5R55W Clutch Drum 1999, used and ready to install. Fits the 5R55W. Ships fast from the USA.
An Explorer or Mountaineer that sits in Drive with the engine revving and goes nowhere, yet still backs out of the driveway, has almost always lost its forward clutch. When that pack burns, the drum that carries it can crack or wear its sealing ring lands, and a new set of plates will not hold in a leaking drum. This listing is a used 5R55W forward clutch drum, the five-clutch style catalogued under interchange number 16554A, for owners and shops rebuilding the five-speed behind the 4.0L V6 or 4.6L V8.
Every forward gear in this transmission depends on one pack. Ford's 5R55W/S application chart lists the forward clutch as applied in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, with the bands, the direct clutch and the one-way clutches changing around it. Reverse uses the reverse band, coast clutch and direct clutch instead, which is why a failed forward clutch leaves reverse working. The drum is the housing: it holds the frictions and steels, carries the apply piston, and takes oil from the center support through sealing rings on its back hub. When you select Drive, the valve body ramps the apply in stages using pressure control solenoid B, the forward engagement valve and VFS1, so a cushioned engagement depends on that oil reaching the piston without leaking off.
Slip that only shows up in 2nd and 5th is the overdrive band and servo, not this drum; the 5R55W is known for servo pin bore wear in the case, which our servo pin bore wear guide explains. For a true no-Drive complaint, Ford's checklist includes fluid level, line pressure, sticking valves, valve body bolt torque, the overdrive servo and the center support as well as the forward clutch. In the GEARS case study on a 2006 Explorer, burned forward clutches were caused by a leaking end plug at the forward engagement control valve, and rebuilding the clutch alone would have burned it again. Follow our Explorer won't move guide to narrow it down before ordering.
The drum is listed for the 5R55N, 5R55S and 5R55W from 1999 on, which is where the 1999 in our title comes from. The 5R55W itself did not appear until the 2002 model year. Sonnax dates the W to 2002-2003 Explorer and Mountaineer, with the 5R55S used in those trucks for 2004-2005. If you have a 2004 or 2005 Explorer, see our 5R55S forward clutch drum listing. Sonnax also cautions that few parts interchange between the earlier 5R55N and the W/S. Before you order, pull your old drum and count the friction plates (this one is a five-clutch drum), then compare the spline, piston and ring lands with our photos. Send us your year and VIN and we will confirm it. All 5R55 parts are on our 5R55 transmission page.
This is a used hard part, so prep it before it goes in. Wash it, look for cracks around the spline and the piston bore, and run a fingernail over the sealing ring lands; grooves there mean leaks. Check the center support where the rings ride as well. Build it with new frictions, steels, piston seals and sealing rings from a 5R55W/S overhaul kit, air-check the piston and set the pack clearance to spec. Refill with Mercon V through the T30 Torx fill plug, since there is no dipstick on this unit. A dry fill takes about 12.4 to 12.7 quarts behind the 4.0L and 4.6L. Check the level hot, reset the adaptive tables with a scan tool and give the PCM a few drive cycles to relearn the forward engagement.
| Fits | 5R55W 1999 |
| Part type | Clutch Drum |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | OEM |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Those years used the 5R55W, which this forward clutch drum is listed for. Compare your original drum to the photos, count the friction plates, and send us your VIN if you want a second check.
The drum is listed for both the W and the S, and we also list it as a 5R55S part. Match it to your old drum before installing, since hard parts vary between versions.
The forward clutch is used in all five forward gears but not in reverse, so a burned forward clutch or a leaking drum produces exactly that. A leaking valve body end plug or low line pressure can do the same, so test before you tear down.
No. If the forward clutch burned, replace the frictions, steels, piston seals and the sealing rings on the drum hub. An overhaul kit includes them.
Mercon V. Expect roughly 12.4 to 12.7 quarts for a dry fill behind the 4.0L or 4.6L. Fill and check through the T30 Torx plug with the transmission at operating temperature.
Yes. Reset the PCM adaptive tables with a scan tool and drive gently for a few cycles so it relearns engagement and shift timing.
