If you don't have a computer hard drive lying around, try the #15 block magnet. That's what I used. It has a strength of 25 pounds. They are $3 each. I use two at each location.

 

Changed the lubricant in my 5-speed manual transmission last evening. About a 15 minute job, but took me about 45 minutes because I let it drain thoroughly while I enjoyed another adult beverage, etc. I could almost swear that it shifts more cleanly and crisply now. Could almost sense a smile from that transmission on the way to work this morning.
2002 XLT supercab, 4.0L, 5-speed manual, 4X4.
Truck has a little less than 13,000 miles. There was an accumulation of debris on the drainplug magnet which was of an expected amount, and the particles were much smaller than anticipated. Guess things are going well inside that transmission.
I highly recommend this procedure.

By the way, the transfer case fluid was changed by local Ford dealer last week when they replaced the leaking seals, etc., so I'm good to go. Expect I'll change it all again at 30,000 miles. Cheap insurance.
Appreciate this forum and all the knowledge y'all have shared with me. Thank you.

Thumper47

 

When I changed the fluid in my 2000, it shifted better afterward as well... Probably has to do with the friction modifiers present in the ATF and their effect on the synchros, but that's just my .02

Oh, and for the record, the stock fluid was definately red, and was definately ATF.

 

.....................deleted wrong thread

 

My Ford Mazda trannies always shift better on Redline MTL than with ATF. The MTL is about like a 30 weight motor oil, where the ATF is about like a 20 weight motor oil. 1995 F150 fine on MTL for 70,000+ miles, always notchy on ATF but shifts smooth as butter on MTL. My 1984 F150 ran well over 100,000 miles with the manual tranny filled with 10w40 motor oil, though I don't recommend that.

 

There are several variants of the Mazda built M5OD-R1
but in regards to shift quality with different fluids Gear oil
or any oils thicker than Mercon tend to "float" the synchor rings and make them LESS effective.

Particularly on the later transmissions (l1996-ish) after ford switched to carbon fiber faced synchro rings.

The earlier rings were serrated rings made of brass and allowed
thicker oil to escape, the "plastic" rings tend to have more difficulty
allowing the oil to escape so that the synchro can engage the "cone"
on the

I also find that the Mercon-V that ford recommends (because they eliminated
the earlier Mercon and Mercon-III*) degrades shift quality

The earlier Mercon works "Better" than the thinner synthetic-base Mercon-V

Also remember than "thicker" oils will run hotter because of the normal "shearing" action against the oil inside the transmission
and this is an issue because there are plastic parts inside the
transmission that can be adversely affected by this heat.





* Yes there really was a "Mercon III".

I have a Motorcraft brand bottle of Mercon-III sitting on my desk
to prove it isn't a member of the unicorn family.

Well... actually that's not true... It is sitting UNDER my desk.