Replaces the internal fluid filter and 16-bolt pan gasket on the Ford 5R55W and 5R55S, fitting Explorer, Mountaineer, Sport Trac and Aviator 2002-2010.
If you own a 2002-2010 Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer, a 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac, or a 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator, the transmission under it is a 5R55W or 5R55S five-speed, and it has no dipstick. That means fluid and filter service gets skipped far more often than it should. This kit gives you the two parts you need when the pan comes down: the internal filter with its integrated intake neck and a new 16-bolt pan gasket. It replaces Ford 1L2Z-7A098-AC and interchanges with FT-140.
The pump on these transmissions draws all of its fluid through this filter, which bolts to the bottom of the valve body with two bolts and seals into the pump intake through its neck. Everything the clutches, bands and servos shed ends up in the pan, and the filter is what keeps that debris out of the pump and out of the solenoid body and valve body bores. The pan gasket seals the 16-bolt pan to the case. Because there is no fill tube, the level is set from a small check plug in the center of the pan drain plug, so a pan that seeps slowly can run the transmission low without anyone noticing until it starts slipping.
Keep in mind that the 5R55 family has a well-known failure that a filter will not fix: wear in the intermediate and overdrive servo pin bores, which bleeds apply pressure and leads to slipping and code P0735 (fifth gear ratio). Dirty fluid speeds that wear up, but if the bores are already worn the cure is a repair, not a service.
Check the fluid first. With no dipstick, pull the check plug with the engine idling in Park and the fluid temperature between about 81 and 120 F, and look at what comes out: dark, burnt-smelling fluid or a pan full of friction material tells you the service is overdue. If the transmission is low, the gasket or a pan bolt that was never torqued evenly is often the reason. If the shift complaint stays after a correct service, work through our 5R55 harsh or delayed shift diagnostic walkthrough before you spend money on hard parts.
Per the listing, this kit fits the 2002-2010 Ford Explorer with the 4.0L V6 or 4.6L V8, the 2002-2010 Mercury Mountaineer, the 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator, in RWD, 4WD and AWD. It is for the 16-bolt pan only. Count the bolts before you order. The 5R55S used in the Mustang, Lincoln LS and Thunderbird is not on the fitment list for this kit, and the older 5R55E in the Ranger uses a different pan, so match your pan and the old filter to the photos, or send us your year and VIN and we will check it. Everything we carry for this family is on the 5R55 parts page.
If the pan shows heavy wear material or the shifts are still erratic after service, the solenoid body is the next common stop on these trucks; see the 5R55S solenoid kit and the 5R55W pressure control solenoid. For a unit with valve body wear, the 5R55S valve body for 2002-2008 is the bolt-in fix.
| Fits transmissions | Ford 5R55W, 5R55S (5-speed automatic) |
| Pan type | 16-bolt oil pan |
| Replaces | 1L2Z-7A098-AC, FT-140 |
| Includes | 1x filter screen assembly, 1x oil pan gasket |
| Filter material | Metal screen with integrated intake neck |
| Vehicles | Ford Explorer 2002-2010, Mercury Mountaineer 2002-2010, Explorer Sport Trac 2007-2010, Lincoln Aviator 2003-2005 |
| Engines | 4.0L V6, 4.6L V8 |
| Drivetrain | RWD, 4WD, AWD |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The listing fitment covers the 2002-2010 Explorer and Mountaineer, 2007-2010 Explorer Sport Trac and 2003-2005 Aviator. The Mustang, Lincoln LS and Thunderbird are not on that list, so do not order it for those cars without matching your pan and old filter first. Send your year and VIN if you are unsure.
Ford's procedure is to idle the engine in Park with the fluid at roughly 81 to 120 F on a scan tool, raise the vehicle level, and remove the small level plug in the center of the pan drain plug. Fluid coming out as a thin stream or a steady drip means the level is right. If nothing comes out, add Mercon V through the plug with a fill adapter until it does.
Mercon V. Ford warns against using any other fluid type in these transmissions. Total capacity is about 12.6 quarts, but a pan and filter service only drains part of it, so always set the final level at the check plug instead of by count.
Ford's service information says the pan gasket can be reused if it is undamaged. In practice an old gasket on a high-mileage unit is usually flattened or torn, and with no dipstick to catch a slow leak, a new gasket is cheap insurance. That is why this kit includes one.
Ford lists 150,000 miles under normal service and 30,000 miles for severe service, which includes towing, hot weather above 90 F, hilly terrain, heavy loads and dusty or off-road use. Most Explorers that tow or work hard fall into the severe schedule.
Only if dirty fluid, a clogged filter or a low level is the cause. Worn servo pin bores, a tired solenoid body and valve body wear are common on these units and a service will not repair them. Service it first, then diagnose any slip or code that remains.
