Rough Shifting Into Reverse (M5OD)

[srisitt]

New to me 91 4.0L Ranger with an M5OD. I've noticed it will occasionally shift roughly into reverse, making a harsh clunk as it goes into gear, with the clutch still fully disengaged. It doesn't happen every time, most of the time it shifts in smoothly. I don't understand why this would only happen occasionally, wouldn't it consistently shift rough if the gear was worn? It's only when shifting into reverse, other gears are fine.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

I would imagine your slave cylinder or pressure plate is getting worn out. The pressure plate fingers aren't depressing as far as they should and it's letting the clutch grab ever so slightly. Just enough to grind reverse gear. Or it could be something else in the clutch system being worn. Improperly bled clutch hydraulics, etc..

One thing you can try is to shift into 5th gear right before you shift in to reverse, without releasing the clutch in 5th. Every single time. On the Tremec T5 (not used in Rangers) transmissions this helps avoid any grinding in reverse because they use the same synchronizer. I'm not sure if the M5OD is the same in that regard, but it's worth trying, and if it works then it would be a good habit to develop.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

If I’m not mistaken. A good m5 should have a lockout between 5th and reverse.

 

[Shran]

There is a lockout but if you go into 5th, then back to neutral, then into reverse you'll avoid the lockout. It's only there if you go straight down from 5th to reverse.

My M5ODs have done this in the past too. I'm not sure if it's a sign of a problem or not, I suspect not. I think it has more to do with the direction everything spins... when there is a load on the gears in one direction sometimes they will clunk when the load is removed quickly.

 

[srisitt]

There is a lockout but if you go into 5th, then back to neutral, then into reverse you'll avoid the lockout. It's only there if you go straight down from 5th to reverse.

My M5ODs have done this in the past too. I'm not sure if it's a sign of a problem or not, I suspect not. I think it has more to do with the direction everything spins... when there is a load on the gears in one direction sometimes they will clunk when the load is removed quickly.

Thanks, yeah I’ve been doing this all week and it’s been working. I’m also missing the bushing on the clutch lever, I’m wondering if that might be keeping the clutch from fully disengaging.