M50D transmission
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From: Florida
M50D transmission
My 1988 F 150 was purchased used about 6 years ago. I only use it for odd jobs around home. Rarely on the street so, up to now, was never picky about performance. I have never been able to get into 5th gear and do not understand how it works as an over drive.
I did have a shop replace the clutch and repair the hydraulics. A shift kit and U joints were installed as well. Still it will not go into 5th gear. No grinding or sticking and I can feel it move to the approximate position but will not engage.
It was filled with heavy gear oil when I bought it so have continued to use the same. Yes it leaks at speeds over 40. Never let it get lower than 8 oz.
All other gears shift smoothly. Reverse is perfect and it's on the same shift rail. I have pulled my boat many times with no problem.
Now that I have moved inland from the gulf I would like to get it fixed. Hope to improve fuel consumption.
Any one have a thought as to what may be wrong? Would a good flush and proper oil make a difference? May be cheaper in the long run to keep on driving in 4th.
Thanks for any comments, Bob
I did have a shop replace the clutch and repair the hydraulics. A shift kit and U joints were installed as well. Still it will not go into 5th gear. No grinding or sticking and I can feel it move to the approximate position but will not engage.
It was filled with heavy gear oil when I bought it so have continued to use the same. Yes it leaks at speeds over 40. Never let it get lower than 8 oz.
All other gears shift smoothly. Reverse is perfect and it's on the same shift rail. I have pulled my boat many times with no problem.
Now that I have moved inland from the gulf I would like to get it fixed. Hope to improve fuel consumption.
Any one have a thought as to what may be wrong? Would a good flush and proper oil make a difference? May be cheaper in the long run to keep on driving in 4th.
Thanks for any comments, Bob
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
The M5OD was never a really strong transmission, but they were not junk. They had their uses, but for really light use, nothing really heavy duty. Can you slide it in when stoped. Like put it in OD and slide it in OD, release the clutch a little bit, and see if there is anything there? You might want to take the top cover off of it and see what is going on in there. See if the gear is still there, or whatnot. If you change that transmission, i would swap it out for a ZF transmission, or an aftermarket manual. If it works, and it is in there, the M5OD is fine, but if you are putting a new tranny in it, i would go with a NV4500. I have not used one, but it looks like a really good transmission. Here is their site http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...ear/index.htm.
I change of oil might help, considering i think it is supposed to have ATF fluid in there ( automatic transmission fluid, so naturally it goes in manuals???). I think mercon 3 i what would go in there. Don't quote me on this, but i think the last trannies which take gear oil is the T-18, T-19, and the NP435.
I change of oil might help, considering i think it is supposed to have ATF fluid in there ( automatic transmission fluid, so naturally it goes in manuals???). I think mercon 3 i what would go in there. Don't quote me on this, but i think the last trannies which take gear oil is the T-18, T-19, and the NP435.
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From: Florida
78fordman,
Thanks for the comments and advice. I have to remove the top anyway to replace the plugs. I am sure that is where it leaks.
I tinker with almost any auto problem but transmissions, I am clueless. I do have a Chilton's manual so will give it a cautious look see.
I paid a shop $800 to replace the clutch and repair the hydraulics. A shift kit and U-joints were inastalled as well. You would think they could look inside while it was open.
I just tried sliding it into 5th while stoped. No difference from reverse or any other gear. Gently bumped the cluth while trying. Nothing there. I really don't think it's going all the way into that position. All other gears feel a soft notch when they engage but 5th is a solid stop with no noise of any kind.
I will open it up after Santa goes home. Too much going on now.
Thanks, Bob
Thanks for the comments and advice. I have to remove the top anyway to replace the plugs. I am sure that is where it leaks.
I tinker with almost any auto problem but transmissions, I am clueless. I do have a Chilton's manual so will give it a cautious look see.
I paid a shop $800 to replace the clutch and repair the hydraulics. A shift kit and U-joints were inastalled as well. You would think they could look inside while it was open.
I just tried sliding it into 5th while stoped. No difference from reverse or any other gear. Gently bumped the cluth while trying. Nothing there. I really don't think it's going all the way into that position. All other gears feel a soft notch when they engage but 5th is a solid stop with no noise of any kind.
I will open it up after Santa goes home. Too much going on now.
Thanks, Bob
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Hallettsville, Texas
Hey Bob, I have an 88 F250 with the Mazda 50 tranny in it. My 5th gear grenaded on me once years ago. It didn`t affect any other gears. I can`t remember what it felt like though. I want to say that it just had nothing when I put it in 5th. I don`t remember not being able to get it into position as if I was in 5th. I do remember that I could see where my problem was once I took the top off of the tranny. I wound up getting a rebuild through Ford at that time for around $800 + core. I recently purchased a rebuild manual for the tranny on eBay but I have yet to receive it. When I get it, I will see what I can find in it. If it is gear problems, you can just imagine what`s happening to your other gears and bearings. It does take Mercon ATF. Good luck. Bobby
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What kind of a SHIFT KIT could this mechanic have put into this manual trans? If your into the top end for the reseal on the plugs check the 5th gear lever movement, sounds like it is obstructed with debri or rubber plug parts. Good luck.
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From: Florida
Hi, luckild.
I have no idea as to the "shift kit". Maybe nothing but BS. As I said, I am clueless on transmissions and, as PT Barnum said, "there is a sucker born every day".
The obstruction ocurred to me also. I wondered if its OK to flush and replace the oil with proper ATF. Seems to me it couldn't hurt. Hard to imagine a gear completely missing. Even if it's possible, who would go to that trouble? Also seems that any other condition would cause a lot of grinding etc. Of course, I do not understand how a manual can auto shift up and down with load and or speed either.
Thanks, Bob
I have no idea as to the "shift kit". Maybe nothing but BS. As I said, I am clueless on transmissions and, as PT Barnum said, "there is a sucker born every day".
The obstruction ocurred to me also. I wondered if its OK to flush and replace the oil with proper ATF. Seems to me it couldn't hurt. Hard to imagine a gear completely missing. Even if it's possible, who would go to that trouble? Also seems that any other condition would cause a lot of grinding etc. Of course, I do not understand how a manual can auto shift up and down with load and or speed either.
Thanks, Bob
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From: Florida
Hi, luckild.
I have no idea as to the "shift kit". Maybe nothing but BS. As I said, I am clueless on transmissions and, as PT Barnum said, "there is a sucker born every day".
The obstruction ocurred to me also. I wondered if its OK to flush and replace the oil with proper ATF. Seems to me it couldn't hurt. Hard to imagine a gear completely missing. Even if it's possible, who would go to that trouble? Also seems that any other condition would cause a lot of grinding etc. Of course, I do not understand how a manual can auto shift up and down with load and or speed either.
Thanks, Bob
I have no idea as to the "shift kit". Maybe nothing but BS. As I said, I am clueless on transmissions and, as PT Barnum said, "there is a sucker born every day".
The obstruction ocurred to me also. I wondered if its OK to flush and replace the oil with proper ATF. Seems to me it couldn't hurt. Hard to imagine a gear completely missing. Even if it's possible, who would go to that trouble? Also seems that any other condition would cause a lot of grinding etc. Of course, I do not understand how a manual can auto shift up and down with load and or speed either.
Thanks, Bob
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horton-racing
Hi Bobby, Thanks for the comments. You described my problem. Wonder what you saw when you looked inside. Sounds like it was obvious.
I don't think this old rig is worth a new one. Been driving around in 4th so long, seems normal. I just hoped to get the fuel consumption down, while towing my boat, to something less than the national debt. May not make that much difference.
Bob
Hi Bobby, Thanks for the comments. You described my problem. Wonder what you saw when you looked inside. Sounds like it was obvious.
I don't think this old rig is worth a new one. Been driving around in 4th so long, seems normal. I just hoped to get the fuel consumption down, while towing my boat, to something less than the national debt. May not make that much difference.
Bob
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From: Rocky Creek Ranch
Of course, I do not understand how a manual can auto shift up and down with load and or speed either.
Thanks, Bob
Thanks, Bob
Take the shifter off, open the top lid of the xmision, flush the transmission with lots of paint thinner, put Mercron III back in, it may fix the shift problem, you can also adjust the position of the 5th/rev shift fork by a concentric bolt on drivers side of xmision, there is also a set bolt lower and to the left.
I've never adjusted 5th, there was a thread earlier where someone was going to do that...
Rancher
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Rancher, you got me. I just went out and re-read the notice on the sun visor which is what I was refering to. More than 6 years and I never noticed that is "if" it's an AOD. Other wise just a 5th gear. Duh?. Well any way, it will not go into 5th and I hope it's some crud built up thats stoping it.
You mentioned adjustments that I have not found in the repair manual. Interesting. Got to check that out too.
Thanks for the help, Bob.
You mentioned adjustments that I have not found in the repair manual. Interesting. Got to check that out too.
Thanks for the help, Bob.
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