• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

T5Z grinds...

  • Thread starter Thread starter montegoman351
  • Start date Start date May 24, 2011

montegoman351

Member
Jan 12, 2007
169
1
18
May 24, 2011
#1
  • May 24, 2011
  • #1
l, I have a T5Z in my Lincoln Mark VII, it ground going into 4th. I changed the fluid, not thinking I used Mercon V, it ground 5th, 4th gear issue gone...just moved to 5th... Okay, I drained the Mercon V out and put in regular Mercon. It still grinds, I rebuilt the trans a short while back, which doesn't make me feel good about it grinding, I used all new synchros and bearings and such, end play perfect, the whole 9 yards. It shifts great, but 5th, I have to let the gears slow down a few seconds before I shift, which sucks, but what can you do, right?

Down to the question, what fluid is best? Is there a fluid that lets the synchros "bite" a little better? I've hears 10w-30 can be used, and several people have had lots of luck with motor oil, but I don't want to mess something up. I've also heard of the GM synchromesh, but with fiber lined synchros, that's a no, so I won't run that.

Any opinions? Thanks!
 

Kdubslugga

Active Member
Jun 7, 2003
1,515
3
38
Akron, OH
May 24, 2011
#2
  • May 24, 2011
  • #2
No fluid out there is gonna make a tranny not grind, especially if it's a bent or broken shift fork.
 

montegoman351

Member
Jan 12, 2007
169
1
18
May 24, 2011
#3
  • May 24, 2011
  • #3
But why did the grind move a gear with a fluid change?? 5th gear is on the output shaft. I've have had a Steeda tri-ax on this transmission since day 1. And I don't slam it into 5th gear, maybe quick shift 1-2 or 2-3, but 3-4 and 4-5 are easy shifts, how could it be a bent fork when all other shifts are smooth as silk? #5 was perfect before the change, now it grinds. Seems to me the synchros are too slick and can't let the gear slow down in time to mesh perfectly. Hence, is there a fluid that allows the synchros to slow down quicker?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
May 25, 2011
#4
  • May 25, 2011
  • #4
Non-synthetic ATF. It's "less" slick, so it might help the synchros grab better.

Thicker fluids my possibly starve the inner needer bearings, so avoid those. They may help the shifting, but at the cost of your bearings and shafts.

A grinding gear and sometimes be caused by worn dog teeth and synchro silder rings which are not usually replaced in a rebuild. So these need to be inspected because if you install new blocker rings, but the dog teeth on the input shaft are rounded over, you can still grind gears.
 

montegoman351

Member
Jan 12, 2007
169
1
18
May 25, 2011
#5
  • May 25, 2011
  • #5
Thanks! That makes sense, I'm going to try a fluid change again, maybe I still had a little synthetic left in the case. Hopefully that'll work... Thanks for the replies!
 

montegoman351

Member
Jan 12, 2007
169
1
18
May 27, 2011
#6
  • May 27, 2011
  • #6
Okay, I changed the fluid, I went with castrol Dex/merc. I also read of other people having a 5th gear grind, sometimes caused by shifting into 5th gear at an angle. I think that could've been some of my problem, I shift into 5th by pushing the shifter all the way to the right and then into 5th, so far, no grinds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Drivetrain Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd issue
  • Scott_S
  • Apr 23, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
794
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 14, 2026
Mindseye007
C
Trans issues.
  • ChrisCruz1972
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
371
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 8, 2026
slow84lx
S
S
Engine Stalls when downshifting/coasting
  • Scott_S
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
745
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 6, 2025
Mustang5L5
Drivetrain 83’ Glx convertible C5 Trans help!
  • JacksonJared2113
  • Dec 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
401
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 26, 2025
JacksonJared2113
S
  • Locked
Drivetrain Adjustable clutch cable questions
  • Scott_S
  • Oct 31, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
437
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?