A new month, a new problem... ZF-6 help
#1
03-05-2019, 07:55 AM
A new month, a new problem... ZF-6 help
I honestly didn’t see this one coming as I’ve never had a manual transmission give me any real problem (clutches excluded). Driving into town Sunday afternoon, go to grab fifth, it gives me a little grind as usual... it’s done this as long as I’ve had it, and no gear. I have sixth, and fourth... what happened? Sinc row is my first guess, but I have very little understanding of the working internals of a manual transmission. I’ve been inside a few automatics as they don’t last nearly as long as a manual.
Im also wondering if it’s easier (and cheaper) to fix it, or just replace it?
Im also wondering if it’s easier (and cheaper) to fix it, or just replace it?
#2
03-05-2019, 10:44 AM
Fleet Owner
I honestly didn’t see this one coming as I’ve never had a manual transmission give me any real problem (clutches excluded). Driving into town Sunday afternoon, go to grab fifth, it gives me a little grind as usual... it’s done this as long as I’ve had it, and no gear. I have sixth, and fourth... what happened? Sinc row is my first guess, but I have very little understanding of the working internals of a manual transmission. I’ve been inside a few automatics as they don’t last nearly as long as a manual.
Im also wondering if it’s easier (and cheaper) to fix it, or just replace it?
Im also wondering if it’s easier (and cheaper) to fix it, or just replace it?
As for replacing vs. repair, I cannot answer that and you should seek professional help.
I will tell you that a 4x2 is much more difficult to get than a 4x4. Check out All Star Standard transmissions out of Florida. They have a great reputation from what I have seen.
#3
03-05-2019, 05:05 PM
In the old days, it would have been easier to just go pick up the parts you need from the local junkyard and fix it yourself. I've done that before. Problem is, that was on a 64 pickup with a 3 speed transmission. That transmission was about the size of the tail housing on the ZF-6. There's also some special tools required for the ZF, so a repair shop is in order, or have a reman shipped to you, but then you've still got to deal with that massive transmission.
So the next question is, how old is your clutch? Cheap time to replace it while the transmission is already out.
So the next question is, how old is your clutch? Cheap time to replace it while the transmission is already out.
#5
03-06-2019, 08:29 AM
#6
03-06-2019, 12:19 PM
Fishing around, I found that you had a tranny go bad (2013?) did this save your transmission?
From the above posts, and doing some research, it would probably be easier for me to R&R it instead of ripping into it myself. That is if fresh fluid doesn’t cure the issue. I’m also thinking it could be a bent shift fork, but the same fork covers third (technical 4th) and it goes into gear just fine.
#7
03-06-2019, 02:27 PM
Trending Topics
#8
03-06-2019, 03:26 PM
Fishing around, I found that you had a tranny go bad (2013?) did this save your transmission?
From the above posts, and doing some research, it would probably be easier for me to R&R it instead of ripping into it myself. That is if fresh fluid doesn’t cure the issue. I’m also thinking it could be a bent shift fork, but the same fork covers third (technical 4th) and it goes into gear just fine.
Sit it on the bell housing and split the case.
Then you'll know what you are working with.
#9
03-06-2019, 05:25 PM
Fishing around, I found that you had a tranny go bad (2013?) did this save your transmission?
From the above posts, and doing some research, it would probably be easier for me to R&R it instead of ripping into it myself. That is if fresh fluid doesn’t cure the issue. I’m also thinking it could be a bent shift fork, but the same fork covers third (technical 4th) and it goes into gear just fine.
#10
03-07-2019, 09:14 AM
Im not looking forward to dropping it. It’s a heavy ****, and I don’t have a lift or a trans jack. I have a motorcycle jack that I might be able to modify. I did some digging around, and the ZF6 requires a jig to disassemble and reassemble, and it isn’t cheap. I don’t think I’ll be splitting this one.
Glad to gear it! That gives me hope that I’m not screwed. Haha
Were your symptoms the same?
#11
03-07-2019, 09:18 AM
#12
03-07-2019, 10:47 AM
You can split it with basic hand tools. Don't believe the hype that these are some type of magical transmissions. They're not simple, but it's not rocket science. I had two hours in removing the tail housing, replaced the OD gear and synchronizer and output bearing.
If a fluid change doesn’t fix the problem, then this will be plan B. I better get a backup vehicle working before tackling this kind of project. Besides replacing clutches, I haven’t had the joy of getting into a manual trans.
#13
03-08-2019, 07:16 AM
Let me know if I can help. I have the Ford repair manual printed out and the parts list. I'm definitely not a transmission guru, but as far as removing the tail housing and reassembling it's no harder than popping valve covers.
#14
03-08-2019, 08:10 AM
I really appreciate that! I’ll let you know if it comes down to that.
What bothers me the most is that I called the previous owner, just to find out this trans is only three years old.
#15
03-08-2019, 08:38 AM
Hotshot
Holler if you need another hand. Maybe I can get away for a day. I don't think you're too far from me.