Transmission moves around in 1st and 2nd gear

[95' Ranger SS]

- 1995 Ranger
- 2.3 liter
- 2wd
- Mazda M5OD-R1 5 speed Transmissio
In 1st gear and sometimes second after i let the clutch out if the engine is at a high rpm i can feel the transmission move around when my hand is on the shifter and i can see the shifter move over towars the passengers side. When it moves the shifter is in the spot where 3rd gear would be. This happens too when im shifting from 1st to 2nd and sometimes even 3rd gear.
I think it might be a tranny mount but im not sure. I just wanna see if anyone has experience w/this problem and what i can do to fix it.

 

[metalmacguyver]

that is normal. The engine and tranny mounts are rubber to absorb vibration and prevent shock loading.

It is much more pronounced at a higher RPM because your putting a higher load on the clutch and driveline. Dont do it. Your just beating the crap out of your clutch.

 

[95' Ranger SS]

ok. i know thats normal and everything but ive had the truck for almost a whole year now and ive never noticed it before because theres a significant amount of movement. i just wont do that any more i guess ill just have to be nice to it. Iwill keep that in mind when i put the new clutch in this weekend.
Thanks for your input its much appreciated.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Hey, where in MA are you from? I live in Plymouth.

 

[95' Ranger SS]

beverly why?

 

[metalmacguyver]

Well I dont know many other "ranger" people here in mass. Its always good to get to know people with similar interests. We seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum as your a 2wd (street I assume) guy and I am a 4x4 off road guy.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've been driving my ranger like that for almost 9 years now, sure it's on it's third clutch at 170k (second clutch I didn't have the flywheel turned, and it just ate too deep into the flywheel, so it needed replaced early), the truck hasn't complained yet, other than blowing the passenger side engine mount (under compression going forward, I blew it in low range reverse)

your drivers side engine mount might be on it's last legs if the engine is moving that much (when my passenger side engine mount went, the shifter got within a couple inches of my knee in reverse!!!). if you want to reduce the stress on the engine mount, something I did for a few years was had a ratchet strap going from the front engine lifting eye down to the frame rail and put a little bit of tension on it, the engine rocked less under high load.

the clutch plate has springs in it reducing shock loads to the tranny, and it's the same tranny put behind 3.0L and most of the internals are the same as the 4.0L version, a little old 2.3L isn't going to hurt it...

 

[metalmacguyver]

Actually a friend of mine just tore one of his motor mounts apart too. Cant hurt to take a close look at them anyway. Also look at the tranny mount. My friend needs a new one of those too.

 

[95' Ranger SS]

thanks. im pretty sure its a tranny mount and or a motor mount. the shifter doesnt get close to my knee in reverse becasue it only moves in first gear and sometimes when shifting to 2nd. Im pulling the tranny out this weekend to replace the clutch and i was going to take a look at the motor mounts anyway.