Thicker gear lube???

[rjoyce387]

My transmission for my ranger grinds slightly when shifting from first to second. I think its the syncro. I was thinking on switching the trans fluid to something a little heavier weight to make the transition easier. Any suggestions?

*2001 Ford Ranger 3.0(not flex) 2WD Manual Trans*

 

[rjoyce387]

bump

 

[03ranger4x4]

its probably a syncro. My bII did this, but really bad. So i got a used tranny for 150 bucks and a trans shop (lucked out cuase he only had one, and just got it in...but im sure any decent junkyard will have em')

If anything, id try the heavier oil. It may hurt mpg (personally dont think it would even be noticable...but thats not a fact) and if that doesnt help, start looking for a tranny. And get a repair manual if you dont already, it lists step by step how to remove and replace a tranny. And just drive your truck around until it gets worse and worse until its considably bad (no piont in putting unnessary miles on the new trans) and once its nearing failure, replace the tranny. i would also put a new clutch in while its out.

Im assuming its NOT a clutch issue, seeing how you stated it only does it from first to second. Be sure it doesnt do it in all gears or reverse. If it does, its 99% likley its a clutch issue

 

[AllanD]

actually using gear oil in a 1998-up M5OD-R1 that already has a "Shift quality issue"
will generally make it worse.

Your trans should have had Mercon-V in it from the factory.

Mercon-2 or 3 and yes there really is a Mercon III

I have a couple bottles of MOTORCRAFT brand MerconIII

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[exbass94]

Mercon-2 or 3 and yes there really is a Mercon III

I have a couple bottles of MOTORCRAFT brand MerconIII

AD

Yeah, and you're apparently the only person in the world who does. Now the poor guy is gonna look for days in every auto parts store looking for non-existent "Mercon III." Even if you do have Mercon III (and I still won't believe it until I see it) I really don't see the point of mentioning it. To make his life easier, I would tell him to look for anything that says "Dexron III/Mercon," or "Dex/Merc" for short, OR Mercon V.

 

[4x4junkie]

Mercon V was never specified for the M5OD until '08. Pretty sure they would've still had plain Mercon in them up to that point.

I would look into rebuilding the tranny now (while you still can do it fairly cheap before all the hard parts get destroyed). At this point it may only just need synchros and possibly bearings.

 

[rjoyce387]

Thanks. I will give it try with the fluid. Worst case, I'll have to replace/rebuild the trans anyway.

 

[rboyer]

There are two obvious questions that I have to ask.

1. Do you know what kind of fluid is in it now?

2. How do you shift the thing?

If someone else has already tried putting gear oil in your transmission and that's what is in it now and you don't even realize it then there's a chance that it could be the root of your problems. Also if you shift the thing like it's a race car then it's gonna grind. Not that I doubt your ability to comprehend common sense, it's just that I never saw you mention what fluid it has in it right now.

 

[Froggmann]

Rjoyce-

I've heard good things about Redline MTL. It's designed for Manual transmissions that require ATF, it's slightly heavier than ATF.