Explorer's Mazda Transmission

[wpurple]

Does any one know where I can get the spec's to the Mazda 5 speed in regard to the max HP it can handle?

Also, For all of you who are using the transmission, What are some of the problems encountered with this transmission aside from the plugs deteriorating.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[drew22]

Mazda 5 speed transmission

Personally my Mazda trans is really starting to piss me off. Most of the time it is almost impossible to shift into first or reverse. Speed shifting is a nightmare, just shifting gears is hard. I think that my slave cylinder\throughout bearing is just about dead. Does anyone out know if there is a better transmission that can be put in a 96 explorer, I am really starting to get sick of this $#*@.

Later on,

Drew

 

[felsmann]

Drew,
It is a nightmare. Your diagnostic is right. Do your clutch and replace the slave and bearings and it will improve 100%, but after doing that you have to make sure the shop bleeds it correctly. This clutch is almost impossible to bleed in just a few minutes.

 

[DM]

I had the same problems with my tranny. Starting at about 90k miles it would barely go into 1st, and was tough to get in 2nd and reverse. Sometimes I had to shut the truck off and restart it to get the syncros to open up and let me get in gear. At 110k I had enough, and had it rebuilt. The throwout bearing, slave cylinder and all the related parts had to be replaced. Clutch of course also. The hydraulic cylinder for the clutch was bad also. I had them install a heavy duty T-O bearing and clutch, and it should help. felsman is right about bleeding it correctly, this was a good shop that I used and it took them the better part of a morning to bleed it correctly. All in all it was $875.00 for a more rugged trans. I am happy with it now even with larger tires, etc.

 

[Tony91Sport]

Ya know, i cant get any short throw shifters for this damn thing either, or a different shift knob, forget this, im getting a newer, automatic Explorer...

Tony 91 Sport

 

[1hotjava]

wpurple,

Im not sure about HP, but I remember reading a while back (sorry dont remember the source) that the R1 manual can only handle about 250ft*lb of torque (which does not leave much room for mods since a stock 4.0L OHV puts out 220ft*lb). This is why there is no manual on 4.0l SOHC and 4.9L V-8.

 

[Weatherman]

Actually, I put a new clutch on my 91 last weekend, it was a ***** to get it apart, but it went together fairly easy. Personally, I didn't have any trouble bleeding the slave cylinder. The quick connect fitting doesn't loose any fluid while disconnected, so just install new slave, hook everything back up, have assistant pump the pedal a few times and hold it, open the bleeder, close it, repeat. The reservoir is small, so I was refilling it every 2 bleeds or so. I think it took us about 5 to 10 minutes to get it bled. Works OK, engages the plate where it should, etc.

Just my 2 cents,

-Ben