I have a 97 ranger, 2.3, 5 speed. 210,000 miles. I just bought the truck a few weeks ago and just like clock work the tranny starts to fall apart. With that kind of mileage, I guess it is due for a overhaul. The problem with it is becoming harder to shift. It feels like the synchroses are worn out. Is there a web site that might have a break down of the tranny?. I believe the tranny is the M5. Is there a prefered site for overhaul kits? Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

Welcome to FTE.

I'll see if I can get things started, so lets think about this some more.

Could be that the clutch isn't releasing completely. Maybe the clutch master cyl system is low on fluid, or needs to be bled & or the free play adjusted ??? Bleeding the system is tricky, so if the previous owner didn't do a good job, trapped air could cause incomplete de-clutching & shift problems.

Maybe the tranny has the wrong lubricant in it, should be Mercon, or Multivehicle fluid like Mercon/Mercon V, not high viscosity hypoid differential gear lube.

Or the tranny fluid level is low????

All of the above can mess with the syncros operation & shift feel or quality.

If it's low, it probably is leaking somewhere, so the rubber shift rail plugs on the side of the tranny case & the front & rear seals belong on your suspect list for inspection.

Some thoughts for pondering, let us know what you find.

 

You are correct on the transmission in your truck. It is an M5OD-R1. Is the transmission noisy in all gears except 4th? Is it hard to get into first after a stop? The rubber plugs Paw Paw are reffering to are on the top of the transmission at the back of the top plate where the shift rails ride.
If you have never rebuilt a manual transmission before then have someone else rebuild it or find some help. If you decide to rebuild it yourself then go to the local transmission shop and ask for a rebuild kit for the M5OD-R1. You will get bearings, seals and sychronizers. But before you go and order up the rebuild kit you will need to pul the transmission apart to see if your "pocket bearing" is bad and has worn the input and main cluster shaft. This bearing rides inside the input shaft and keeps both that and the main true with one another.
Any questions just ask I have rebuilt several of these transmissions over the years.

 

I changed the fluid and measured how much came out and it had plenty of oil in it. I did fill it back up with Penzoil Synchromesh to see if it would make a difference. It didn't. Going to change back to Mercon V. The fluid level for the clutch is good. I'm not sure how to bleed that kind of a system. I've never had a truck with a hyd. clutch. I need to find a good service manual, any suggestions? I have rebuilt a manual tranny a long time age. It was a muncie out of my chevelle. But that was back in 1982. Is there tech manuals out there that give a good break down of this tranny? I've given a lot of blood over the years working on cars and trucks. Thanks for the reply, any more info would be great.

Thanks