1989 BII Tranny Grinding

[Walking Hill]

Hello, I'm looking to buy a 1989 Ford Bronco II. It's got a 2.9L Fuel-Injected V6. The Transmission is a 5-Speed Manual. I took it for a test drive today and it sounds like the transmission grinds. The current owner said it started grinding about a year ago and hasn't gotten any worse since then. There appears to be a leak either from the transfer case or the housing(it might run back to the TC(I didn't look)). When I press in the clutch, it quiets down but still grinds a bit. It doesn't grind in 4th gear, but does in 5th(OD). I'm just wondering if I need to replace the seal or if it's something else. I am of some knowledge about automotives, but have mechanic friends. If you could please tell me what I need to do. Give a website showing what I need to buy and instructions on how to do it. Thank You in advance.

[kernel-panic]

Sounds like the synchros are just about shot inside the transmission. First, you'll have to identify which 5-speed yours has:

Ford Ranger Manual Transmissions at The Ranger Station > tjere os a LOT of info on TRS in their tech library pages....

Then, you'll have to locate the parts. Not sure if drivetrain.com has the parts you need... depending... I think they have the T-K 5 speed rebuild kits

Manual Transmission Parts Overhaul Kits Standard Transmissions get the correct part the first time!. - Drivetrain.com

Hope this helps some

[Walking Hill]

i was looking at drivetrain.com and it appears to either be a MITSUBISHI FM145 / 146 / 132 or a MAZDA MR51. It says the Mitsubishi has a bottom loaded case and the mazda has a top loaded case. I'll go look at it being I havent bought it yet. Would there be another place I could find it cheaper?

UPDATE: I don't have a ride to go check it out, but I did some research and I'm about 95% sure it's the Mitsubishi FM146. If it's that, would you recommend swapping for the Mazda MR51 or a different one?

[Rangerman Stan]

Does the grinding noise happen when the truck is sitting still in neutral and idling? If so, the noise could be related to either the throw out bearing for the clutch, or a bearing in the transmission. However, since you mentioned that the grinding is not there when you're in 4th, but is when in 5th, then it's a bearing in the transmission. I had a transmission problem with the same symtoms on my 90 Ranger 2wd tranny over 15 years ago and had the bearing on that 5th gear shaft replaced. The easier thing to do now would be to just replace the tranny with either a good used one or a rebuilt. If you have the tranny removed for replacement or bearing replacement it would be a good time to replace the throw out bearing and clutch, plus check out the flywheel and get it resurfaced. Mine is the Mitsubishi. Probably go with the Mazda.
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[Walking Hill]

thx, i know i have this same post in the ranger & b-series board. its in both because i didnt get a response in here for awhile so i thought id put it in a more active thread