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ZF5 problems

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Old Apr 12, 2015 | 11:03 PM
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sternerboy
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ZF5 problems

my pick up seems to have really bad transmission problem I just put a new clutch Presser plate and fly wheel and the trans is only about one year old and it is still having problems going into 3rd gear I am out of ideas on how to fix it. It normally does OK when the trans is not worm. Can anyone help with this problem?
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 09:09 PM
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wils3825
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Does it just not want to go in to gear? Does it go "in" but not fully? Describe the problem(s) you're having with it.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by wils3825
Does it just not want to go in to gear? Does it go "in" but not fully? Describe the problem(s) you're having with it.
The truck does go into gear but not easily it grinds real bad when the transmission is wor.. but when the trans is cool it goes in just fine... maybe 5000 miles on all components,clutch,fly wheel,pressure plate,master and slave cylinder... the only thing I have not replaced Yet is the bushings in the pedal box. do you have any other ideas?
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 10:41 PM
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ved0303
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sounds to me like worn synchronizer in the trans
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 10:43 PM
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This has happened in all three transmissions I have put in it but only in third gear?
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 11:06 PM
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ved0303
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I've heard a lot of people who have had the 3rd gear synchro go out. It must be something to do with the design of the zf5
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 11:07 PM
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Is there an aftermarket option to fix this?
 
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Old Apr 14, 2015 | 11:23 PM
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ved0303
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hmm not sure. my guess would be no, just replace the synchro but maybe someone who has dealt with this before can chime in on that?

I have heard that the zf5 does better with certain oils. A lot of people like royal purple but I always run the expensive Mobile 1 stuff that's 10 bucks a quart and I've never had any problems with my trans.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 11:12 AM
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ditch the atf and put 4 quarts of redline MTL in through the shifter hole.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 11:20 AM
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What weight of the Redline are you running?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 12:52 PM
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 12:58 PM
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Third gear gets used the most. That's why it goes out more frequently than the others.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 03:26 PM
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I understand 3rd gear gets used a bunch but Should I see this wear withing a year of buying a new transmission? Does anyone know how hard it would be to transfer it time the E40D?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 03:37 PM
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Sterner ditch the atf and run the redline. You will see a big difference in shifting as long as your bushings are good and the rod eye for the slave cylinder is not worn where it attaches to the clutch pedal. Get a flash light and go through all the points of movement for the clutch pedal. Last, it's not a sports car so downshifting has to be done under the correct speed. I had the same problems with my ZF getting rid of the atf made my truck a much more pleasant drive.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2015 | 03:39 PM
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I ran synchromax from Royal purple...6 qts (2 qts over) I bet you can get 8 in there. I think there can be something said that 3rd gear in every ZF-5(with some miles on it) I have driven is finiky or grinds ... Mine did, just rebuilt it and its gone....but I'm sure it will come back! Changing oil might help a tiny bit, but the grinding will not go away. Your synchros are shot and no matter how hard they try.... they will stay shot.

Using a good oil at first will help with durability. Mine was having issues with third and 4th, and they was no such thing as down shifting unless 5 to 4th... and that wasn't all too fun. synchros were completely done.
 
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