Hey all. The 99 5.2L Durango is having a hard time shifting into reverse at times. It took at least ten tries this morning from neutral back to reverse before it engaged. It sounds like it is in gear, the click-clunk sound of the linkage moving, but hit the gas and nothing. It eventually works and pulls hard, not a slipping feeling. I am past due for a fluid/filter change and front/rear band adjustments on the transmission (44re), could this cause the problem mentioned?

Any other tips for a reverse that doesn't like to engage?

A side note, this other issue has happened for the last year or so but is transmission related so i will mention it. Sometimes it can't decide whether to stay in one gear or upshift around 33~ mph, so it will go back and forth a few times even with rather consistent speed.

-Matthew

 

sounds like you have a missaligned shifter linkage to me, but the fluid/filter change, with band adjustment is never a bad idea.

PM user Master tech, he will be able to help you out with this

 

No reverse in a 44RE has to be in one of three areas, excluding a hydraulic problem such as low fluid...Fluid does check properly in Neutral position....The elements that are applied in R position is the low/rev band, the front clutch and the direct clutch in the Overdrive housing..Place gear selector in MAN 2 position and get speed to 15 MPH or so then place selector in MAN 1 position..You should feel an engine braking by the gearing down...If it does then the problem is not the low/rev band..if it does gear down then we know its has to be one of the other circuits..One common area of concern is leaking seals in the front drum which will cause reverse problems but there should be erratic behavior in the 2-3 shift...once these two circuits are ruled out, then all that is left is direct clutch set in OD housing...


Brian

 

Remove the pan and inspect the rear servo/piston, You either have a missing stut or a piston that is crack and not applying the band. But the first thing you may want to do is check the reverse line pressure, before removing the pan.

 

I'll swap rides with the wife and give this a shot on the way to work this morning..

*Edit

Yes the engine brakes at 15mph when shifting from 2 to 1.

 

Do auto stores rent out pressure gauges? Does 250 psi for reverse sound correct? I found good schematics for the 45rfe, but still looking for the 44re.

 

*Edit
Well i figured out that I need pressure gauges C-3293-SP and C-3292 to properly test the transmission, however they are going to cost me $180 for both. The local Advance Auto does not sell or loan said gauges so this looks like an online buy. However for the $180 bucks should I just have a shop do a line pressure test? The upside to buying the gauge is they will work for both trucks we own.

Sorry about the triple post, i meant to edit the last post but made a new one accidentally.

 

Checking Rev pressure is a good idea, but if you have the gearing down effect in Man 1, then the servo is intact......If you do not have the braking effect then any pressure gauge capable of holding 300 PSI attached to a 1/8 NPT thread hose will suffice...

Brian

 

I still have gauges from the old R-12 refrigerant lines that I believe goes over 300 psi, would these gauges be compatible with the right adapter?
Either way I'm going to tackle the fluid change on Friday.

 

yeah it will work, I just would not use it again for AC charging....Do not need any oil in AC circuit..

Brian