M5OD Loose Gearshift

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 5, 2003 | 12:35 AM

whatthemonkey

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: Hobbs, America

M5OD Loose Gearshift

Hello all,
Recently the gearshift in my '88 F-150 (M5OD trans.) broke loose. I can still find all 5 gears and reverse, however, the shifter wabbles all over the place and feels almost as if it is in neutral in all gears. I removed the rubber boot and foam and found a broken metal ring. Does anyone know if this is what holds the shifter steady or how to fix it? I greatly appreciate any help anyone can provide.

-----------------------------------------------------
1988 Ford F-150 Custom
300ci I6 with 5-spd standard
Custom Wheels
Alpine CD Receiver w/ XM Satellite Radio
JL Audio VR Revolutions in the doors
Alpine 6x9 Rs behind the seat
JL Audio 12W6 powered by a
Phoenix Gold ZX350
------------------------------------------------------

Feb 5, 2003 | 12:14 PM

winfordr

Posting Guru

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 1,124

Likes: 1

From: Rural Florida Panhandle

M5OD Loose Gearshift

Go to your Ford dealer and buy a repair kit. It consists of some plastic bushings and spring washers.
It will cost about $15.

You will need to drive out a pin that goes cross-ways in the neck where the shifter fits. Be careful and don't crack the aluminum case.

I did this on a 92 F150 and also a 91 Explorer. It tightened up the shifter like new, and I never had another problem with it.

Feb 5, 2003 | 12:52 PM

dbrown13

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 291

Likes: 1

From: Central Texas

M5OD Loose Gearshift

the pins back in place put a bit of loctite on them before you drive them back in place

Feb 7, 2003 | 10:44 PM

monarchservices

New User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

M5OD Loose Gearshift

My truck, a 88 f150 has the same problem and with the engine off I can find the gears okay but when driving, 3 gear grinds and some times it goes into 5th instead of 3rd gear. Did you have similar problems or just the shifter being loose. I also found a broken metal ring when pulling the shifter out.
Thanks for any input, Warren

Feb 8, 2003 | 01:05 AM

whatthemonkey

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: Hobbs, America

M5OD Loose Gearshift

I do not have any gear problems at all... third is somewhat challenging to find because the shifter has nothing keeping it from turning and pivoting around. I talked with a service guy at my Ford dealer and he said it was the pins (which Ford conveniently doesn't sell any more) or the rings directly below the gearshift in the transmission. I also found a broken ring when I removed the shift boot; I think it just held the top of the rubber boot up. Anyway, I will pull my gearshift out tomorrow and reply with what I find.

As for the grinding: you might check your firewall behind the clutch pedal... mine cracked and I had to weld a piece of metal to close the gap so that my clutch would completely disengage. It has cracked back open and now my pickup takes off with the clutch pedal 1/2" off the floor. It was a Ford service bulletin at one time, so Ford probably has a kit for it.

Thank everyone for their input and help; I appreciate it greatly.

Feb 13, 2003 | 05:19 PM

whatthemonkey

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: Hobbs, America

M5OD Loose Gearshift

I checked my local Ford dealer for the kit or the parts, and the parts guy told me Ford does not "service" that part any more. He couldn't even give me a part number, so after a few days of searching on the internet and local transmission shops I finally found similar pins at an International Truck dealership. I had to shave some metal off the end for it to fit, but after I got them to fit it tightened up the tgearshift perfect.

Thanks to everyone for the input. I appreciate your time.

Feb 13, 2003 | 08:00 PM

Diesel_Dummy _

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 305

Likes: 0

M5OD Loose Gearshift

i got the part # for this kit somewhere , its just the pins and a nut , 25 bucks or something , you can still get the parts , tell your parts guy to look harder.