Thrust bearing ? ?

[NixRanger]

Hi all;
Recently got the TK5 tranny rebuilt, also replaced hydraulic cylinders (master and slave) and new clutch assembly. Less than 200 miles later I thought the throwout bearing was defective due to a horrible squealing sound and I replaced it - that was a waste of time and $$, 'cause the noise still present.
The noise happens whenever the clutch is not engaged (clutch pedal is not being pushed down). Doesn't matter if I'm in neutral or in any gear, the noise persists. The noise increases/decreases with corresponding throttle - it doesn't get worse, but it does get louder as RPMs increase - it's this steady sounding annyoing squealing - and it's a royal PITA !! So as I drive in my neighborhoood or in town I "ride the clutch" - I push the clutch pedal in about an inch and the noise stops. I know this ain't good for the TB.
I talked with the outfit that rebuilt the tranny - they're supposed to be a reliable business, which is why I took tranny to them. I'm being told that the squealing sound is due to bad thrust bearing in the engine.

I've never hear of that bearing going bad. The engine has been a reliable one, was rebuilt 80,000 miles ago.
I regularly service it - even maintain a logbook to keep track of stuff done to it.

But I'm stumped by what I'm being told - THRUST BEARING ? ?

you guys have helped me on all sorts of things Ranger, anyone got any ideas on this one ??

 

[NixRanger]

or is it a thrust washer??

that's what a friend said it might be.............in any case, I see no replies so far...........fingers crossed....................

 

[Twister]

Found this

http://www.thirskauto.net/Engine_Thrust_Bearings.html

 

[NixRanger]

Interesting, Twister - thanks for the info..... am still not convinced this is the problem. In any case the engine/trans run great at present, planning to go back to trans repair shop, put truck on their lift and see what can be found.

 

[WTF]

Exactly which model transmission are you talking about?

 

[NixRanger]

It's that Toyo Kogyo - a TK5 - it's what the truck came with.
I'd been considering replacing it with a newer model trans, but I haven't seen any in-depth articles on what newer trans will fit into an '84 w/2.8.
This is a DD rig and mostly stock, though I've added a few improvements over the years.
As far as transmissions go, I just want a decently performing and reliable one.

Anybody out there installed a newer transmission into their rig ? ? ? ?

 

[WTF]

So going back to the problem- it does it no matter what, right? This noise started before you rebuilt the trans? You sure everything is put together right underneath when you stabbed the trans back in? Could be the inspection cover maybe? Gotta be something simple not the trans. Does it shift fine? No binding? Full of fluid? Hope this helps!

 

[NixRanger]

Thanx WTF for the suggestions - I got sidetracked for a bit due to work & the truck's been parked for a few days til I could get back to it.
But I must say I've thought about all that I did and am very confident of my work. This isn't first time I've pulled the trans or done a clutch job - it's not all that complicated, after all.
As far as trans performance goes, it's been great since the rebuild, aside from the squeal noise. I'm very happy with how it shifts, it's vibration-free, it's quit leaking (seeping) trans fluid - all would be right in my world except for that annoying squeal!! Fluid looks great, all bolts are nice and tight.
I'm going back to trans rebuild shop on Wednesday to let them check it out and will let everyone know what happened.
stay tuned !!!

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

Pedal out = clutch engaged.
Pedal in = clutch disengaged.

I can see where they're coming from with the thrust bearing theory, but it just doesn't add up if you ask me. The thrust bearing is not normally under much load. So when force is applied to the pressure plate to disengage the clutch, that would load the thrust bearing (upwards of 1000lbs of force are used to open the pressure plate which would push the PP/flywheel/crankshaft assembly towards the front of the engine), which is when I would expect it to make noise. But I could be wrong.

As far as transmissions go, I just want a decently performing and reliable one.

The only thing better than the TK5 would be the Mazda M5, which will fit, but you would have to swap drive shafts as well to accommodate the different length of the trans.

 

[WTF]

Come to think of it, my pops had an 85 Chebbie with a squeeler throw-out bearing too.

 

[NixRanger]

Hey Hotrod;

Mazda M5 ??

Is that same as the M50 I've seen discussed elsewhere on this site??

and all I gotta do is modify the driveshaft length ??

everything else is a direct fit/swap??

I'm apprehensive about swaps 'cause I've heard the 2.8 engines have a unique bolt pattern which prevents a simple swap to occur - unlike the 2.9 and 4.0 which seem to have more stuff available.

I personally like the 2.8 - it's been a great engine for me, I don't care to change it out........I just want to have a better (newer) trans.

Fingers are crossed for tomorrow's visit to the trans rebuild shop, anxious to hear what they say is wrong.

 

[dangerranger83]

The 2.3 has a unique bolt pattern. The 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0 all have the same bolt patterns.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

I'm apprehensive about swaps 'cause I've heard the 2.8 engines have a unique bolt pattern which prevents a simple swap to occur - unlike the 2.9 and 4.0 which seem to have more stuff available.

Nope. 2.8, 2.9, early 3.0 and 4.0 all interchange.

Yes, the M5OD is hailed as the most resilient Ranger transmission. It stands up to the power of the 4.0 with ease. It's only major flaw seems to be the rubber shift rail plugs which rot out and leak all the oil out, which then destroys the trans because people don't bother to check the fluid level.
The Mazda trans is longer than the TK, so you need to swap the driveshaft (front shaft also if 4wd), and knock out the plate in the floor for the shifter to come through.
You would also need the hydraulic hose for the clutch, since the 84 uses an external slave cylinder, and all of the Mazda trans have internal slaves. Just get all that with the trans.

Any news from the shop?

 

[NixRanger]

OK, here's what the shop says.............

it's the pressure plate: apparently one of the fingers is either hanging up or slightly bent, causing TB to ride unevenly on input shaft, causing that annoying squeal. When I press clutch pedal, the TB now rides evenly against PP, the noise goes away. That also explains why riding the clutch - pressig clutch pedal down an inch or so - makes the noise go away.
So I get to pull the trans again, but it'll hafta wait, 'cause I'm in the middle of an engine swap on my Mustang.
If all goes well I'll have the Ranger in the garage by end of week.

 

[NixRanger]

Hey Hotrod;

I'm interested in your comments about the M50 trans, have you done that swap??

Went to the Tech Library and checked out the trans section, I see there are 2 types of the M50 - which one should I use??
With all the problems I've had with the old TK5, I'm thinking I'll keep an eye out for the
M50, just want to be sure which one I should look for, also what year of Rangers are they in??