Strange ZF Reverse Issue - Updated

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Dec 26, 2013 | 11:55 AM

#16

strokin'_tatsch

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Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 10,008

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From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmert

There is a spring loaded reverse lock out to keep you from going from 5th to reverse. It is located just under the shift lever tower, in the top left corner if I remember right. Maybe something was binding it keeping you from getting it into reverse. Are your tower hold down bolts tight?

I just saw this response and it is absolutely correct. If you continue to have problems with it, the lock out would be a good thing to look at. I've never personally had a problem with it, but with that lockout in place you can pull as hard as you want on the shifter and it's not going to even try to go into reverse.

Dec 26, 2013 | 09:08 PM

#17

redman84

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Joined: Feb 2010

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From: College Station, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokin'_tatsch

Did you try going into 1st gear and then to reverse?

The only thing I can think of causing people to have reverse syncro problems is jamming them into reverse while still rolling forward...

Yeah I tried going from pretty much every gear into reverse with no luck. I can't actually pin down what finally got it to go in either. Ive really been pretty easy on this trans especially compared to some in my younger years. Im hoping this RP just sheared down bad and a refresh w Amsoil will stretch out its life a bit while I find a 47 to rebuild.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCart

If you change tranny fluid give Redline MTL a try has worked awesome in my ZF-5. Also check your under dash linkage as it maybe that silly little nylon bushing on the clutch linkage rod.

jrc

I've strongly considered Redline D4 because of the specs and MTL because of testimonies but have heard mixed thins so I dunno. Either way I obviously need to get something that's easy in the syncros.

As far as the linkage I did the Hewitt heim joint several years ago but checking it probably would be good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokin'_tatsch

Yeah. I'm going to give that a look when I do the ATF. I reckon Ill pull the shifter to check the lock out and fill it at the same time. To be honest I don't know if ill recognize it being out of place. Maybe I need to pull up William's short throw write up.

Dec 26, 2013 | 09:47 PM

#18

FI460

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Joined: Feb 2009

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From: Yreka, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by redman84

Im hoping this RP just sheared down bad and a refresh w Amsoil will stretch out its life a bit while I find a 47 to rebuild.

I read somewhere not long ago that Royal Purple was hard on syncro's... Think maybe it was Brad that had said it, I'm not sure.

How long have you been running it?

Dec 26, 2013 | 10:02 PM

#19

redman84

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From: College Station, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by FI460

I read somewhere not long ago that Royal Purple was hard on syncro's... Think maybe it was Brad that had said it, I'm not sure.

How long have you been running it?

I believe it. 30k ish or so by now. I was thinking that te manual says 30k service for heavy duty use and more for light use.

Dec 26, 2013 | 10:07 PM

#20

ReBilld

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Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 11,132

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From: Southern West Virginia

Jacob, I hate to hear you're having trans troubles, but it is good to see you around here regular again!

The spring on the lockout may have broken or something. When you pull the tower off, it should be pretty evident if there is a serious problem with it.

Dec 27, 2013 | 11:38 AM

#21

redman84

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From: College Station, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReBilld

Jacob, I hate to hear you're having trans troubles, but it is good to see you around here regular again!

The spring on the lockout may have broken or something. When you pull the tower off, it should be pretty evident if there is a serious problem with it.

Hey man it's good to be able to spend time on here again. It helps me keep up with care and maintenance of my truck a lot better too. At least SO FAR the trans thing hasn't become a huge deal yet.

Once I get some new fluid I'll be able to check the lock out. Is it possible that it could an intermittent issue? I had the problem Christmas day and only again yesterday but a quick shift into 1st and back to R cleared it up. I'm betting on syncros and hoping for the lock.

Dec 27, 2013 | 12:00 PM

#22

TyBragg

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Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 584

Likes: 0

From: Southern West Virginia

Mine will take a fit every now and then and not want to easily go into 1st or reverse. It happens rarely, but when it does, I can hold a little pressure on the shifter into (in your case) reverse, then begin letting the clutch out. Just a little ways out the shifter would slip right into gear. This only happens when i am completely stopped, and again, very rarely at that. I may have some bad syncros...my transmission is an '88 model, so it's hard to tell. But it has less than 200,000 miles on it as far as we know.

Jan 6, 2014 | 01:28 PM

#23

redman84

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Joined: Feb 2010

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From: College Station, TX

I believe it has to be the syncros. And I'm also thinking that it wasn't so sudden. More like I just haven't noticed that there was a growing problem until it was an actual problem. Apparently I need a periscope so I can see better from the inside of my @$$.

ANYWAY, I drained the RP and put in a gallon of Fleetrite Synthetic ATF. Picked it up at the local International Truck dealer for just under $40. It isn't some kind of syncro miracle cure but it definitely shifts better than tired RP. R is rough occasionally but hasn't locked me out and I get a bump shift every now and again in 2 and 3 but it should be ok until I find another trans to build.

The fleetrite is certified in all kinds of applications including TES-295 for Allison transmissions like the Castrol TranSynd that ZF recommends. Part number is FLTATF295G for the gallon suffix Q for quart. I also grabbed a few CPS O-rings while there. Part #1824948C1/F81Z-12B615-BA for International/Ford.

Looks like this:

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Jan 6, 2014 | 03:39 PM

#24

pjwoolw

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 3,168

Likes: 10

From: San Ramon Ca.

Fresh fluid always make a big difference. If you go a different direction in the future the Red Line MTL is the way to go. As stated above. Especially since your not in a particularly cold climate.

When I had the 86 rig with the manual tranny the master slave setup going south caused a similar problem as yours. Also there was a plastic cap like deal on the end of the actuating rod on the new part from Ford. Extending the rod into the fork just a bit farther. Made a big difference having that piece in there. I'm speaking of the slave unit.