HELP! M5 Shift Rail Plugs

doonze · 08-01-2009, 02:22 PM

Ok, I've heard about the 3 plugs on top of the shift rail that fail, I'm having a bit of fluid leaking out from what seems the top of the M5 tranny. Now where the heck are these things??? I've looked around and see some stuff on the sides and bottom, but I can't see any part of the top of this thing... How the heck do you get to them, even to check them??? Also anyone know where you can get the replacement metal plugs.

I searched for this stuff, and found lots of threads talking about them, but no how-to or instructions or anything. I know they are supposed to be on top, behind the shift rails, kinda facing the rear or something...but I don't see a way to get to em! Or check em! Any ideas? I'll post a how to if I do this thing.

**IZwack** · 08-01-2009, 03:03 PM

(attached image)

*glfredrick* · 08-01-2009, 03:06 PM

Have to lower the crossmember to see them. Common fix is to replace the rubber plugs with steel cup plugs (like engine frost plugs). May have to pull the transmission to really do the fix.

Also, make sure you run the RIGHT oil. Many guys make the mistake of running gear oil. It takes auto transmission oil. Check the manual.

**RangerX** · 08-01-2009, 04:58 PM

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singlet...es/manual.html

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...aintenance.htm

doonze · 08-01-2009, 11:45 PM

Hmmm..... Does anyone know if we can get to ours from the cab too? It looks like it should be almost right under the shift boot, unless I'm mistaken. I haven't had mine off, if anyone has let me know what's under there! LOL, I might just pull mine and see anyway!

Tshark299 · 08-02-2009, 04:06 PM

You can get at them by just removing the shift boot and upper shifter. I just re-sealed mine last week by doing it that way. I used a flat screwdriver to pry them out. Then I degreased them, and then coated them with a bead of RTV after they dried. I used needle-nose pliers to lower them down and back into their holes. After letting them cure overnight I haven't had a leak since.

Freshmeat · 08-02-2009, 05:18 PM

I'm glad I found this before I installed my transmission- plugs are ordered, will be installed Wednesday. I'd have hated to install it and then have to deal with it leaking everywhere.

*Brian1* · 08-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Here are a few pics and a short writeup I did several years ago when I did mine: http://home.comcast.net/~explorer4x4/tech.htm

Freshmeat · 08-02-2009, 09:06 PM

Brian1, thanks for the post- saw a couple other tips on your page that I may try to knock out this weekend, as mud is a primary ingredient in most of the local trails.

08-01-2009, 02:22 PM	#1
doonze Wannabe Elite Explorer Fayetteville, Ar '93 X Sport Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 507 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	HELP! M5 Shift Rail Plugs Ok, I've heard about the 3 plugs on top of the shift rail that fail, I'm having a bit of fluid leaking out from what seems the top of the M5 tranny. Now where the heck are these things??? I've looked around and see some stuff on the sides and bottom, but I can't see any part of the top of this thing... How the heck do you get to them, even to check them??? Also anyone know where you can get the replacement metal plugs. I searched for this stuff, and found lots of threads talking about them, but no how-to or instructions or anything. I know they are supposed to be on top, behind the shift rails, kinda facing the rear or something...but I don't see a way to get to em! Or check em! Any ideas? I'll post a how to if I do this thing. __________________ Justin - Stock 1993 Explorer Sport 4x4 How To: Doonze's Ultimate Radiator Flush How to pull CEL codes on your 1st gen X My Homesite My Blog

08-01-2009, 03:03 PM	#2
IZwack Germantown, MD Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 22,381 Vehicle Specs	(attached image) Attached Images __________________ »»»»»...how'd the moon get there, how'd the moon get there?

08-01-2009, 03:06 PM	#3
glfredrick "The Pastornator" Louisville, Kentucky 86-98 Ranger STX Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 3,441 Vehicle Specs	Have to lower the crossmember to see them. Common fix is to replace the rubber plugs with steel cup plugs (like engine frost plugs). May have to pull the transmission to really do the fix. Also, make sure you run the RIGHT oil. Many guys make the mistake of running gear oil. It takes auto transmission oil. Check the manual. __________________ http://www.crawl4christ.com

08-01-2009, 04:58 PM	#4
RangerX Moderator Elite Ranger Omao, Kauai '93 Ranger XLT 4X4 Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 7,230 Vehicle Specs	http://www.explorerforum.com/Singlet...es/manual.html http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...aintenance.htm __________________ Bill Collins 93 Ranger XLT 4X4 "Beauty is only sheet metal deep."

08-01-2009, 11:45 PM	#5
doonze Wannabe Elite Explorer Fayetteville, Ar '93 X Sport Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 507 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Hmmm..... Does anyone know if we can get to ours from the cab too? It looks like it should be almost right under the shift boot, unless I'm mistaken. I haven't had mine off, if anyone has let me know what's under there! LOL, I might just pull mine and see anyway! __________________ Justin - Stock 1993 Explorer Sport 4x4 How To: Doonze's Ultimate Radiator Flush How to pull CEL codes on your 1st gen X My Homesite My Blog

08-02-2009, 04:06 PM	#6
Tshark299 Wannabe Elite Explorer Upstate NY '93 XLT Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 101 Vehicle Specs	You can get at them by just removing the shift boot and upper shifter. I just re-sealed mine last week by doing it that way. I used a flat screwdriver to pry them out. Then I degreased them, and then coated them with a bead of RTV after they dried. I used needle-nose pliers to lower them down and back into their holes. After letting them cure overnight I haven't had a leak since. __________________ '93 Explorer XLT 4x4 5-speed

08-02-2009, 05:18 PM	#7
Freshmeat Wannabe Elite Explorer Denham Springs, LA 1994 Ranger STX SC Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 481 Vehicle Specs	I'm glad I found this before I installed my transmission- plugs are ordered, will be installed Wednesday. I'd have hated to install it and then have to deal with it leaking everywhere. __________________ 2012 Wrangler Unlimited: Deep Cherry, Auto, 3.73s, Rock Krawler 2.5" Max Travel, Procomp shocks, JKS Discos, Rubi rails, A.C.E. sliders, EVO ProTek Skid System, EVO Rockstars, PSC Brawler Lite with stinger and grill hoop, ENGO 10k with synthetic, 35x12.50-15 BFG KM2s, MOPAR flat flares. 1994 Ranger STX SuperCab: 3.0, M5OD, under the knife.

08-02-2009, 08:32 PM	#8
Brian1 Elite Explorer Albuquerque, NM 1991 XLT Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 4,265 Vehicle Specs	Here are a few pics and a short writeup I did several years ago when I did mine: http://home.comcast.net/~explorer4x4/tech.htm __________________ Brian 91 XLT 4x4 and My Explorer Registry 1942 GPW Rock Crawler

08-02-2009, 09:06 PM	#9
Freshmeat Wannabe Elite Explorer Denham Springs, LA 1994 Ranger STX SC Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 481 Vehicle Specs	Brian1, thanks for the post- saw a couple other tips on your page that I may try to knock out this weekend, as mud is a primary ingredient in most of the local trails. __________________ 2012 Wrangler Unlimited: Deep Cherry, Auto, 3.73s, Rock Krawler 2.5" Max Travel, Procomp shocks, JKS Discos, Rubi rails, A.C.E. sliders, EVO ProTek Skid System, EVO Rockstars, PSC Brawler Lite with stinger and grill hoop, ENGO 10k with synthetic, 35x12.50-15 BFG KM2s, MOPAR flat flares. 1994 Ranger STX SuperCab: 3.0, M5OD, under the knife.