T-45 1-2 grinding problem... need opinions

stangGT97

New Member
Dec 22, 2004
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Boston area, MA
Hey all. As you see in my sig, I have a '97 GT with 3.55s and a few other mods done to it. What I've noticed basically since I got the car is that my transmission does not like quick 1-->2 shifts, and tends to grind if I am shifting really quickly. What bothers me more is that the problem is hit or miss... ie it happens sometimes, and then shifts fine other times. Usually it grinds in the cold (which I've been reading happens to a lot of people). I changed my tranny fluid to Castrol Dextron III mercon, which didnt really do much of anything. I know it isnt the TOB because otherwise my 3-4 shifts (which are usually really quick) would grind. So i was thinking maybe it is the syncro, or maybe I just need to let the transmission warm up more before going hard on it? I was thinking that if it was the syncro, it would grind consistently, but it doesnt. Just a couple weeks ago before I retired the car for the winter, I spun up the tires and ripped second really hard with no grinds, but the car was warm. Well, sorry for the long post... I realize there is a whole thread on the 3650 grind problem but this isnt the same tranny and definitely doesnt seem to be a mechanical problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :nice:
 
stangGT97 said:
Hey all. As you see in my sig, I have a '97 GT with 3.55s and a few other mods done to it. What I've noticed basically since I got the car is that my transmission does not like quick 1-->2 shifts, and tends to grind if I am shifting really quickly. What bothers me more is that the problem is hit or miss... ie it happens sometimes, and then shifts fine other times. Usually it grinds in the cold (which I've been reading happens to a lot of people). I changed my tranny fluid to Castrol Dextron III mercon, which didnt really do much of anything. I know it isnt the TOB because otherwise my 3-4 shifts (which are usually really quick) would grind. So i was thinking maybe it is the syncro, or maybe I just need to let the transmission warm up more before going hard on it? I was thinking that if it was the syncro, it would grind consistently, but it doesnt. Just a couple weeks ago before I retired the car for the winter, I spun up the tires and ripped second really hard with no grinds, but the car was warm. Well, sorry for the long post... I realize there is a whole thread on the 3650 grind problem but this isnt the same tranny and definitely doesnt seem to be a mechanical problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :nice:
wow, glad im not the only one with this problem. i have the T-45 in my 00 as well, however my tranny was perfect (except for grinding reverse and having to put the shifter in 5th then reverse to fix it) until i got my clutch replaced. then i noticed exactly the same problem you are describing. i get grinding under fast 1-2 shifts and its not all the time either, exactly like you. the shop said the T-45 tranny wasnt the strongest in the ford line, but i thought this was just a blow off until hearing you have the same probs. btw, how many miles on your car? i only had 27k when it started, and now have close to 29k. its weird, but i think im just gonna get a T-56 when i get some real money flowing after i graduate. :banana: