Why would anyone.....

[adsm08]

Only 5-speed failure I ever had was after putting ATF in an FM145.

I've seen a few others, but all were ruled as due to abuse.

 

[wildbill23c]

Honestly I beat the crap out of my 2.9 a4ld and have no serious problems. Just have to keep both of them cool and happy

The issues with my 88 B2 stem 100% from the previous owner's neglect and abuse and complete lack of any sort of mechanical knowledge hense the reason it had the wrong dispstick in the engine when I got it, I think from an F-series pickup as it measured to 8 quarts of oil yep when I drained the oil to change it the damn thing had well slightly over 8 quarts in it, no wonder all the seals and gaskets were blown and it was burning oil, but by the time I bought it the damage was done already. The transmission lost overdrive, shifts 1-3 were perfectly fine and reverse was fine, when it would shift to overdrive it acted as if you reached over and put it in neutral. A complete rebuild was done on the transmission and as of 3 years later in about 1 week it hasn't given me any issues, and about 9 months on the engine replacement and no issues there either.

Most of the problems I've found to have been caused by the driver with many vehicles.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Only 5-speed failure I ever had was after putting ATF in an FM145.

I've seen a few others, but all were ruled as due to abuse.

I still blame atf as the root cause of failure on my FM146. I drained and replaced the fluid with MT90 as soon as I realized what it was filled with, but by then it was too late.

I really don't miss that thing. Only gear that was quiet was 4th. All others had a horrid whine.

 

[adsm08]

I still blame atf as the root cause of failure on my FM146. I drained and replaced the fluid with MT90 as soon as I realized what it was filled with, but by then it was too late.

I really don't miss that thing. Only gear that was quiet was 4th. All others had a horrid whine.

My last FM146 was quiet but had all sorts of trouble shifting below 10 degrees, and for the four winters I had it that was a regular occurrence. I sold it for almost what I had into the M5OD swap.

 

[fastpakr]

The only one I've had that truly failed was an R1 in my '94 Explorer. It went from perfection to KIA in an instant while cruising down the interstate - stripped all the gear teeth off the output shaft.

 

[sgtsandman]

Automatics are actually physically stronger than manuals. The gears are in constant mesh, have more teeth, and a larger contact area, all of which contribute to the physical strength of the transmission. That plus the torque multiplying effects of the converter when the engine is at high speed and the input shaft at low speed all help to give the automatic a legitimate advantage when towing, particularly when starting off with a load.

That maybe so but I’ve seen the same U.S. model of vehicle in Europe being allowed to pull the same load as an automatic there. As an example, the 1997-2001 manual Honda CR-V in the U.S. is limited to 1,000 pounds. In Europe, same vehicle is rated to tow 2,000. Identical powertrain configuration.

There has to be something in the U.S. driving that disparity since it isn’t a mechanical reason.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

My last FM146 was quiet but had all sorts of trouble shifting below 10 degrees, and for the four winters I had it that was a regular occurrence. I sold it for almost what I had into the M5OD swap.

Lucky dog. I have two of them here. One good, one needing rebuilt with a complete rebuild kit and a new set of Ford gears. Can't give it away.

My M5OD swap was $300 and came with the titled truck it was in ?

 

[91stranger]

That maybe so but I’ve seen the same U.S. model of vehicle in Europe being allowed to pull the same load as an automatic there. As an example, the 1997-2001 manual Honda CR-V in the U.S. is limited to 1,000 pounds. In Europe, same vehicle is rated to tow 2,000. Identical powertrain configuration.

There has to be something in the U.S. driving that disparity since it isn’t a mechanical reason.

You sure it was 2000 POUNDS and not KILOGRAMS??? Just curious as I could see that happening since you are talking about Europe and Europe uses the Metric system so they would put ratings in pounds, they would use kilograms.

 

[Snoranger]

You sure it was 2000 POUNDS and not KILOGRAMS??? Just curious as I could see that happening since you are talking about Europe and Europe uses the Metric system so they would put ratings in pounds, they would use kilograms.

I don't see a European CRV being able to tow 4400 lbs(approx 2000 kg) when the US version can only tow 1000lbs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't see a European CRV being able to tow 4400 lbs(approx 2000 kg) when the US version can only tow 1000lbs.

Actually you can see that:

 

[Snoranger]

Actually you can see that:

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it!

 

[adsm08]

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you SHOULD do it!

But it was a diesel!

 

[Ranger850]

There has to be something in the U.S. driving that disparity since it isn’t a mechanical reason.

Insurance Companies

 

[adsm08]

Insurance Companies

Wouldn't surprise me. The US hands out driver's licenses like candy. It is easier to get a pilot's license in the US than it is to get a driver's licesne in some parts of Europe.

 

[sgtsandman]

You sure it was 2000 POUNDS and not KILOGRAMS??? Just curious as I could see that happening since you are talking about Europe and Europe uses the Metric system so they would put ratings in pounds, they would use kilograms.

It's definitely pounds since 2.2 lbs = 1 Kg. That is a huge difference.

I'm inclined to agree with the later comment that insurance companies are a major facor in the difference. Which leads back to my liability comment. Granted, my comment was aimed at the manufacturer rather than the owner, but either way, it would probably be insurance paying for it.