Replacing M5R1 Input Shaft on 99Ford Ranger XLT 2WD, 2.5

[Leaky88]

Hello,
While changing my Slave Cylinder I found pieces of Pilot Bearing and the Input Shaft end severally scared up and will destroy a new Pilot Bearing. I’ve had older 70’s manuals transmissions apart but looking for advice from someone who’s done this on a M5R1. From what I’ve read, it “appears” I will not have to take it apart but need to jockey some parts around in order to free Input Shaft and take it out of the Bell Housing. Again, I use the word “appears”. Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Leaky

 

[scotts90ranger]

Unfortunately you do have to take the trans most of the way apart to do that, there's some teardown videos on youtube that are pretty good.

Honestly the hardest part is finding a puller deep enough to get the rearmost bearing off of the output shaft that's behind the big nut, after you get that bearing off you can slide the 5/R gears off and get the output shaft out of the way. If memory serves you have to orient the input shaft just right to get out of the case, there's two sections of teeth missing and that's on purpose...

For the puller I ended up borrowing a Proto two jaw from a coworker and had to make extensions for the arms with some scraps of angle iron and bar stock to go deeper... conveniently the Proto puller has holes for 3/8" bolts on the side which made it easy

 

[Leaky88]

Unfortunately you do have to take the trans most of the way apart to do that, there's some teardown videos on youtube that are pretty good.

Honestly the hardest part is finding a puller deep enough to get the rearmost bearing off of the output shaft that's behind the big nut, after you get that bearing off you can slide the 5/R gears off and get the output shaft out of the way. If memory serves you have to orient the input shaft just right to get out of the case, there's two sections of teeth missing and that's on purpose...

For the puller I ended up borrowing a Proto two jaw from a coworker and had to make extensions for the arms with some scraps of angle iron and bar stock to go deeper... conveniently the Proto puller has holes for 3/8" bolts on the side which made it easy

Thanks. Do you happen to remember if the Nuts are reusable? I ask because Rock Auto listed a Counter Shaft nut beside the listing for the Input Shaft. Again, I appreciate your response and insight. Sincerely Joe

 

[scotts90ranger]

You're not supposed to reuse them but I have without an issue...

 

[broncc]

Yes, sadly its very involved to change the input shaft. You need remove the whole back of the transmission to free up the center bearing carrier. With that out, you can remove the bearings for the counter shaft. This lets it sit low enough in the case to pull out the input shaft.

I have a write-up here on how to do it without a deep puller. If you're very careful the bearing comes off fine with no damage to the reverse gear.