Quick ZF 5spd Question
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Quick ZF 5spd Question
This may be a stupid question, but my 92 F250 has a ZF 5 speed in it and i cannot shift into first unless i am at a dead stop, it has been like this since i bought the truck about a year ago, and as far as i knew it was normal. I did some reading on the ZF S5-42s and everything i saw says "Fully Synchronized" which I assume means synchros on all gears. Am i supposed to be able to shift into first while moving or is 1st gear a solid gear like reverse?
Thanks for the help
Greg-92 F250
Thanks for the help
Greg-92 F250
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
First is synchronized but it is such a low ratio that it is hard to shift into first unless you're really creeping along. Rev matching while double clutching would probably help. How fast are you going when trying to downshift?
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I cant shift into first unless i am at a dead stop or moving less than maybe 2mph, other than that it grinds. Even when i am at a standstill, sometimes shifting into first "Bangs" and jerks the truck forward a bit so I am assuming i just have a bad synchro.
-Thanks for the help
Greg-92 F250
-Thanks for the help
Greg-92 F250
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
Sounds normal. Most transmissions with low first gears like the ZF has will not let you shift to first unless you are barely rolling or at a stand still.
The bang and jurk may come from if your trying to force it into gear before the syncro has a chance to fully mesh.
The bang and jurk may come from if your trying to force it into gear before the syncro has a chance to fully mesh.
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Law, you (or someone else) add some slick stuff like Teflon or stinky
gear oil to your ZF? That can reduce the effectiveness of the synchro
ring to match the two gears' speeds.
Tried shifting my "new" ZF into first while rolling and it worked great! :)
But...
I'm so used to my T18 that it just -seemed- that way I suspect. LOL :)
If it works good at any-speed above absolutely-stopped, the synchro
is working a little. Even all the way stopped on a T18 if you are quick
about it, it can make a gear grinding sound since the one gear-set can
still be spinning inside.
Alvin in AZ
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From: Texas
Anytime i try to shift into 1st while moving(mazda habit) i hear it staring to whined the syncro up and quickly go to second instead. There is almost no situation that i think i would need to down shift to 1st while moving, its just to low.
Im still learning my zf. Its only been in the truck a week or so. Tomorrow will be my first full day to drive it
Im still learning my zf. Its only been in the truck a week or so. Tomorrow will be my first full day to drive it
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Thanks for the tips guys, but i am about 90% sure the synchro is shot. Even if i shift into first really slow it will do the same thing. I dont use 1st gear to often (only on uphill dead stop starts) so i am not too worried about it, but a tranny rebuild is definitely on the list for stuff to get done this summer (4th and 5th both sound horrible under power)
Thanks again for the help
-Greg -92 F250
Thanks again for the help
-Greg -92 F250
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[quote=Alvin in AZ;8771606]x2
Law, you (or someone else) add some slick stuff like Teflon or stinky
gear oil to your ZF? That can reduce the effectiveness of the synchro
ring to match the two gears' speeds.
Put brand new ATF in it in january because of the funny noises it was making. Didn't help.
Law, you (or someone else) add some slick stuff like Teflon or stinky
gear oil to your ZF? That can reduce the effectiveness of the synchro
ring to match the two gears' speeds.
Put brand new ATF in it in january because of the funny noises it was making. Didn't help.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Anytime i try to shift into 1st while moving(mazda habit) i hear it staring
to whined the syncro up and quickly go to second instead. There is
almost no situation that i think i would need to down shift to 1st while
moving, its just to low.
Im still learning my zf. Its only been in the truck a week or so.
Tomorrow will be my first full day to drive it :D
to whined the syncro up and quickly go to second instead. There is
almost no situation that i think i would need to down shift to 1st while
moving, its just to low.
Im still learning my zf. Its only been in the truck a week or so.
Tomorrow will be my first full day to drive it :D
You've got it fiNgured out. ;)
BTDT only it was the other way-a-around I had a '67 Bug and was used
to my '75 pickup with a T18. For that very reason I put a ZF in my '91
Bronco to avoid having to use 1st gear (unless I needed it).
Alvin in AZ
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
The ZF542 i have still has this problem even after a rebuild fyi... the low gear is just to low to down shift while moving. I don't even use mine but maybe 5% of the time...
Also, hope you or a friend have the tools or are ready to pay the shop for the rebuild! These things are a pain in the **** to rebuild! I helped my buddy (ford tranny mechanic) rebuild mine and he cringed when i told him it was going to be a ZF542 i wanted to rebuild... they definatly aren't the old c6 where the only specialty tool you need is the compressor tool... and when i looked into it the tool kit for the ZF are at least $200 minimum!
Also, hope you or a friend have the tools or are ready to pay the shop for the rebuild! These things are a pain in the **** to rebuild! I helped my buddy (ford tranny mechanic) rebuild mine and he cringed when i told him it was going to be a ZF542 i wanted to rebuild... they definatly aren't the old c6 where the only specialty tool you need is the compressor tool... and when i looked into it the tool kit for the ZF are at least $200 minimum!
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Gadsden Purchase
One times out of a hundred at the most for me. (T18 '75 F150)
But I'm glad it's there when I want it or need it tho. :)
Also, hope you or a friend have the tools or are ready to pay the shop
for the rebuild! These things are a pain in the **** to rebuild! I helped
my buddy (ford tranny mechanic) rebuild mine and he cringed when i
told him it was going to be a ZF542 i wanted to rebuild...
for the rebuild! These things are a pain in the **** to rebuild! I helped
my buddy (ford tranny mechanic) rebuild mine and he cringed when i
told him it was going to be a ZF542 i wanted to rebuild...
ZF-S542's are easy to rebuild! No kidding. Don't let all that crap in the
Ford Truck Shop Manual fool you into thinking you need all those tools!
BTDT and it was easy as anything. More straight forward than a rear
axle gear change, for example.
I have the important parts of the shop manual scanned and saved on
the internet but won't put the URL on FTE. :/ I'll email it only. :/
Butthead in AZ
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
When i was looking at pulling mine apart before i put it in the truck i talked to a local transmission guy, probably one of the best guys, and he said that the ZF wasn't really difficult, there are a few tips and ticks to make it easier, but ford really tries to make it seem super intimidating. The tools are nice but not necessary. And most tools could be custom made to make it easier.
So far i love the zf, It shifts great compared to the mazda, 2nd is great for normal driving and 1st is awesome when you need a little more power. It shifts smoothly and tightly its great. I was getting tired of the sloppiness of the mazda.
So far i love the zf, It shifts great compared to the mazda, 2nd is great for normal driving and 1st is awesome when you need a little more power. It shifts smoothly and tightly its great. I was getting tired of the sloppiness of the mazda.
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For now I am planning on having the tranny rebilt at a shop, but i would like to do it myself if i can. I have done engine rebuilds/Swaps Clutches, Axle Bearings and just about anything that doesnt pertain to gears on several trucks and cars. Something about gears has always put me off though. I might just tear into it and bring it to the shop in pieces if I get stuck, seeing as that is what i was originally planning on doing anyway.
Where is a good place to find a rebuild kit/service manual?
Thanks for the advice
Greg-92 F250
Where is a good place to find a rebuild kit/service manual?
Thanks for the advice
Greg-92 F250
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
For now I am planning on having the tranny rebilt at a shop, but i would like to do it myself if i can. I have done engine rebuilds/Swaps Clutches, Axle Bearings and just about anything that doesnt pertain to gears on several trucks and cars. Something about gears has always put me off though. I might just tear into it and bring it to the shop in pieces if I get stuck, seeing as that is what i was originally planning on doing anyway.
Where is a good place to find a rebuild kit/service manual?
Thanks for the advice
Greg-92 F250
Where is a good place to find a rebuild kit/service manual?
Thanks for the advice
Greg-92 F250
Greg,
I would PM Alvin for the link to the ZF manual pages and start there... Don't get me wrong guys I think the ZF was easy enough to work on after already doing a mazda and a C6 so i kinda knew what to expect... The tools in the ford manual do come in quite handy and make quicker work of it. I have also suggested before that people talk to the guys at the local auto parts stores and they usually know someone who does trannys on the side... That way you can pull and install the tranny yourself, be cheaper than shop labor, and they might let you help with the rebuild so you can learn too... Just a thought...