Weak Manuals
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From: Mass
Weak Manuals
I was looking at the specs for my 2002 Explorer, which I'm happy to say has a manual transmision (very fun to drive), but I noticed that it's payload and towing is much less than the 4.0L Auto. Not surpising considering this seems to be the trend over the past several years in just about everything.
My question is what is the weak link in the manual drivetrain? Is there anything that can be done to beaf it up a little? I've noticed the M5OD has been used in the F-150 so it can't be that big of a wussy tranny, is it? Are they building manual's cheaper and weaker every day or just puting light duty clutches in front of them? It seems to me that were the M5OD is made by Mazda that it's really a car transmision that Ford is now putting in trucks?
On an added note I'm very disapointed to see that there is no manual offered in the 2004 F-150. I hope the new Lightning will have the Tremec 6spd like the concept.
My question is what is the weak link in the manual drivetrain? Is there anything that can be done to beaf it up a little? I've noticed the M5OD has been used in the F-150 so it can't be that big of a wussy tranny, is it? Are they building manual's cheaper and weaker every day or just puting light duty clutches in front of them? It seems to me that were the M5OD is made by Mazda that it's really a car transmision that Ford is now putting in trucks?
On an added note I'm very disapointed to see that there is no manual offered in the 2004 F-150. I hope the new Lightning will have the Tremec 6spd like the concept.
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Does anyone know if there are any good manuals that will bolt up to the 4.0L SOHC. A T56 would be nice, I could use 2 Over Drivers 5th on mine isn't low enough. But that's a project for a few years from now, gotta finish college first and pay back those student loans
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Would it be a good idea to use Royal Purple Sychromx, it's a synthetic manual transmision fluid for use in manual transmision that call for ATF.
I read one of the tech articals that said to replace the rubber plugs in the top of the transmision, does this affect all M5OD's or just certain years? Does it need to only be done once, or should it be done reguraly, and how often should it be done? My Explorer is a 2002 and has about 12,300 miles on it.
I read one of the tech articals that said to replace the rubber plugs in the top of the transmision, does this affect all M5OD's or just certain years? Does it need to only be done once, or should it be done reguraly, and how often should it be done? My Explorer is a 2002 and has about 12,300 miles on it.
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From: North Texas
I haven't worked on an M5OD yet that didn't have the rubber plugs. When I rebuild them I put in steal plugs, but that's tough to do when the transmission is still in the vehicle. Easiest thing to do is pull the plugs out, clean off the oil residue, then put silcone on them and reinstall. I used to do that in the early days and never had a problem. The rubber plugs definately are the weekest link because they will eventually shrink and allow the oil to leak out. As far as the Royal purple, I have never used any but I've heard they have a really good product.
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I don't really know how long it takes for them to shrink, I usually get them after it's too late. If my vehicle were about 2 or 3 years old then I'd probably be doing it. As far as part #'s don't worry about replacing them, just take them out, put silicone around them and stick em back in. That will fix it for good. You have to take them out though, you can't just glob it on the outside. Only mentioning that because I see it a lot.
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The M@z!@ M5OD is worthless as a truck transmission, and the Ford engineers associated with its use should be flogged repeatedly about the head and neck! I just removed mine last week and replaced it with a ZF 5-spd out of an F250, now that is a transmission I can trust. Oh and by the way, the fluid is not the weak point since mine has never leaked, it was serviced by trusted personnel (ME!), and has never been low on fluid. My M5OD failed twice, the first time it was rebuilt but this second time it is headed for the scrap yard! I hate it enough that I wouldn't mind going through the trouble of arranging to have it added to the scrap mix at work and watching it melt! Oh yeah, I do suggest replacing the top seal when you do the plugs since you are there already, and I have known guys that had to do it later down the road when it started leaking. Any of you who like the M5OD can save mine from a fiery death for $100 obo, it still works but it sounds like one of the bearings is going. Good luck!