Won't stay in 5th gear

[DandysRanger]

Title says it all. It works fine in all the gears but pops out of fifth unless I hold it in. I searched the forum ans saw where it might be a simple matter of adjustment. However, a guy who is familiar with 2.3 Rangers said it was the 5th gear synchro and it could explode at any moment. Is there any truth to this? It works fine as long as I hold it in. There is no noise or vibration...
If it helps any I just replaced the shifter with a new one from Ford.
This is for an 85 2wd ranger.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[AllanD]

Title says it all. It works fine in all the gears but pops out of fifth unless I hold it in. I searched the forum ans saw where it might be a simple matter of adjustment. However, a guy who is familiar with 2.3 Rangers said it was the 5th gear synchro and it could explode at any moment. Is there any truth to this? It works fine as long as I hold it in. There is no noise or vibration...
If it helps any I just replaced the shifter with a new one from Ford.
This is for an 85 2wd ranger.
Thanks,
Jim

85 Ranger? 2wd? T-K trans.

Jumping out of 5th on a TK-5 transmission is usually a symptom of impending doom.... (more technically called Grotesquely excessive mainshaft end play caused by worn out bearings)

 

[RangerKing1]

If it was the syncraniser, it would get stuck in gear and wouldnt come out. Sounds like something in between the gear not allowing the shifter to go all the way in gear.

 

[DandysRanger]

Yikes! so it's a disaster waiting to happen?
Allan, you think I should yank the tranny for a rebuild? What would I expect to pay for something like that?

 

[pcollins]

Depends. If you can do it yourself, It'll only be the cost of the trans. I wouldn't use 5th gear for now.

 

[DandysRanger]

Depends. If you can do it yourself, It'll only be the cost of the trans. I wouldn't use 5th gear for now.

How hard could it be? I have done a couple of motorcycle transmissions but I know how these things can snowball...

In the meantime can I drive it and just keep it out of fifth? It's my daughter's truck but we use it around town once in a while. I don't want it to grenade on her.
Thanks everyone,
Jim

 

[DandysRanger]

85 Ranger? 2wd? T-K trans.

Jumping out of 5th on a TK-5 transmission is usually a symptom of impending doom.... (more technically called Grotesquely excessive mainshaft end play caused by worn out bearings)

Allan, Is it for sure a TK5? I was told it was a Mitsu. maybe that's just the 4WD? Anyway, how can I tell for sure?

 

[DandysRanger]

Going to look at a 5 sp. out of the same year and model as mine. Is there anything I should look for (the tranny is out of the vehicle) that would indicate this one is fried too?

 

[--weezl--]

the door sticker should give you a transmission code, your "new" tranny, make sure it is from the same truck, they are not all interchangeable, depending on the engines and such... you also cannot swap a 2wd tranny for a 4wd tranny...

the guy who told you what he told you was full of it, but might have been half right... syncros won't make it pop out of gear, they will make it hard to get into gear...

 

[CamoRanger94]

i had that problem with my m50d and i know it prob wasnt the best idea but i took the top plate of the tranny made sure the gears werent ground up and beat on the shift lever with a hammer and yeah it works and cross my fingers hasnt and wont get tight again. that was like 4 months ago

 

[DandysRanger]

the door sticker should give you a transmission code, your "new" tranny, make sure it is from the same truck, they are not all interchangeable, depending on the engines and such... you also cannot swap a 2wd tranny for a 4wd tranny...

the guy who told you what he told you was full of it, but might have been half right... syncros won't make it pop out of gear, they will make it hard to get into gear...

Right. I was told it is out of the same year and model as mine but I'll be sure to check the tags.
Is there anything else I should look for to make sure it is not a giant paperweight? How much play should there be in the input shaft?

 

[DandysRanger]

Problem solved. I replaced the tranny and now 5th gear works. While I was at it I replaced the clutch, pressure plate and slave cylinder. Drivee like new...almost.
Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[--weezl--]

isn't that like saying i fixed the rust on my truck... i started driving a different truck?

 

[DandysRanger]

isn't that like saying i fixed the rust on my truck... i started driving a different truck?