also, in 4wheel low there is no slipping. (but I still have to put it in 2nd) If I put it in 1st or drive, it feels like it wants to move as I can feel the truck move forward a hair but there is not enough grab to actually move it. After I am going faster than 20 or 25 (in 2nd), I can put it into drive and it is fine until it changes gears and that is when it seems to slip as it is changing gears, the engine races for a few seconds until it catches.Then it operates normally. I hope that helps a bit and thanks again!

 

on this transmission the components apply as follows

1-Forward Clutch
2-Forward Clutch, Front Band
3-Forward Clutch, Intermediate Band
4-Forward Clutch, Direct Clutch
5-Forward Clutch, Direct Clutch, Front Band

When you shift into MAN2, the transmission is actually in third gear (with the addition of the coast clutch for engine braking).

The rear one-way clutch is holding in first and second, but over-running in all other gears. If the transmission is only slipping in first and second, the rear one-way could be trashed.

What does it do in MAN1? in MAN1 the low/reverse band should hold the rear one-way

 

Thanks Toreador4x4, In MAN1 it surges slightly forward, just like in drive, but that's it. There is no other movement forward. No other forward motion except for that initial "nudge". After that the engine will rev up but no movement other than a barely perceptible forward motion that is equal to the amount of pressure exerted as if a child were pushing the truck with one hand. Would this issue require a total rebuild or a used one from the bone yard? Thanks for the help!

 

5R55 transmissions are such garbage that you are way better off doing a full rebuild or having one done. All friction material/steels and seals should be replaced. The valve body must be disassembled to make sure that no pieces of the one-way or debris is stuck in the valves. Install a shift kit at the same time and get it back together.

 

Thanks Justin, I have done head gaskets and the like but a tranny job is, more than likely, beyond my ability. I was quoted a price of 1400-1600 to have the thing rebuilt (does this sound reasonable?) and I just don't have that at this time so I am forced to just drive the thing as is until I save up the funds to have it done or buy a replacement truck. It has worked for over a year in this condition so I expect that it will continue to work using 2nd then drive... Thanks

 

Pretty lucky it moves at all. I've dissected a few transmissions that were rocked back and forth. Not A pleasant sight.

 

That sounds like a fair price. When we converted 0rangeredge2's truck from 2wd to 4wd, he had atleast $1k in parts into the transmission.