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How much trouble to rebuild a t5?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90_Red_LX
  • Start date Start date Dec 9, 2007

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
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Asheboro, NC
Dec 9, 2007
#1
  • Dec 9, 2007
  • #1
Debating on whether to upgrade my tranny or just tear it apart and fix the synchros or put a stronger gear set in it. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, dad owns a professional shop, then I go to school for machining should I need something from that area. Would I still be batting out of my league? If the thing came apart a year from now I wouldn't really care I'll be working full time by then, but with the 2nd gear synchro well on her way out the door, and 3rd starting to act up a little I believe her days are numbered.
 

trbkrb

Founding Member
Jun 4, 2001
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Dec 9, 2007
#2
  • Dec 9, 2007
  • #2
Many guys have done it . Here is an article a friend put together on the rebuild. There is also a PDF T5 rebuild manual available on the web. I have a copy, I'll just have to find it if you don't.

http://pomoforacing.com/tech/T5Rebuild2002.pdf
 

rd

Founding Member
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Ocean Springs MS
Dec 9, 2007
#3
  • Dec 9, 2007
  • #3
Its not really that hard. I did our Jeep CJ7's T5 several years ago using a Haynes manual and a MM&FF article.

With the backup you have, it should be easy.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
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#4
  • Dec 9, 2007
  • #4
I've done mine in my living room. One of the easiest manual trans to rebuild and a great way to cut your teeth on one is to just download the manual and tear into it.
 

90_Red_LX

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Sep 29, 2003
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Asheboro, NC
Dec 9, 2007
#5
  • Dec 9, 2007
  • #5
I may get to it then. I'm fixing to pretty much retire the car for nice weekends only since once it gets cold, the salts gonna hit the roads and the jeeps gonna get full time duty. Going to the bottle around new years also, so somethings gonna give, and the tranny is the weak link in my drivetrain.
 
F

Flying Dutchman

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Nothern central Massachusetts
Dec 10, 2007
#6
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #6
They are easy, i found the info on 5speeds.com very helpful and parts from the gear box saved me alot of time and money.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
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#7
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #7
where do you get rebuild kits? how much do they normally cost vs having it rebuilt?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#8
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #8
Rebuild kits are normally $100-200 depending on how complete a kit. Some just have wearable items while others have bearings as well.

They DO NOT replace hard parts like gears however, so if you have a grinding 2nd gear, a rebuild kit may be all you need but you migth find the gear and synchro ring are bad as well and those are $35-80 each right there
 

trbkrb

Founding Member
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#9
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #9
Here is that T5 manual:

http://statefilingsoftware.com/pictures/t5manual.zip
 

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
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Asheboro, NC
Dec 10, 2007
#10
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #10
I guess the only way to see whats wrong is tear her apart and see what she needs. I'll put her on the racks one weekend after christmas and see whats up.
 

jrichker

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#11
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #11
See http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/onlineorder/product.asp to download a FREE service manual for T5 or Tremec 3550/TKO
You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

See http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/ or http://www.ddperformance.com for parts

A T5 rebuild kit with syncros, bearings and other small parts costs about $160. It does not include any gears or shafts.

http://www.hanlonmotorsports.com/ also has a video on how to rebuild your T5 or Tremec. It costs about $20, and is worth every penny of it.

I did a Tremec 3550 rebuild, and it wasn't that difficult. The video was an immense help, and I would recommend viewing it. At $20, it will give you an opportunity to look and decide for yourself if you think that it is something you want to try to do.
 

NIKwoaC

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#12
  • Dec 10, 2007
  • #12
a lot of the time its not just the friction clutches wearing themselves, its the "dog teeth" on the slider rings wear and that causes the grinding noise when you try to shift quickly or at high RPM. you may have to replace your 1-2 slider along with new clutches/bearings/etc. i believe the sliders cost 80$ ... but i cant remember for sure. tear it open and inspect everything to know for sure.


AND REMEMBER TO BREAK IT IN AFTER YOU REBUILD IT!!! my first trans rebuild ended in disaster because i went to thrashing it right away.
 

tmoss

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Dec 11, 2007
#13
  • Dec 11, 2007
  • #13
I highly recommend the Hanlon video - it'll be one of the best $20 bills you ever spend.
 

bullitstang1313

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Dec 11, 2007
#14
  • Dec 11, 2007
  • #14
I completely rebuilt one including new gears. I went with the upgraded alloy gears and the T5-Z ratio. I got my parts from Astro Performance and just used the T5 rebuild manual. It was actually quite simple just took some time. No real special tools required except for a shop press. As far as the slider rings, I had some machine work on mine to make them easier to move.
 

90_Red_LX

Member
Sep 29, 2003
668
5
19
Asheboro, NC
Dec 11, 2007
#15
  • Dec 11, 2007
  • #15
bullitstang1313 said:
I completely rebuilt one including new gears. I went with the upgraded alloy gears and the T5-Z ratio. I got my parts from Astro Performance and just used the T5 rebuild manual. It was actually quite simple just took some time. No real special tools required except for a shop press. As far as the slider rings, I had some machine work on mine to make them easier to move.
Click to expand...

How much did that run you? Will the tranny hold a lot more power? As far as ratios if anything taller gears would be a lot better for the car or put a less aggressive rear end gear in it since 4th gear is all but done in the 1/4 now. If I go to spray it'll be in 5th quick.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
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#16
  • Dec 11, 2007
  • #16
tmoss said:
I highly recommend the Hanlon video - it'll be one of the best $20 bills you ever spend.
Click to expand...

I am going to look into that and it sounds interesting.

Since we are on the topic, here is another PDF T-5 Rebuild online:

http://www.ttcautomotive.com/English/media/pdfs_autogen/T-5_Service_Manual.pdf
 
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