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Ford Explorer Maintenance and Repair

6385 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 7:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer

    

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Messages Page 375 of 639

#3736 of 6385 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [ladyc] by electricdesign

May 30, 2005 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: ladyc (May 30, 2005 4:17 pm)
Ladyc, I do indeed feel so very sorry for you, as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have posted many times on here for several years about how bad these transmissions are. Please see post #3696, where I again summarize what I think of the 1991 to 1994 Ford Explorer Transmissions. The transmission you have is called an A4LD, which means AUTOMATIC 4 SPEED LIGHT DUTY, and I do mean LIGHT DUTY. I wish I had better news for you, as I have built several of those transmissions and I know they went through a boatload of changes during those 4 years, they are very difficult to rebuild properly, requiring many hard parts, new thrust washers, new torque convetor, through cleaning of the oil cooler and lines, close scrutiny of every little part and attention to every detail, much more so that the "average" transmission. I would advise anyone who wants to repair their transmission in a 1991 to 1994 Ford Explorer (only one transmission and engine was avaliable at that time) to take their vehicle to only a highly recommended shop that can provide a longer term warranty, or get a remanufactured transmission from a National Remanufacturing Company such as Jasper.
I think the best bet is to get a 1996 or newer Explorer with the V8, as it has the strong 4R70W transmission behind it. Both the 5.0 L V8 engine and the 4R70W tranmission have proven to be strong and reliable for years. I have a 1997 and a 2000, both with V8 and they run perfect with no problem. I could not be happier! Unless of course, I could get 25mpg around town! But of course, I can dream!
Sorry for your misfortune, wish you well.
E.D.

#3737 of 6385 Re: transmission problems [david58] by renna

May 30, 2005 (6:44 pm)

Replying to: david58 (May 27, 2005 10:53 am)
yes, your transmission probably is affected. i have an early 2002 mountaineer with 50,000 miles,and i just had my solenoid pack replaced. it did fix the shifting problem. considering the small amount of people on this web site as opposed to all of the owners out there, this must be a huge problem.

#3738 of 6385 Memorial Day Trans Problems by kenmatt

May 30, 2005 (9:00 pm)

Last Friday we took our 2000 Explorer (XLS, 4.0L, 2WD, 77K miles) up to the mountains for Memorial Day. The weather was hot (90 degrees) and the climb pretty steady. After about 20 minutes of driving the O/D Light started flashing. I stopped and read the Owner's Manual and all it said was there was a problem with the transmission and to see a dealer. Anyway, it ran fine so we completed our journey with the light flashing. Today (Memorial Day) on the way home it ran fine and the light stayed off until just before home (1.5 hour drive), then the light started flashing and it felt like it slipped between 2nd and 3rd gear. Today was much cooler and most of the trip was downhill.
 
Any idea what's going on in there?

#3739 of 6385 95 Explorer back seat problem by deloughrige

May 31, 2005 (7:22 am)

My large back seat will no longer fold down. The release levers will no longer release the fold down catch. I have no problem with the single back seat. Don't know if cables are stretched or some other problem. I need the extra room. I'd appreciate any help with this problem. Thanks

#3740 of 6385 kenmatt by nitromax

May 31, 2005 (9:32 am)

Last Friday we took our 2000 Explorer (XLS, 4.0L, 2WD, 77K miles) up to the mountains for Memorial Day. The weather was hot (90 degrees) and the climb pretty steady. After about 20 minutes of driving the O/D Light started flashing. I stopped and read the Owner's Manual and all it said was there was a problem with the transmission and to see a dealer. Anyway, it ran fine so we completed our journey with the light flashing. Today (Memorial Day) on the way home it ran fine and the light stayed off until just before home (1.5 hour drive), then the light started flashing and it felt like it slipped between 2nd and 3rd gear. Today was much cooler and most of the trip was downhill.
  
Any idea what's going on in there?

 
I'm not too familiar with the newer Ford trannys but It sounds like the clutch plates are slipping.
I had a similar problemn with an older Ford automatic back in the late 80's. It did the same thing...as the tranny got hotter (from driving) the tranny would slip more. Mine was so bad that it would be in gear and not even move. If I let it cool down , it was driveable...but only until it heated up again.
 
Check your fluid first...is there enough? what color is it? (it should be red? at least older Ford autos used the red stuff)

#3741 of 6385 '98 Explorer - Control Arm Bushing by ejgabe

Jun 01, 2005 (9:00 am)

My '98 Explorer (with 90K miles) has been making a rattling/clucking/sqeaking noise on the front end. It is very noticable at lower speeds when going over bumbs. I am being told that the control arm bushing need to be replaced and that is a common problem with Explorers. Has anyone else had this problem or have any suggestions. Thanks.

#3742 of 6385 Re: kenmatt [nitromax] by slanker

Jun 01, 2005 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: nitromax (May 31, 2005 9:32 am)
I have an 01 sport trac doing the same thing off and on and has for 6 months. The light does not always come on when acting up. Does your engine light come on as well? I have only found another story of this that cured problem with a new solonoid body in transmission(part # 4l2z-7g391-aa). Let me know what fixes yours and I will do the same. This transmission is electronically controlled shifting. I have religiously changed fluid every 15k and took my pan off to verify no debris before taking it to the dealer to avoid a jump to conclusion needs a rebuild.

#3743 of 6385 Re: '98 Explorer - Control Arm Bushing [ejgabe] by electricdesign

Aug 25, 2003 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: ejgabe (Jun 01, 2005 9:00 am)
The Control Arm Bushing IS NOT a common problem on Explorers.The only way they get to be a problem is by not taking care of them, meaning not lubing them at each oil change. ALL bushings under the vehicle, front and rear, should be sprayed and soaked with WD-40 first, then sprayed with spray white grease. You did not state wether upper or lower control bushing. The more common problem is the ball joints, usually around 100K miles, lower ones wear out first, the upper may last a little longer. My 1997 Explorer has 138K miles, all original bushings and all are tight and very quiet. The original lower ball joints lasted for 136K miles, just replaced them last month. My 2000 Explorer has 101K miles, all original bushings and all are tight and very quiet. Lube ALL your bushings!

#3744 of 6385 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [electricdesign] by chuck1

Jun 02, 2005 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: electricdesign (May 30, 2005 5:38 pm)
Ladyc, I do indeed feel so very sorry for you, as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have posted many times on here for several years about how bad these transmissions are.
 
She said she had the tranny rebuilt a year ago. It would appear (unless there is abuse here) that the rebuild was bad--not the transmission. If the rebuild was done properly, it would have gone a lot longer than a year, no matter how bad you say they are....

#3745 of 6385 Re: Ford explorer transmission problems Please HELP!!!!! [chuck1] by electricdesign

Jun 02, 2005 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Jun 02, 2005 12:57 pm)
"She said she had the tranny rebuilt a year ago. It would appear (unless there is abuse here) that the rebuild was bad--not the transmission. If the rebuild was done properly, it would have gone a lot longer than a year, no matter how bad you say they are.... "
 
Yes....Exactly my point. My former post indicated the criticalness of rebuilding the tranny right, or it will not work for long. The point I made about how bad they are is twofold.
First, is the inheirent weakness of the design, with so my design flaws, they made many production changes from 1991 to 1994, first changing the band from the double wrap to the single wrap, changing clutch drums, planetaries, pump and thrust washers. They were full of weaknesses, and are a big part of tranny shops bread and butter.
Second, is the critical need to have everything exactly perfect in the tranny. You can't just let a part "slide " or "get by" because it looks ok, it must be critically examined, and measured, to be as good as new or else replace it. These trannys typically require so many new hard parts, that they typically need to be REMANUFACTURED with almost all new parts. Throwing them together with a set of soft parts and a few thrust washers will usually result in what Ladyc got, a failed transmission after a relatively short period of time. AND once it fails again, it must be completely redone over again, as everything is contaminated and ruined, meaning another new or rebuilt torque converter, cleaning and flushing the cooler and lines, tearing in down completely again and checking everything to the very last detail.
As I said, I built several of these, and I have delt with others who have built them. These trannys can hold up if they are used for light duty only, but the idea of a SUV built on a light truck frame is for service heavier than light duty. Myself, I drive rather hard and agressive, so they do not hold up well for me. An easygoing driver may have better luck with them. However, once they start to have problems, easygoing or not, they will eventually self distruct.
For those of you that are not familiar with transmissions, let me say that all transmissions are NOT created equal. They are like cars, some are better than others. Each has their own unique qualities, strengths and weaknesses. A good transmission technician know these qualities, and knows what to look for in a particular tranny, if he is experienced with that particular tranny.
Again, good luck,
E.D.

Messages Page 375 of 639

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