Well, as i type this, i am stranded on the side of the road, about 130 miles from home, in another state.....waiting for triple A to give me a tow (and then waiting in the rain for my friends to come pick me up and get me home).

What was it this time you ask?

Well, last week when i changed my oil, i noticed a drip of transmission fluid on the tranny pan. I made sure to check the fluid level, and it seemed ok (within the checkered area on the dipstick).

Fast foreward a week or so, to friday. I notice.some smoke coming out from under my truck and investigate, tranny fluid is leaking onto exhaust pipe.

Today, two days later: about to drive 3 hours home from my camp in NH to massachusetts. I let the engine warm up and check the tranny fluid, its still ok, but i figure i should stop and pick up a couple quarts so i can add fluid, if needed, on my way home.

Well, i never even made it to the highway before the "O/D off" light started flashing, and the engine was working at like 5,000 rpm just to get this truck to 40 mph.

Now, lets recap the work i've had to have done to this truck since i bought it in 2018.

Flatbed, after the actual bed disintegrated.
Rear diff seal
Master cylinder
Hydraulic control unit
rear shocks.
Transmission rebuild
Rear diff rebuild.

And now, more than likely ANOTHER transmission. (Luckily, the shop the rebuilt it the first time guarentees their **** for 50K miles).


What kind of truck goes through two tranny's and a rear end before 120,000 miles?????

 

What year and engine is it? I am just curious. I am glad you have AAA. Fords thought me to get that service too. Ford is my favorite maker although I can't ever seem get one that doesn't require fiddling with at least once a month.

Rebuilt trannies just don't last. Drop either a new one in and don't worry. Or put in a junkyard one for a couple of hundred if money is tight.

Seals sometimes just blow just replace with good established brands not whatever is on special at autozone that fits. Quality parts last longer.

 

Its an '07 FX4 (4.0l, 6 cyl, auto, 4x4) i just had the transmission rebuilt back around christmas.....and the shop that did the work guarentees their stuff for 50k miles. But literally, in the last 12 months, i've spent more money just keeping this truck roadworthy than i owe on it, and certainly more than the truck is actually worth. Its frustrating, to say the least.

 

+1 ^

I have a manny trans in my Mazdab2300 and have had no issues, but in other vehicles in the past (all automatics come to think of it) having the tranny rebuilt or purchasing a rebuild has always served as somewhat of a bandaid. They all always seemed to have little issues. None ever flat out failed, but after a short time they all seemed to develop shifting problems.

Even though it sucks i would also opt to just buy a new transmission and be done with it.

 

2007 4.0l Ranger will use the 5R55E automatic
For the number of these on the road they are a reliable automatic, automatics are not known for this, lol

These are usually good for 250k miles, if not run hot, heat kills automatics, could the drip have come from Vent tube, that's a sign of an overheated transmission
Did the trans shop flush out the trans coolers, there should be two, when a shop warranties a rebuilt transmission they should do this, as a dirty or clogged cooler WILL ruin a new trans
This will be a rebuild goof up not a 5R55E goof up
Besides bands and clutches(soft parts) a rebuild requires new pump(Ford model only) new sprags(one-way clutches), new OD drum at a minimum, the rest is a judgement call by the shop after tear down and inspection
And of course a new torque converter

Make sure shop check trans cooler, FX4 should have come with a second trans cooler, if not ADD ONE
You can also ask the cost of installing a ATF temp gauge in the cab and sensor on the lower trans cooler line, that's the OUT to cooler line, this should always show UNDER 200degF
There is a TFT(trans fluid temp) sensor inside the transmission, and some OBD2 readers/APPs can access this, so you could use your phone to display the temp while driving


The 8.8" rear axles really don't fail that often, very safe bet to get these used, so it is a rare occurrence to have one fail
The 8.8" was used in many Ford models
4x4 may have had the Limited Slip model, it needs a friction modifier added to the oil to allow the clutches to "slip" when cornering, so if fluid was changed and no friction additive was put back in, the rear axle would feel like it was "locking up" when cornering, because it was, you would just need to add the friction modifier and all would be well
People often think they need a rebuild when this happens

Master cylinder and 4WABS module are also an odd breakdown with 120k miles

You have definitely had some odd breakdowns