another problem

[djk]

As i stated in one of my earlier threads, i had a fear that my transmission(fm146) was going to go soon. My fears are starting to become a reality. just a few days ago, my synchro bearings went for 4th gear(best gear i had). at least i think it's the synchro bearings, when i'm in fifth and shift down to 4th, it just pops out, and every once in a while i'm going slower in 4th it'll pop out. but that's just ocasionally. i can live with this because double clutching works 9/10 times for downshifting from 5th. So how much longer until the whole thing goes? because i'm not going to rebuild until i HAVE to. I also wanted to know what's the best site for rebuild kits. i looked at this site: http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cat...aul_kits/ford_fm145_fm146__overhaul_kits.html
but i don't know if its a good and reputable site. it says if you buy the upgraded kit for the fm146 you get the new and improved bearing sleave which is the problem most of these trannys had, so it looks like a good deal but i want to hear from you guys. Any suggestions?

 

[djk]

any one?

 

[rusty70f100]

I'd start looking for an M5OD to swap in right now. The FM145/146 transmissions are junk to begin with and will remain junk. They can die in many interesting and frustrating ways. Why waste any time or money on it?

If you're going to rebuild something, don't waste your time on junk. Find an M5OD and rebuild it while you're driving around waiting for your Mitsubishi FM to die.

From what I understand, the fix from drivetrain.com only fixes the 5th gear problem.

 

[djk]

Rusty, Which one is cheaper though? i'm a teenage kid that doesn't have alot of money and probably won't be owning this vehicle for the rest of my life. My dad found this deal for a rebuilt fm146 with a 5 year warranty for 650$ if we do all the work, 1100$ if he does the work. but we've taken the tranny out before so it shouldn't be a problem. So now i'm thinking about calling around for a M50D like you said, but how much would it cost to make the neccessary changes to get that M5 in there if any? and how much more do one of these M50D's cost?

 

[adsm08]

I bought a good used M5OD, 1354 transfer case, block plate, and used clutch (that I didn't use) for $500. Changes to swap will be minimal, and most of the swap parts are things you'd have to buy anyway, you just need a different year to get the right parts.

 

[rusty70f100]

I bought my used M5OD at the junkyard for $200. I think that's probably about right, maybe a little high, for a 4x4 M5OD. The junkyard had an FM145 ready for me for $100 though. So the M5OD transmissions will cost a bit more, but you're also getting a better transmission. I've been running it the way it came from the junkyard for the last 20,000 miles. You can tell it's been well used, but it works alright.

If I had it to do again, I'd probably go ahead and rebuild it before I put it in. I was in a hurry, and it works ok. I took a risk with a junkyard transmission that came off the ground in a shed, but I was ready to deal with it if it didn't work.

It is my opinion that the M5OD is actually a fairly stout transmission when used behind a 2.9L V6.

There's a write-up here about the rebuild:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248249

To swap one in, you might need to modify the floor plate. You'll also need a different hydraulic clutch line. I think the one I used was for a '90 Ranger. The routing is a bit different too, as it goes through a hole in the frame.

 

[djk]

thanks for the replies! And ya the lowest we can a tranny around here in WI like the M5 IN A JUNKYARD is 450, but we haven't searched through everything yet. i think my dad(who kinda makes the decision) wants to just buy the rebuilt fm146 from a reputable tranny place. I kind of agree seeing as it will have a 5 year warranty on the tranny, and who's to say i'll have it 5 years in the future? and if something does go wrong in that catagory, i should be set. But options are still open

 

[djk]

Ok well now i can't get into 4th at all, any last tricks you guys can give me to get it into 4th? otherwise i'm just going to park her until i have money for the repairs. Gosh this sucks.

 

[AgPete139]

Syncros could be bad. As far as tricks go, just make sure that your hydraulic lines are completely bled of air first. Air gets in and makes this harder. The trick though? I usually just go into a different gear to line things up and then slam it in the gear you need (4th). This is my problem with reverse though.

I will actually upgrade to the M5-HD when my tranny goes out...

Good luck...


Pete

 

[djk]

Ya i've tried slamming it in as hard as i could, it just won't go in, it is the synchros for sure, i'm not going to even try with the hydrolic lines, i'm just going to park her until i get the money, ya if i had the money i'd upgrade to a M5 but the fm146 thats going bad right now has lasted 146000 miles, so if i can get that out of the new rebuilt one, i'll be set haha.

 

[djk]

Well now i parked the ranger until i get the money for the fix, but i'm kind of curiouse about something. when i was driving it every time i got out of fifth, my clutch pedal would have no pressure. like the clutch was gone. but it came back up when i pumped it. I want to see what would cause that/