My 1996 f150 5 speed sometimes is hard to get into 1st or 2nd. It doesn't grind just takes a bit of a shove like a stiff detent or something. 2 nd gear is a little noisy like a bearing spinning at low rpm. Any ideas ?

 

The first thing on the M5OD trans is to check the shift pins on the top of the cover. You can do this with the trans in the truck, just remove the shifter boot and there are 3 torx screws facing up at you, remove those and pull the whole stick outta the trans. Inside the hole where you pulled the stick out of, there are 2 pins that come in at 3 and 9 o'clock, see if they are worn out or broken off. This is very common on this trans and you can buy a repair kit on eBay for about $25.

 

Ahh yes, the M5OD and its weak points...If you pull the shifter and the pins/bushings all look good, then it's most likely the shift forks. They can be replaced by pulling back the carpet and removing the trans hump panel. Then pull the top of the trans and replace all the forks while your in there. Also, replace the three rubber plugs in the back with steel ones.

 

I should have said it doesn't do it all the time either, and once in awhile it will grind when down shifting from 3 to 2 at higher speeds

 

It also has 111,000 miles on it

 

I had the same issue...Except...

The issue with pulling it from 1st to Neutral, on a cold morning, the clutch would stick on the floor...

And the same with the shifting issues, except from 4-3...


Replaced the Upper bushing kit (THats been mentioned)

And I replaced the slave cylinder, clutch kit...Flywheel...

ANd now, she's shifting fine..

Check for a leaking slave cylinder...

 

How many miles on yours Wesley?

 

184,000.....She's still a teenie bopper...

 

Lol
I was just seein if it was worth doing to mine with 248,000 on the clock.

 

The one at 9 o'clock is loose I can move it in/out. Up/down and shows wear the other looks good. They should both be tight right ?

 

Doesn't sound good. Is the hole for the pin worn? If not, both pins should be tight. Pick up a whole rebuild kit for the shifter. I got mine from Allstate Gear.

 

Yeah I think the hole is worn, I assume the pins are a press fit into the housing ? I can spin the whole pin

 

I've seen a few with a "little" play, and it doesn't effect shifting. To fix it properly is going to involve some work. You would want a press fit of about 0.002.

You can either:

1. Live with it.
2. Have oversized pins made.
3. Fill and remachine the hole.
4. Get another top for the trans from the JY.