Three Piece Synchronizer

[orangealpine]

Okay, after much angst and confusion on my part (got to thinking the 3-4 gears were 1-2) I have discovered my problem is the three piece 2nd gear synchro. The rebuild kit I bought is for the old design with four identical brass rings. I have an older 2.3 M5 that I can rob for the 1-2 parts and use the kit synchros or get the updated synchros from Ford. Which should I do? Is the new design really better? From my limited experience (one tranny of each type), all the old ones are good, all the new ones bad.

Bill

 

[orangealpine]

As there appears to be no information available on the 2000 (or so) and up trannys, I'll answer my own question as best as I can for others.

Ford (or Mazda) has redesigned the synchro rings. All rings are now using fibre to engage the cones. First and second gear rings are larger and the second gear ring is three piece with dual cones, available only from Ford.

$307

Bill