thanks brad - google says its just under 2 hours from me, but only about 45 mins out of the way of my way upstate for hunting season.

 

amsoil syncromesh

 

Great I'll try some where's the best place to get it thanks

 

amsoil dealer, or get a dealership yourself.
it won't "heal" the transmission but I know on mine it made a huge difference. mine were so bad I bought another zf5 and was going to swap them but after running the syncromesh I haven't changed the trans yet. I have probably 50,000 miles since switching the oil.

 

I was just on there site but am unsure of what to look for. The trans calls for ATF but synchromesh is a manual trans oil. What exactly did you use?

 

here is what I am running

Product Code: MTFQT-EA

Manual Synchromesh Transmission Fluid 5W-30
Formulated for maximum protection in syncromesh transmissions
Designed for manual transmissions and transaxles with synchromesh systems that require light viscosity, non-extreme-pressure fortified oil. Additive technology provides proper friction characteristics for smooth shifting. The ultimate in gear and bearing protection & outperforms motor oils in manual transmissions.

 

Cool. I'll give it a try. 3rd and 4th now require double clutching so anything may help.

 

2 nd and 3rd are what's going bad and I was told that friction modifier would help but thought I'd ask

 

I guess you do not have to deal with cold weather.
That makes for a ruff shifting truck in the northern winters

 

I have rebuilt 2 of those in my own trucks 1 zf5-42 and 1 zf5-47 and both still work perfect. 20k on the 47 and 50k+ on the 42. They aren't hard and synchros aren't very expensive I would try it yourself they don't just explode in your face, but you will need a bearing puller. My experience with those if they have been grinding for long, you will need sliders and possibly gears for the ones that have bad synchros. also plan on a couple shift forks. The bearing puller will save you a bunch of money if your bearings are still good (mine all have been) There is a couple tricks to getting them apart, mini freeze plugs on the top of the trans with springs and detent ***** under them that have to be removed and replaced.... but not overly difficult. Trans parts can be somewhat hard to find, I go through a friend here in Colorado who sells them to me at cost and they really aren't that expensive but finding someone who isn't out to get rich is the key or maybe somewhere online??? Figure out what trans it is you have first zf5-42 pre 97 I believe or zf5-47 97 and after I think. My zf547 has a tag on the side that says synthetic oil only close to the fill plug. I use mobil 1 synthetic atf after rebuild and am very happy with the results!!! Good luck
And I cant speak for any of the snake oil but the only thing I have found that fixes bad synchros is replacing them??

 

the coldest I have been in since using the syncromesh is -5F for a week, I didn't have any issues. I do also drive easy until everything gets warmed up a little.

 

Since my synchros are bad as well in second and fourth, I think I try this synchromesh myself. I currently run the recommended synthetic. Will this new oil make it a little quieter as well?

 

Besides ordering online, does anybody know if amsoil is sold at any of the auto parts stores?

Also is there an alternative ? Maybe something from Lucas ?

 

My first rebuild I did I used non synthetic atf for about 100 miles (zf5-42 doesn't spec synthetic) switched to synthetic atf mobil 1 and soungs great?? so maybe the oil will help the noise in yours too??

 

I did not notice any change is sound with mine, I do run 1 quart over full.