snowborderus

Just bought (less than 60 days) a 2004 F150 with a 5.4L. Seemed to drive fine until about a week ago. First thing in the morning it would hesitate for a few seconds when going into drive (No delay for reverse) and steadily it has gotten worse until Sunday where it almost didn't go into drive at all. Limped it to the local dealership. They have yet to tear into it but they're saying worst case scenario is to have it replaced. Is 109k usual for tranny problems? I've had many vehicles with more than that and never had any issues.

MHOWELL34

Any codes on the dash yet? And is it just drive 1st gear, or does 2nd hook up fine when you shift it

snowborderus

No dash lights. At first it had trouble finding drive (wouldn't matter if it was in D, 2 or 1) but once it found it, it wouldn't slip at all. Until Sunday when it took almost 10 minutes to engage and was slipping while limping to the dealer. (Which I now regret going to)

MHOWELL34

Hmmm sounds like a couple clutches might be toast or worn down.

If its still driving. Try throwing some lucas transmission fix in there to clean it some. If its tore up tho its pretty much done for.

screamineagle

It's likely a blown seal. You need a rebuild, a band aid is not gonna fix it.

snowborderus

Is there any reason to replace the whole tranny instead of rebuilding?

dphelps1964

On my 2006 4.6, my tranny went out completely going down the highway and had to be replaced. I went with a Moveras transmission that I ordered through Autozone's website in cause you need a reference for future.

Dirttracker18

Cost of a rebuild vs a new trans is not much (unless you let the dealer do it).

FWIW

I would never have brought an 04 to the dealer for a trans issue. I would have headed for the best local trans specialist. The price would have been much better for labour and a trans. In addition a trans shop will put in or rebuild to better standards, overcoming the trans shortcomings, and the F150 of that era has some.

In my case the trans shop said they would look into repairs but replace if necessary, which they needed to do. They did not put in a new one, they keep rebuilds on the shelf and just swap them out, with my old one becoming hte next rebuilt on the shelf.

snowborderus

Yup. I was able to get the truck out of the dealers hands before anything could get done. Got it to a local tranny shop, should know by this afternoon what's wrong. Worst case scenario is about 40% less than the dealers.

johnny_tucson

this is good advice/experience. At 114k mine went out. Local shop rebuilt it and 1 yr parts and labor for 2400 even. You could probably get a better deal but I had mine built/upgraded for better performance/towing.