5R55E Torque Converter Noise in a Ranger??

[92 5 oh]

'Afternoon,
A few weeks ago I noticed a noise coming from my truck that sounded almost exactly like a loud belt tensioner and even had some the same characteristics. When in part the noise isn't too apparent, it's the worst when I am in gear and not moving, it seems to go away for the most part when I start to move. I immediately thought it was the tensioner as I have replaced it before under warranty and figured that it was happening again. Instead of actually climbing around and listening to the noise I hastily replaced the tensioner this weekend to find out that the noise still existed. So I climbed around the front of the truck and I noticed the noise was coming from behind the motor. Upon more investigation and using my stethoscope it really sounds like it's in the bell housing. I've looked all around the exhaust, hangers, metal pipes, etc and beat on them a little - everything is tight and nothing I can find is hitting the frame or exhaust. I searched around on some forums and it seems that there's a "common" problem with the torque converts in the 4.6 explorers where they make noise - possibly a loose spring in the clutch plate? but I couldn't find anyone having the issue with a ranger. Some of the observations I have made is that almost 100% of the time it is worse when in gear as opposed to park - but it does make noise often in park (or neutral), as crazy as it sounds - as the trans warms up the sound seems to stop, as best as I can tell when I start to move or give it a little gas the sound goes away - where as the problems with the explorers seem to go away when the TC locks up, everything functions fine in the trans - no codes - no slipping or hard shifts - temp is fine etc. I have checked the fluid condition, it looks a little dirty but not burnt. I'm dropping the pan tonight to look for metal shavings, flush the fluid and replace the filter. To me, it sounds like it's metal on metal - like something is bouncing around in the TC but I'm not sure if that's possible and it doesn't. I always thought the entire TC was full of fluid, if that was the case I'm not sure if I would hear the same sound. The best way I can describe it is like a weak belt tensioner - it's very similar to this. What's more strange is that it doesn't ALWAYS do it. I'd guess that 75% of the time it makes the sound until the truck/trans is warm, once warmed up the noise is gone as best as I can tell.
I've looked for a damaged or loose backing plate, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Has anyone heard of this before or have any thoughts what it may be?
BTW, it's a 98 Ranger 4.0 OHV 4x4 with a 5R55E

Thanks!
Steven

 

[Andy D]

Total wild guess, it may be a cracked flex plate.

 

[92 5 oh]

I've read someone had that problem. I can't tell if mine is cracked but then again I can't see any of it....I've never actually seen a cracked flex plate personally but I can't rule it out until I pull the trans back. Unfortunately I got stuck at work much later than I wanted so I couldn't get to pulling the pan down. I guess if I see no shavings or indication of severe damage I'll driving it for the time being
Thanks for the flex plate suggestion...anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[GentleRF]

I had a cracked flex plate in a Geo metro a couple of years back. It was caused by a cracked bell housing on the trans. It made a lot of noise. I'd also check the torque converter bolts to the flex plate since they can get loose. The only way I know of to determine if the flex plate is cracked is to pull the transmission and the flex plate. In my experience they crack right where they mate up with the crankshaft.

I hope this helps.

 

[Andy D]

My first experience was a totally broken, all 3 fingers cracked, flex plate in a 65 Belair 283 with a Powerglide. Had to hitch hike from Dorchester to my house. I was just a passenger, so no big deal. I boogered up something in the last engine swap I did on on a Grand Wagoneer. I spent a lot of time and a couple hundred bucks making a decent Waggie out of 3 bad ones. When I loaded the engine up, by getting on it too fast for the 727 to vacuum down shift, it would commence making this terrible ( expensive) noise from the bell housing. Like a bolt had backed out a little and was getting hammered into the back of the block. It only happened when I stomped on it. Ran pissah, otherwise. Pissah, is South Shore - ese for good. Wicked pissah, is really good.

 

[92 5 oh]

Looks like I got my answer...I pulled down the trans pan last night and found more metal that I would have liked. I expect that some amount of shavings are normal but in my experience that's normally pretty fine metal, kind of like silt. I found larger pieces, like the size of the roller at the tip of a ball point point pen and they were jagged as if something were beating them up. I also found some small slivers - about 1/2 the length of the short side of a staple and half the diameter. They've probably run through some of the passages and scored the surface at this point. Some of the crap in the pics is dirt that got knocked off the pan. This is roughly half the metal, some of it got washed down already. It's hard to see it all in the pics, but there's a fair amount IMO
I was able to find a 5R55E from a 2000 Explorer with under 100K miles. A quick glance looks like it's a compatible trans. Even the SOHC and OHV bolt pattern is the same. Can anyone confirm this?
thanks again for the quick replies and help!
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[92 5 oh]

I dug around a little bit and found the answer to my question -- yes, it will fit. 2001+ have an intermediate shaft speed sensor (ISS) that I would leave disconnected if I had one that new. While at work I was looking for some transmissions and here's what i found: which would you go with?

1) 2000 Explorer (5R55E) $500
Pros: From a JY with a 30 day warranty, 116K miles or so, was told it shifts fine, includes the TC, identical to current trans
Cons: The JY is an hour away and their hours are not great - would be difficult to get there to pick up or exchange if a problem occured.

2) 1997 Explorer (5R55E) $300
Pros: Cheaper, closer (within a few minutes away), identical to current trans
Cons: Unknown miles or condition - still trying to reach the seller, no warranty

3) 2002 Explorer (5R55W) $500
Pros: Closer (within 15 minutes), condition is good (currently in a DD), can pick up almost any time, 5R55W has slightly taller gear ratio for 1-3 - this may be nice with 32's and 3.73 rear end?, includes TC
Cons: no warranty, mileage is estimated 130-140K - awaiting confirmation from owner

Thanks!

 

[enjr44]

My two cents (and worth that). I would go with the JY and pay with a credit card. Two reasons for me.

You have 30 days to get it installed and checked out. And, your satisfaction is guaranteed; especially by paying for it with a credit card. You will have your card company on your side if there are any problems.

Buying from Jake or Johnny, down the street, you may end up with a great boat anchor.

Ed

 

[Dune Runner]

Option 1 sounds best to me. 116k still leaves some life on it as long as it's been maintained. A valve body for these really helps. I put one in from Central Valve Body and it helped a lot. I have firm shifts now and that's with 133k on the clock.