T-5 problems

[Rmoore45]

I just got done installing my T-5 into my 67 coupe, now I'm having problems with it going into second gear. It was like this from the very beginning, I have only had the trans in for a few days. Every other gear works fine, but sometimes it wont go into second, the shifter acts like its in 2nd but I let out on the clutch and nothing happens. Sometimes it will grind a little then go, other times it will go in perfectly. What's causing this?

Also, it whines in every gear except 4th and 5th. I'm thinking that the cluster gear is worn and needs to be replaced.

The trans used from a 94-95 mustang 5.0, 300lb torque rating. I changed the input shaft to work with an 86 bellhousing. I'm using the stock shifter (want MGW though), running royal purple max ATF.

 

[Rusty67]

My first thought is that you have a clutch release issue. If it grinds going into gear you are provably not getting full release on your clutch.

Go somewhere with a hill you can try the car out on with no traffic around. Park the car facing upward at the top of the incline. Put the car into neutral and let it roll back. Note how this feels. Put your foot on the brakes. Clutch in and put the car into 1st and slowly let the clutch out. With the clutch all the way out, let your foot off the brake slowly. Once the car has loaded the drive line, step on the brake. Clutch in but to not change the shifter possition. Slowly take your foot off of the break. The car should roll backwards and feel the same as when you did this in neutral. If not you have a clutch release problem.

 

[Realmongo]

A lot of theses Mustang T5 transmissions suffered bent internal components due to excessive force on the stock shifter without stops while ripping through gears.

 

[PoppyMod]

I just got done installing my T-5 into my 67 coupe, now I'm having problems with it going into second gear. It was like this from the very beginning, I have only had the trans in for a few days. Every other gear works fine, but sometimes it wont go into second, the shifter acts like its in 2nd but I let out on the clutch and nothing happens. Sometimes it will grind a little then go, other times it will go in perfectly. What's causing this?

Also, it whines in every gear except 4th and 5th. I'm thinking that the cluster gear is worn and needs to be replaced.

The trans used from a 94-95 mustang 5.0, 300lb torque rating. I changed the input shaft to work with an 86 bellhousing. I'm using the stock shifter (want MGW though), running royal purple max ATF.

Hi,
Since you noted this only occurs in 2nd only, I suspect you need to pull the tranny and replace "all" of the synchros, as a minimum. Obviously, check all of the clearances, thrust washers, shifting forks, and gear teeth etc.
Your situation is not unique when buying used, unless the PO provides documentation to the contrary.
Good luck!

 

[iskwezm]

yup, bad synchros are common

 

[Rusty67]

Check your clutch and make sure it is proper before taking anything appart.

 

[Rmoore45]

I checked out the clutch, and it's disengaging completely. Its a syncro. I've gotten better at shifting into 2nd, its an art of sorts, just have to rpm match.

The main shaft (clustergear) is still whining in neutral,1st through 3rd, and in reverse. I know its the clustergear because I disengage the clutch and the noise slows down and stops. If it were the throwout bearing it would stop immediately. Is there anything I can do to make it stop? Besides replacing the clustergear.

 

[PoppyMod]

I checked out the clutch, and it's disengaging completely. Its a syncro. I've gotten better at shifting into 2nd, its an art of sorts, just have to rpm match.

The main shaft (clustergear) is still whining in neutral,1st through 3rd, and in reverse. I know its the clustergear because I disengage the clutch and the noise slows down and stops. If it were the throwout bearing it would stop immediately. Is there anything I can do to make it stop? Besides replacing the clustergear.

Bud,
There is no miracle cure for worn parts. If this is not a daily driver, drive until you park it this winter, then, rebuild. Just be kind to it, in the meantime.
Good Luck!

 

[Rmoore45]

Bud,
There is no miracle cure for worn parts. If this is not a daily driver, drive until you park it this winter, then, rebuild. Just be kind to it, in the meantime.
Good Luck!

It was worth a try It is my DD, I'll just treat it well until I save up enough money for a new clustergear and syncros.

 

[PoppyMod]

noisy tranny

Hey Guy,
What you might do, since it's your DD, is locate another T5 and rebuild that or accumulate all the parts, then, have at it!
Again, Good Luck!

 

[iskwezm]

when mine started whining it was a VERY short time till i blew 3rd gear apart and had to rebuild the whole thing.So be ready.

 

[Rusty67]

Hey Guy,
What you might do, since it's your DD, is locate another T5 and rebuild that or accumulate all the parts, then, have at it!
Again, Good Luck!

You beat me to it, that is exactly what I was going to say.

 

[mustangmike6996]

since you say it doesnt happen in 4th and 5th AND it is hard to shift into second i am willing to bet that you have a bent shift fork (many mustang owners love to grab 2nd very hard) and your bearings are starting to whine on the counter shaft which is used in every gear except 4th. 4th gear ratio is 1:1 which means the trans input and output shafts are spinning at the same speed. there is no gear reduction or gear multiplying in 4th which is what leads me to believe theres a counter shaft bearing problem.

 

[chepsk8]

Add me to the bent shift fork replies, as I have the same exact problem right now with my T-5. Everything else is fine, all gears go in, even tried different shifters, clutch adjustment, fluid change, burnt offerings.

1-2 shift fork/rail is kablooey. I got a great price for a rebuild from a place in SE PA called Hanlon. $250 parts kit, $about $50 for the fork, plus p$275 labor to rebuild. Thinking about sending mine there.

 

[v8only]

guys, t5 shift forks are made of cast aluminum, they don't bend, they break. I've pulled apart and rebuild a few dozen t5's, and having a purely broken shift fork is pretty rare. 99% of the time, it's the plastic tabs on the shift fork that have simply broken off....those tabs come in a rebuild kit, or can be ordered by themselves if you want to spot-fix it yourself. Astroperformance.com has them.

The lid can be pulled and the fork replaced/plastic tabs fixed quite simply by yourself and the entire internals don't have to be spilt out.

as well, the $250 rebuild kit is excessive imo. Many of the parts in that kit are inspect-re use type parts that don't need to be replaced. I order the $150 kit that has new syncros (just the fiber lined 1,2 and carbon fiber 3,4,5) new bearings and new small parts.

The whine you're experiencing is not coming from the cluster shaft, it's coming from the insert bearings on the end of the mainshaft that fit into the end of the input shaft.

Since 4th gear is actually on the input shaft, these bearings allow the input/4th to spin independently of the main shaft that contains the rest of the gears.

when you're in the other gears, the input/4th is spinning at a different rate that the mainshaft is spinning. When you shift into 4th gear, it locks the input/4th gear into the mainshaft and the two spin 1 to 1 together. When this happens the bearings between the two stop spinning since the two units are locked into each other, and your whine goes away.

What this all means is that you're chewing your mainshaft tip up, and by the time you pull it out, you'll need a new mainshaft, which is fairly expensive. Places like hanlonmotorsports can re-tip it for around $75 which is a good way to go. It may not be too late to save it, but if it's whining, then those bearings are already chewing up that mainshaft tip.

this is the end of the mainshaft. here you see the 3/4 slider which engages 3rd or 4th gear. The tips is what i'm referring to, and the input shaft slides on top of this tip, and the bearings go inside the end of the input shaft.

this is the end of the input shaft with the bearings in the end. You wouldn't believe some of the chewed up mainshafts I've seen coming in