T-5 problems . . . . or maybe clutch problems . . .

S

SetofAces

New Member

Jan 22, 2009

103

0

0

SF Bay Area

May 30, 2009

#1

• May 30, 2009

• #1

So my car was grinding pretty bad every time that I tried to shift it quick before, so I just changed the tranny fluid w/ Merc ATF. NOW, it shifts even worse than before; I tried adjusting the clutch, I pull it back but when I push it all the way to the firewall it doesn't click like I read it's supposed to . . . maybe I need a new clutch quadrant? At any rate it's annoying having all of this new horsepower and not really being able to do much with it. When I shift slowly, it doesn't really shift that harsh btw.

Any help is apprecciated,

Thanks

Jon

 

nunly94gt

Founding Member

Feb 3, 2002

1,595

3

38

Mobile, Al

May 30, 2009

#2

• May 30, 2009

• #2

T-5's are not known for there ability to handle power, I blew my old car's sky high.

Sounds like it could be a synchronizer issue. But, thats for just grinding issues. Mine I have now grinds, But, I need a new clutch. I can tell by how it lets go.

Is it grinding when your sitting still?

 

S

SetofAces

New Member

Jan 22, 2009

103

0

0

SF Bay Area

May 30, 2009

#3

• May 30, 2009

• #3

No, it only grinds when I try to shift it quickly . . . even sometimes when I don't shift it that quick, it wasn't near this bad before I changed the fluid. I just drove it and I do seem to have 1"-2" of travel from the floor before it engages so maybe the clutch isn't the problem after all; a new tranny is the last thing I can afford right now, so I hope it isn't the synchros.

 

S

SetofAces

New Member

Jan 22, 2009

103

0

0

SF Bay Area

May 31, 2009

#4

• May 31, 2009

• #4

Great, I just read that the recommended fluid for most T5s is dexron II . . . Think I damaged my tranny by using mercon atf?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

May 31, 2009

#5

• May 31, 2009

• #5

Mercon is what it takes.

I would go with an aftermarket quadrant and FWA so you can adjust things a little better. Based on what you said, you're on the verge of not disengaging.

 

blackened88lx

Active Member

Aug 9, 2006

0

4

28

Connecticut

May 31, 2009

#6

• May 31, 2009

• #6

I agree with quadrant and fwa with a stock cable. Sounds like it's grabbing way too low.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,264

17,952

224

Massachusetts

May 31, 2009

#7

• May 31, 2009

• #7

Mercon/Dextron III is what it takes....non-synthetic too. Synthetic fluids are too slick and can cause premature grinding issues.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

May 31, 2009

#8

• May 31, 2009

• #8

Mike, why do some builders then recommend or insist on the use of synthetics in their boxes?

 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!

Founding Member

May 17, 2000

2,277

35

69

C Addle

May 31, 2009

#9

• May 31, 2009

• #9

My builder recommends Amsoil full synthetic.

 

ID89GT

10 Year Member

May 26, 2008

1,659

18

49

Spokane Valley, WA

Jun 1, 2009

#10

• Jun 1, 2009

• #10

That stuff reminds me of kool aid.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,264

17,952

224

Massachusetts

Jun 1, 2009

#11

• Jun 1, 2009

• #11

HISSIN50 said:

Mike, why do some builders then recommend or insist on the use of synthetics in their boxes?

Click to expand...

I was just referring to a stock t-5. Aftermarket transmissions all depend on synchro material, bearings and how tight the specs are. Same idea as engine builders using different weight oils than stock.

Stock T-5 with stock-type paper synchos - I'd use regular ATF


I rememeber withthe t-3650 Tremec actually had a "fix" requiring draining out the synthetic ATF and filling with conventional ATF to get the 2nd gear synchro to grab better and stop the common 1-2 grind on the 01-03 t-3650's.

 

strtrcr50

New Member

Jun 21, 2006

0

4

0

Previously from Dirty Jerzey exit 7a

Jun 1, 2009

#12

• Jun 1, 2009

• #12

You can try BG Syncroshift or GM Syncromesh. I've used that in many different transmissions and they all shifted like butter afterwards. Can't go wrong with amsoil either.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

3,501

28

119

Motor City

Jun 1, 2009

#13

• Jun 1, 2009

• #13

Don't go buying all the aftermarket cables, quadrandts, and firewall adjusters. You have a problem with your trans.

T5's are great transmissions, but when they are abused and gears are missed, they develop problems. Get a good tranny shop to tear it down, and replace what's needed. Most of the time it's just synchros/blockers. I had a bad 2nd gear once, but the new parts made it like new. Put a KC clutch in it too and resurface the flywheel. Also make sure you replace the t/o bearing and use conventional fluid.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

34

129

Jun 1, 2009

#14

• Jun 1, 2009

• #14

Stock rebuilds have still been recommended to get synthetic.

Synthetic ATF still has friction coefficients. I think some people think they just make it as slick as they can. Not so.

 

S

SetofAces

New Member

Jan 22, 2009

103

0

0

SF Bay Area

Jun 1, 2009

#15

• Jun 1, 2009

• #15

SVT32VDOHC said:

Don't go buying all the aftermarket cables, quadrandts, and firewall adjusters. You have a problem with your trans.

Get a good tranny shop to tear it down, and replace what's needed. Most of the time it's just synchros/blockers. I had a bad 2nd gear once, but the new parts made it like new. Put a KC clutch in it too and resurface the flywheel. Also make sure you replace the t/o bearing and use conventional fluid.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I figured it was just the tranny. As far as having a shop do all the work, unfortunately this is out of the question; I'm still paying for some of my recent upgrades, and while I may be able to afford a rebuild kit, I certainly can't afford to pay someone else to do the work for me. Not that I'm really looking forward to it or anything . . .

I might pick up another t5 if I can find one for cheap enough and rebuild that one, then swap them out . . . It just sucks because I was hoping this tranny would last at least another year, until I already have my suspension done and could afford a TKO, t56 or something of that sort to put in it.

 

S

SetofAces

New Member

Jan 22, 2009

103

0

0

SF Bay Area

Jun 1, 2009

#16

• Jun 1, 2009

• #16

strtrcr50 said:

You can try BG Syncroshift or GM Syncromesh. I've used that in many different transmissions and they all shifted like butter afterwards. Can't go wrong with amsoil either.

Click to expand...

I'll try those . . . if I can find them. Also, when I drained out the old stuff, I noticed it was translucent, like pina colada lifesavers (lol) compared to the red merc that I put in it . . . BTW are those different gearbox fluids, or just additives?

 

strtrcr50

New Member

Jun 21, 2006

0

4

0

Previously from Dirty Jerzey exit 7a

Jun 1, 2009

#17

• Jun 1, 2009

• #17

SetofAces said:

I'll try those . . . if I can find them. Also, when I drained out the old stuff, I noticed it was translucent, like pina colada lifesavers (lol) compared to the red merc that I put in it . . . BTW are those different gearbox fluids, or just additives?

Click to expand...

Those are replacement fluids, not additives.

 

blackened88lx

Active Member

Aug 9, 2006

0

4

28

Connecticut

Jun 1, 2009

#18

• Jun 1, 2009

• #18

Yea, don't bother getting a good cable and adjusting it properly. Just keep buying new trannys and wrecking them with a misadjusted clutch. A new trans is wayyyy cheaper than a quadrant and fwa Yea, the t5 is a pos. Shouldn't we at least help it a little with a clutch that disengages properly?? Come on now.