Another M5od thread.

[spenc938]

I'm looking for some advice here. I have a 1998 Ranger with the 5 speed and it and I are not getting along.

At about 145,000 miles I put in a synthetic Mobil 1 ATF. This helped for maybe a month, and then the transmission got harder to shift then it was before the change.

At 147ish thousand miles I drained the Mobil 1 and replaced it with Redline D4. This was a lot better than the Mobil 1, but it really didn't last too long. By 152k miles (now) the transmission had gotten really bad again. It was often extremely difficult to get it into 1st from a stop, and getting it into 2nd while rolling wasn't really much better. It was also often pretty tough to get it into reverse.

Today I drained the redline and replaced it with Amsoil Super Shift (ART). Someone on bitog had recommended it. I then went for a drive, and it was about the same for a couple of miles. Then it got worse. It is now extremely difficult to get it into first, second, or third regardless of speed. Fourth and fifth feel about the same as always.

The ART only has about 15 miles on it... Does anyone think there is a chance that this could improve with time? How long do I need to give it?

Also, I've read of people putting Lucas Oil Stabilizer in these with some improvement. Anyone think this might be worth a try?

I guess I'm just looking for any suggestions of any kind...? Thanks.

And yes the clutch is fully disengaging. This has been verified by watching it through the hole in the bell housing and by jacking up the rear end and seeing that the wheels don't turn with the truck in gear and the clutch depressed.

 

[barkingspider]

Perhaps try OEM

 

[abycat]

I have the same 5 speed in my truck. Make sure the plug on the top of the transmission is there and intact. I would raise the rear end up and idle it in first with the clutch in just to make sure the nothing is bent like fork or linkage. Are you sure the clutch pedal is going down all the way? If those are good then I would seek out a rebuilder or a replacement transmission. I don't think fluid is going to solve your problem.

 

[sciphi]

I'd drain out the Super Shift and put in something meant for manual transmissions like Amsoil Synchromesh (MTF).

Also, have you looked at a mechanical issue like the cables needing adjustment? All that fluid not fixing the issue sounds like it may be Band-Aiding a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed.

 

[abycat]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'd drain out the Super Shift and put in something meant for manual transmissions like Amsoil Synchromesh (MTF).

Also, have you looked at a mechanical issue like the cables needing adjustment? All that fluid not fixing the issue sounds like it may be Band-Aiding a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed.


no cables in the hydraulic clutch system. But bent items could happen. The trans does call for an atf.

 

[spenc938]

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
Perhaps try OEM


The Mobil 1 was a Mercon fluid.

Originally Posted By: abycat
I have the same 5 speed in my truck. Make sure the plug on the top of the transmission is there and intact.


It is there. And no I am not losing fluid.

Originally Posted By: abycat
I would raise the rear end up and idle it in first with the clutch in just to make sure the nothing is bent like fork or linkage. Are you sure the clutch pedal is going down all the way? If those are good then I would seek out a rebuilder or a replacement transmission. I don't think fluid is going to solve your problem.


I've already done that. Its in the OP...

Yes the clutch is going down all the way.

These transmissions are known for shifting kind of [censored]. I'm not expecting for something to make it like new. But at the very least it would be nice to get it back to what it was before I very first messed with it.

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'd drain out the Super Shift and put in something meant for manual transmissions like Amsoil Synchromesh (MTF).

Also, have you looked at a mechanical issue like the cables needing adjustment? All that fluid not fixing the issue sounds like it may be Band-Aiding a mechanical issue that needs to be addressed.


This transmission calls for ATF, which is what all three fluids I've used were. I do have some Amsoil Synchromesh on hand, but its awfully expensive just to throw fluids at this. Maybe if someone on here has actually used Synchromesh in an M5od?

There are no cables in this system.



To reiterate a few things:

Again, I am not looking for some miracle fluid that will give me a new transmission. I would be happy with getting back to how it was before I ever touched it.

Yes the clutch is fully disengaging.

And does anyone think this will get better? I only have about 15 miles on the Super Shift. I guess I could just go drive around in circles, but it feels horrible to drive. So I'm seeking opinions first.

 

[JamesBond]

Try a mix of pennzoil synchromesh and merconv or all synchromesh, I've had good luck with it in rangers. It's slightly thicker than the ATF that is called for but it works.

 

[1kickbuttranger]

Pilot bearing possibly.
My trans didn't care for M1 too much, I have been using Chevron MD3 (or lately Havoline- which should be the same thing) with good results.

 

[01rangerxl]

If it's really hard to get into gear, the slave cyl may be going out. It's pretty common on these transmissions.

I always ran plain Dex/Merc in my M5OD. Back when they had the gallon jugs of Pennzoil Dex/Merc at Wal-Mart, I would just get one of those for a fluid change and put a pump top on it. I never had any shifting issues, but I sold that truck with only 93K on it (hard miles though).