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Old Sep 17, 2004 | 10:36 AM
  #1  
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Michael Littman
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Need M5OD Advice

I just dropped my truck off at the mechanics shop where I work. They will be able to drop the M5OD but will likely not be able to repair it. To our ears we think there are some damaged bearings in the transmission. I am assuming this means a total rebuild of this unit. Here are my questions. Assuming a total rebuild is in order about how much should this cost (ballpark figures) and any suggestions to places to bring the removed transmission to have it worked on? Places to avoid? Am I better just going to Auto-Zone or something like it and taking a rebuilt unit and using my transmission as a core? For the record my truck has been a commuter all its life and has never been used to tow things or as a work truck. Therefore I am of the mind that my transmission might have less wear than one that came off a work truck and was rebuilt. Any advice would be appreciated!
 
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Old Sep 17, 2004 | 05:59 PM
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Those trannys have two small plastic pieces on the top of the trans and they go bad causing the trans to loose fluid at a slow rate. This could have been the cause of the failure. I have only read this info and have not experienced it myself.

I have seen people selling these trannys cheap and if you have a 4X2 then you should be able to find one cheap. The 4X4 set up is a little harder to find. The core shop near me sells them rebuilt for around $500, if I recall correctly. Ebat is a good place to see what the tranny builders are selling rebuilt units for. Don't forget you would having shipping costs on the new trans and maybe even on the core trans to them so it may still be cheaper to have yours repaired.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 06:25 PM
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RTM,
Thanks for the feedback. I am fairly certain the transmission is toast and will, at the very least need rebuilding. I cannot find rebuilt transmissions in Florida for under $900. Does anyone out there have a specific place, name or address I can go to get a rebuilt transmission for quite a bit less than this? I really only have about $500 or so to put forward on this project. Anyone? Please!
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 06:54 PM
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Try http://car-part.com/ You can select by state and by specific model/part.

Are you looking for a 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive trans?
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by RTM
Try http://car-part.com/ You can select by state and by specific model/part.

Are you looking for a 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive trans?

I am looking for 2 wheel drive. I just looked at ebay, on your suggestion, and have a question. I have a 1994 4.9L F150. The truck is not in front of me so I cannot look at it. Would that year and size engine take the M5OD or the M5R2? From what I am seeing on ebay it appears the M5R2 is the correct transmission with the M5OD being for the Ranger. Is this correct? I will check out the link you provided.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 07:17 PM
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By the way I am fairly certain the bearings on my transmission failed due to the use of gear lube and not ATF. The kids at school who are taking it off for me (under the supervision of our shop teacher) report to me that the lube came out black and burnt smelling. Albeit the transmission has 170,000 miles on it I would not expect it to fail like this until much later. I had the clutch replaced last year and gear lube was put into the transmission in place of ATF. It failed about 4,000-5,000 miles later. Maybe it was just its time to fail or maybe it was the lack of ATF. We shall see when we get it off. Is it possible to rebuild the transmission at home with normal tools or will I need some huge press to get the bearings in place?
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 08:18 PM
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If there was gear oil in that trans then that's for sure the reason it failed!!!!!!!!

As for which trans you need? I have no clue what the difference is between the two you mentioned. I have always been under the impression that the M5OD was the 150 trans. The only difference I know of is a pre 92 trans will have a speed-o cable hook up as 92 and later have the VSS sensor for the electronic speed-o located on the rear axle. if you did get one with a speed-o cable hole just plug it.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 08:46 PM
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Can the M5OD be rebuilt by the home mechanic with normal tools? Where would one obtain the parts to rebuild it?
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 09:03 PM
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The M5R2 is the M5OD for F-150s, and the M5R1 is the M5OD for Rangers. Same tranny family, different cases and ratios.
 
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Old Sep 20, 2004 | 09:49 PM
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Yeah that is what I reckoned. I have found a company selling what looks like a pretty complete rebuild kit for my transmission. Again, my questions; can the M5OD be rebuilt with normal tools or are special tools, presses, etc needed to take it apart, etc? If it can be rebuilt with normal shop tools like would be found in a home shop I would like to buy the kit and take a shot at having it rebuilt by the kids at work. Any suggestions?PLEASE?
 
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Old Sep 21, 2004 | 05:02 AM
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I can't promise when I can look at my book that I bought that shows you how to rebuild trannys. If I have time tonight I will take a look at it for you. I know the ZF trans needs a couple of special tools but I never read the M5OD trans.

I also would be prepared to find the trans in worse shape than you think it will be. Depending on how hot those bearing got they could have done more damage to major components not included in a rebuild kit. I would take it apart first then go from there.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2004 | 05:40 AM
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Ok I am appreciative of all advice and help that has been profered.
 
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Old Sep 21, 2004 | 10:57 PM
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You can also retrofit a T-18 4 speed. Might be cheaper. Not sure but you might have to modify clutch hookup.

What on earth was Ford thinking when they put a 5sp in a big truck WITHOUT a granny low first gear ?

I had a 92 F150 with the I-6 and M5od with 2.75 rear. Best engine Ford ever made, but was worthless as a truck with the M5od and freeway gears.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 12:25 AM
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You can rebuild it at home, but there are a couple of things that you will have to take to a machine shop to get pressed on and off. We just had one done in Tucson for 400 with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.
 
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 01:23 AM
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The M50D does have a granny first. Second gear is just barely higher than first in the 4R70W.
 
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