m50d-r1 will not shift into reverse or 5th

[cakes227]

I have a 1989 ranger with an m50r-R1 transmission and one day it would not shift into 5th at all and it would shift into reverse but when I released the clutch it would pop out and grind unless I held the shifter in reverse and let the clutch out very slow. I cut an access panel out of my floor pan and removed the shift cover to see what was going on.

This thing (not sure what its called so ill call it the 5th/reverse lever)

Will move into the reverse and neutral position, but will not move into the 5th gear position.

Here it is in neutral

and in reverse

If anybody can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[escort_gts]

Had the same problem with mine. I had replaced the syncro hub.

 

[cakes227]

Had the same problem with mine. I had replaced the syncro hub.

Do you know how I can tell if this is definately the problem? Also, do you know where I can buy a new synchro hub and is there instructions somewhere on installing it?

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Probably need a new synchro hub or shift fork. Either way you get to tear it down to find out for sure.

It's hard to say from just looking at the pics, but the dog teeth on 5th gear do look a bit "shiny". Chances are the teeth in the hub are ground down to nubs or have a bunch of chunks jammed between them preventing the hub from fully engaging the synchro ring.

You probably need a press to install the new hub. If you can get the trans torn down, you can probably take it to a transmission shop and have them press install it for 50 bucks or something.

 

[escort_gts]

no need to press it. If you can get the transmission apart, the hub just slides apart.

 

[escort_gts]

Do you know how I can tell if this is definately the problem? Also, do you know where I can buy a new synchro hub and is there instructions somewhere on installing it?

Just search the net for it. I think i got mine from a transmission shop from Arizona. Check the local trans shops in your area. As far as instructions, there are exploded views of it also on the net. If I can find them I will post the link on here for you.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

no need to press it. If you can get the transmission apart, the hub just slides apart.

Yes I suppose you're correct if just replacing the outer ring.

Do these have little bits that will fly out at you when you pull the rings off? I slid the hub ring off 5th gear by accident (not a good place to pick it up by) on the main shaft for my Subaru and spent about half an hour trying to find the three little tabs that flew away.

 

[escort_gts]

yes there are three little tabs that will fall out of the synchro hub if not taken out correctly. It happened to me and i wasnt expecting it.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

push clutch in. grab 5th/reverse shift collar and try to manually put in into 5th while you turn the gears. those dog teeth don't look broken to me. compare them to reverse, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

and that "thing" almost looks bent to me.. i don't remember how its supposed to look.

lets get a picture of your shifter bushings is the shifter sloppy at all? you shouldn't be able to move it up and down

make sure the roll pin in the shift fork isn't breaking. you should not be able to wiggle the shift fork on the shaft

 

[escort_gts]

now that I think about it, I did replace the shifter bushing at the same time I replaced the synchro hub. My hub was ate up from to many reverse grinding from the previous owner. The reverse teeth were basicly gone, completely rounded off. The pics above dont really show detail on the teeth.

 

[rboyer]

First of all, just from looking at your first picture I can already tell that you managed to get some dirt inside the transmission just from pulling the top cover. If you do decide to replace 5th/rev by yourself I would HIGHLY recommend that you clean out the transmission. I have a parts washer full of Kerosene that's used 99% of the time on Mazda transmissions. I also use a rechargeable aerosol can full of Kerosene for blasting at higher pressures. If you're not tearing the whole thing down then atleast place it at an angle with the extension housing off and run something through the thing to flush it out. The main key is to have a clean work area and make sure that you put everything back together EXACTLY how it came apart. Some stuff can only go together one way but some can get confusing. For example, if you put the slider on backwards you'll run into problems. There is plenty of information on this site if you search for it.

 

[cakes227]

I have decided to get a junkyard transmission. Anyone know what other model/year vehicles I can get one from except the 88+ 4 cyl rangers? And does it matter what the engine size is?

 

[escort_gts]

Do you know that the synchro hub and seals and gaskets would cost a 1/4 of a used tranny from the junkyard. Plus you don't know what your getting, what condition it is inside. Have you tried to shift it with the lever circled in the first picture???

 

[cakes227]

Do you know that the synchro hub and seals and gaskets would cost a 1/4 of a used tranny from the junkyard. Plus you don't know what your getting, what condition it is inside. Have you tried to shift it with the lever circled in the first picture???

Yes, but I don't know much about replacing transmission internals. Wont I need a gear puller? How much do those cost? And yes, I did try to shift it with that lever.

 

[escort_gts]

no gear puller is needed. Just the basic tools. You will need a large cresent wrench to remove the nut at the end of the mainshaft. Other than that, it's not that difficult as long as you keep everything in order as you take it apart. I took pictures on my phone and layed everything on the bench as i took it apart.