Hard into Reverse 6R80
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 6
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From: Central Ky
Hard into Reverse 6R80
My apologies if I am posting in the wrong place.
I have a 2017 F150 XLT Supercab w/ 5.0 and 6R80 currently at 112k miles. Two minor things I have noticed with my transmission.
- Hard shift into and out of 4th but that one is incredibly rare and not very concerning. Maybe a fluid flush and programming change? All inputs welcome as I'm pretty novice when it comes to transmission diagnosis and repairs.
- Hard shift into reverse from drive: Coming to a complete stop and shifting into reverse it seems to engage aggressively. Doesn't jerk the truck or make a loud clunk, just not a smooth find for reverse. What I have been doing is coming to a stop, shifting into neutral for roughly 1+ seconds, and then shifting into reverse. Doing this seems to allow the truck to glide into reverse like it is still new. This one baffles me as I'm unsure if this is transmission related or torque converter related.
Thoughts? Suggested things to inspect? Suggested part failure behavior to keep an eye out for? Normal behavior for such mileage? All inputs welcome.
Thank you for your time and help!
I have a 2017 F150 XLT Supercab w/ 5.0 and 6R80 currently at 112k miles. Two minor things I have noticed with my transmission.
- Hard shift into and out of 4th but that one is incredibly rare and not very concerning. Maybe a fluid flush and programming change? All inputs welcome as I'm pretty novice when it comes to transmission diagnosis and repairs.
- Hard shift into reverse from drive: Coming to a complete stop and shifting into reverse it seems to engage aggressively. Doesn't jerk the truck or make a loud clunk, just not a smooth find for reverse. What I have been doing is coming to a stop, shifting into neutral for roughly 1+ seconds, and then shifting into reverse. Doing this seems to allow the truck to glide into reverse like it is still new. This one baffles me as I'm unsure if this is transmission related or torque converter related.
Thoughts? Suggested things to inspect? Suggested part failure behavior to keep an eye out for? Normal behavior for such mileage? All inputs welcome.
Thank you for your time and help!
5 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 825
From: Texas
Has the transmission fluid ever been changed? If not drop the pan, change the filter and add new fluid. The consensus for long transmission life is to change the fluid every 60k miles. 6R80 is a good transmission but it does need clean fluid. Weak point is lead frame failures from contaminates.
5.0 DOHC V8 | 7.3 Gdzilla
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,987
Likes: 2,077
From: California and Utah
What Bubbabiker said.
And your hunch is solid. If the trans has remained untouched since new, then, yes, definitely do a fluid, filter and filter bypass (another Motorcraft part the price of which is inconsequential), yes, and a fresh programming update if necessary for your truck.
The Owners Guide suggests 150,000 fluid changes and that is a gross oversight on Ford's part. Many Ford techs will tell you 60,000 fluid changes are the way to go, and I for one do not think they say this only "for the money".
Six minutes general info:
45 mins specific to the 6R80 and it's lead frame issue
And your hunch is solid. If the trans has remained untouched since new, then, yes, definitely do a fluid, filter and filter bypass (another Motorcraft part the price of which is inconsequential), yes, and a fresh programming update if necessary for your truck.
The Owners Guide suggests 150,000 fluid changes and that is a gross oversight on Ford's part. Many Ford techs will tell you 60,000 fluid changes are the way to go, and I for one do not think they say this only "for the money".
Six minutes general info:
45 mins specific to the 6R80 and it's lead frame issue
