5R44E Banner Rebuild Kit 1997

This 1997-up 5R44E rebuild kit is listed as a banner kit, but what ships is closer to a super master kit: overhaul gaskets and seals, a full friction set, the steel plates, new carbon overdrive and intermediate bands, a filter and both case bushings. It is built for a 5R44E, 5R55E, 4R55E or 4R44E that is slipping, flaring, losing a gear or leaving band and clutch material in the pan of a Ford Ranger, Explorer, Mountaineer or Mazda B-series truck.

What this kit renews in a 5R44E

The 5R44E is the lighter-duty five-speed of the pair, the version that followed the 2.3L and 3.0L 4R44E, while the 5R55E took over from the 4.0L 4R55E. From 1997 both got their fifth ratio by applying the front servo, which makes the overdrive and intermediate bands work much harder than they did in the old four-speeds. That is why the bands matter in this kit. The contents are:

• Overhaul gasket set with all paper gaskets, rubber seals, O-rings and lip seals, metal-clad front, rear and manual shaft seals, sealing rings and a fiber pan gasket
• Directional frictions: 6 direct, 6 forward and 3 overdrive
• Steel plates for those packs, 6 direct, 3 overdrive and 6 forward (pressure plates not included)
• Carbon overdrive flex band and carbon intermediate flex band
• Filter with an updated filter bolt, plus converter housing and tail housing bushings

Symptoms that call for this kit

• Flare or slip on the 2-3 or 3-4 shift, or no 5th
• Soft engagement or slipping under load after the fluid warms up
• Band lining and clutch material on the magnet, with dark, burnt-smelling fluid
• Ratio codes like P0735 once slipping is already severe
• Leaks at the front pump seal, tail housing or manual shaft

How to confirm before you tear it down

Line pressure problems in this valve body can mimic worn bands. Sonnax reports that EPC circuit leakage causes flares and harsh shifts and can go on to break bands and blow out servo seals, so a unit that gets a fresh kit without a valve body check may fail the new bands too. If the fluid is still clean, start with pressure tests and the electrical checks in our 5R55 harsh and delayed shift guide, and look at the 1997 5R44E valve body if the circuit leaks. Burnt fluid and lining in the pan mean the hard parts are worn and the overhaul is due.

Fitment

The kit fits 4R44E, 4R55E, 5R44E and 5R55E transmissions from 1997 on. It does not fit pre-1997 4R44E or 4R55E units, and it does not fit the 5R55N, 5R55W or 5R55S. The filter and rear bushing depend on your pan and drivetrain. The kit is set up for a two-wheel-drive flat pan by default; if your truck has a 4WD deep pan or a 2WD deep pan, tell us when you order. For 4WD units the tail housing bushing is left out and an adapter-to-transfer-case gasket is added. Confirm the transmission code on the door-jamb label or send us your year and VIN. You can compare every year range we carry on the 5R55 parts page.

Install notes

• The transmission has to come out and be fully disassembled; this is not an in-car repair.
• Soak frictions and both bands in fresh ATF before assembly, and set clutch clearances using the new steels.
• Reuse your pressure plates only if they are flat and free of heat damage, since the kit does not include them.
• Inspect the drums and planetary while the case is apart; a 5R44E planetary is worth having on hand if the old one shows thrust washer or pinion wear.
• Refill with Mercon V and flush the cooler and lines first.

Is this a banner kit or a master kit?

It is listed as a banner kit, but the contents match a super master kit: gasket and seal set, frictions, steel plates, two carbon bands, filter, filter bolt and the converter and tail housing bushings.

Does it fit a 4x4 Ranger or Explorer?

Yes, if it is a 1997-up 5R44E, 5R55E, 4R55E or 4R44E. Tell us you have a 4WD deep pan so the right filter goes in. The tail housing bushing is replaced with the 4WD adapter gasket.

Which bands are included?

New carbon overdrive and intermediate flex bands. The pressure plates are not included, so inspect and reuse yours.

Will it fit a 5R55W or 5R55S Explorer?

No. The 5R55N, 5R55W and 5R55S are a different transmission. This kit is for the 1997-up 4R44E, 4R55E, 5R44E and 5R55E only.

What fluid should I use?

Mercon V. Flush out old fluid, because Sonnax ties early Mercon V to solenoid failures in this family.

• 5R55 Harsh or Delayed Shifts: A Diagnostic Walkthrough