A co worker of mine that owns a 1993 ranger with a manual trans was never warned about the shift rail plugs leaking. He has 120k on his truck and the plugs leaked the fluid out and it crapped out. It cost him $1500 to get it rebuilt.
Just a heads up to the other guys with a manual to check the fluid level and for leaks.

 

Thanks for the reminder.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the leaking plug to become a problem? I guess what I really want to know is how often I have to check them. It ain't fun to be rolling around in a parking lot in Maine in the winter, lemme tell ya!

 

just check them when you are changing the oil. eventually it will become obvious when the rear end of the tranny is covered in oil, but to catch it sooner. reach your hand up there and make a swipe across them with your finger. you shouldnt have any oil on it of course. also try turning them. they shouldnt turn very easily, if they do replace them.

 

Where exactly are they? That might help someone. I had mine replaced by my mechanic so I dunno.

Good warning Jim.

 

There's two types of M/T's on Rangers, those that are currently leaking oil and the rest are just on the verge of it. This has been a problem for well over a decade. Most guys will simply replace the neoprene plugs with either brass plugs or small soft plugs. A few replace them with the same thing; makes no sense to me. Why would a guy want to look forward to having to make the same repair twice .

 

I have a link in the tech info thread with pics.

 

I have to ask. This problem is obvious and widespread. Why doesn't Ford just replace them with brass ones in the new trannies? It doesn't seem like the M5OD is going anywhere.

 

I don't know if the brass plugs are expensive, or what would be involved in installing them. Ignoring the leak was not an option I would I would feel comfortable with, so I opted to replace the rubber plugs because it was extremely easy and inexpensive. I was done in 15 minutes, including clean up. The three plugs were about 5 dollars each at the ford dealer. Here's the actual part number if you need it: 1L5Z-7A107-AA. You will need three of them.



1) I pulled the truck up on to my ramps (I have two sets, so used them front and rear).

2) Wiped the transmission case off with a rag, and pulled the three plugs out with a needle nose pliers.



3) Installed the new plugs making sure to fully seat them (Use a tiny bit of transmission fluid to lube the plug if you can't get it in).

4) Topped the fluid off in the transmission using a small hand pump to fill it from underneath the truck.


You can also use a suction gun - these are real handy to have around the garage...


Done! No more leaking. Perhaps not a permanent fix like brass plugs as others have suggested, but it should be good for a few years I would think!

I have seen information that says you need to open the access cover in the truck cab to expose the top of the transmission, then remove the top cover of the tranny to install the plugs (with some silicone sealer). Maybe that would be the 'proper' way to do it, but I decided to forego all that and just slap them in externally.

I will be keeping an eye on the transmission to see if they leak...

 

I bought some small steel soft plugs from Kragen a while back but i haven't gotten around to installing them in my trans. They were like $.75-$1 each,