4:10s with stock code M inferior?

fartingchicken

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Sep 11, 2007

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Oct 15, 2007

#1

• Oct 15, 2007

• #1

I read elsewhere that if there is a "M" code in the part number for the Ford 4:10 gears they are considered rejects. Supposedly they require special setup, but will still make noise. Then the guy said a "good set" comes from Twist Racing.
Well, I had a Ford mechanic put in gears at his home, and guess what? The gears are "M" code and make a roaring noise. At least the roaring noise has improved in the month I've had them to where it is only a little noticable. It makes me wonder if he improved his margin by buying a cheap piece of junk part? Opinions?

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

3,015

1

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7200 feet

Oct 15, 2007

#2

• Oct 15, 2007

• #2

if the part number has an "M" at the end, then its made by motive. motive is a less expensive gear. if it has "A" at the end, is a ford made gear. the "M" 4.10s have cause many stang owners headaches. the "A" gears are the good ones, and well worth the extra money to buy. the ford made gears are over $200, but thats still cheaper than buying a second set of gears to replace the motive made ones.

SOME HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS with the "M" gears. but many have. more often than not, they say they should have got the "A" gears. not worth the risk, IMO. you very rarely see a problem with the "A" gears.

 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

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May 23, 2004

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Oct 15, 2007

#3

• Oct 15, 2007

• #3

Agreed. Well said, Bigcat.

 

fartingchicken

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Sep 11, 2007

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Oct 15, 2007

#4

• Oct 15, 2007

• #4

M

I think, and will have to check the box later, that my gears stock number started with an M, not ending with an M. Is that still a "Motive" gear? It makes me lose faith in the guy that installed the gear.

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

3,015

1

79

7200 feet

Oct 15, 2007

#5

• Oct 15, 2007

• #5

all the gears start with something like "m-4209-" the ones you need to watch out for end with "410M" and not "410A".

here are the good gears: http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=9031

 

2

281Ponies

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Nov 14, 2003

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Oct 15, 2007

#6

• Oct 15, 2007

• #6

I don't know... hate to say I've been lucky... but I've been running Motive gears in the last several mustangs I've owned and never had an issue with whine. Last two sets in two different stangs the install was by the same mechanic so maybe that is why and they were all 3.90's not 4.10's

 

Casey4s

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Sep 1, 2007

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Woodbridge, VA

Oct 15, 2007

#7

• Oct 15, 2007

• #7

The shop i took my car to installed tne M code gears and he couldn't get then quiet, so he installed another brand new set and they also whined. Finally he pulled those and the gears I have now are Yukon 4.11:1 and are nice and quiet.
I was told the M code gears have some kind of problem by the shop that worked on my car. BTW the M gears I had were made in Italy.

 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount

Aug 31, 2006

1,679

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Central VA

Oct 15, 2007

#8

• Oct 15, 2007

• #8

Aren't the clutch packs in the S197 also different than previous models? I thought I've read/heard they were changed to work better with the power output of the GT500. I just believe the combo of Motive gears and the new rears just aren't that friendly, not that the gears are inferior quality.

P.S.
Glad you got fixed up Casey

 

anthony05gt

Active Member

Mar 18, 2006

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Maryland

Oct 15, 2007

#9

• Oct 15, 2007

• #9

I recently read on one of these forums that Ford gears are now all made by Motive. Don't know how true it is, but that's what I read.

 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount

Aug 31, 2006

1,679

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Central VA

Oct 15, 2007

#10

• Oct 15, 2007

• #10

Casey was also telling me(I believe his second set of gears were like this)they are now chromed as well. Not the usual dark grey/black look

 

Humboldt Stang

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Nov 5, 2005

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Oct 15, 2007

#11

• Oct 15, 2007

• #11

Yeah, M is for Motive, A is for American.
The general consensus is that the A's are better than the M's.
While some will say they've never had problems with Motives, I've never heard one complaint about the American made FRPP gears.

I chose not to risk it, and went with the A gears.

Very happy.

 

fartingchicken

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Oct 15, 2007

#12

• Oct 15, 2007

• #12

end in A

I'm happy now- the stock starts in "M", and ends in "A".

 

JTGrant

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Aug 2, 2005

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GA

Oct 16, 2007

#13

• Oct 16, 2007

• #13

I talked to a parts tech at FRPP today, he said that Ford Racing stopped making the 4.30 because no one was buying them anymore. Luckily they(Ford Racing) still make the 4.10s and a few other ratios.

 

2

281Ponies

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Oct 17, 2007

#14

• Oct 17, 2007

• #14

fartingchicken said:

I'm happy now- the stock starts in "M", and ends in "A".

Click to expand...

So they are the ford gears and making a roaring sound... they shouldn't make noise from the get go if installed correctly.

I think (don't know this for sure) this is a part of the problem with Motive gears. If the mechanic installs the ring and pinion like any other ford gear the tolorences will be off and whine will be present. Every set of Motive Performance gears I have purchased has a little white piece of paper with the proper backlash and tolorences printed right on it for the mechanic to use.

 

K

kkdoughboy

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Jul 20, 2007

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Pennsylvania

Oct 17, 2007

#15

• Oct 17, 2007

• #15

Mechanics dont even look at the instructions that come with our parts anymore. Most of them just install things the way the know how. In most cases that is a good thing unless you buy something special that has certain modifications they are not used to. I always include the instruction booklets with the parts I send to whomever is making a modification to my vehicle. This along with a piece of handwritten information on any special instructions they might be interested in. Go with the FRPP's, but if Ford doesnt make a 4.30 then? Go to someone who really give a s*** about cars.

 

2

281Ponies

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Nov 14, 2003

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Oct 17, 2007

#16

• Oct 17, 2007

• #16

kkdoughboy said:

Mechanics dont even look at the instructions that come with our parts anymore. Most of them just install things the way the know how.
Go to someone who really give a s*** about cars.

Click to expand...

...that is/was my point.

 

K

kkdoughboy

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Jul 20, 2007

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Oct 17, 2007

#17

• Oct 17, 2007

• #17

281, Thats why I was agreeing with you bud

 

2

281Ponies

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Oct 17, 2007

#18

• Oct 17, 2007

• #18

no disagreement... I understood

 

GRAYPNY

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Apr 9, 2006

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Northern California

Oct 20, 2007

#19

• Oct 20, 2007

• #19

M or A probably isn't as important as who installs them. I had a set of the A gears installed and they failed. Guy didn't do a good job and I blame myself for not doing my homework on who would do a good install. JMO~