Help with manual tranny/clutch issue on '94.

[94_explorer]

Hi, it's been a while since I've posted.

I have a 1994 Explorer Sport 2dr, 2wd with a manual transmission.

I've been having this problem with my clutch/tranny. It's been getting harder and harder to put it into gear, especially while stopped. For a long time I could shift it fine once I was in motion, but I think it's finally about ready to give up. I took it in 6 months ago to a mechanic, and he did some hydraulic work on the slave, etc. It stiffened up the clutch pedal, but it didn't help the shifting at all. If I turn the engine off, it get's into gear much easier, but that's getting harder too. Soo, my uneducated guess is that it's a clutch, throwout bearing, and/or perhaps a master cylinder - one or all of these maybe.

So, my questions are:
1. How much should I have to pay for these items to be replaced? (ballpark)
2. How difficult would it be to attempt this job myself?
(would I need special tools?)
3. Is there anything else that could be the problem? (like the tranny itself?)

Thank you soo much for any assistance with this problem,
Marc

 

[RangerX]

I had the same problem last year. I got a new clutch package from dialaclutch for somewhere around $250. It came with everything.
I did it at home in the driveway with no special tools, just a floor jack, torque wrench, and hand tools. I did NOT know what I was doing, and it still came out shifting great!

Moral: Go for it! It should be somewhat easier for you, being 2wd.

 

[94_explorer]

Thanks for your reply. Wow, that easy huh?

I checked dialaclutch, and it says that it includes the internal slave cylinder required for the job. How about the Master Cylinder - did you replace that? And did the kit include the throwout bearing?

Thanks again...

 

[alexefron]

if its an m5od trans check to see that it has atf in it...

 

[94_explorer]

Hmm. Excuse my ignorance. What exactly does m5od mean? Manual 5 speed overdrive?
ATF - Automatic Transmission Fluid? I can't imagine that there would be ATF if it's manual?

 

[alexefron]

m5od is the mazda 5 speed overdrive trans, and yes it uses ATF in order to properly lubricate the syncros. Many people (mechanics included) will put gear oil in it, and then it has trouble getting into gear.

 

[94_explorer]

Interesting. So you think it could be just the gear oil? I guess I could try to replace that first maybe.

Another Q - Does anyone know where to order the replacement plugs for the top of the tranny?

 

[alexefron]

pull the fill plug and see what color the stuff that drips out is...

 

[RangerX]

Thanks for your reply. Wow, that easy huh?

I checked dialaclutch, and it says that it includes the internal slave cylinder required for the job. How about the Master Cylinder - did you replace that? And did the kit include the throwout bearing?

I did not say easy. It took me over a month , but I did it with baby steps, since it was all new to me. It's fairly simple in retrospect, though. Search here for 'replace clutch' to read up on the procedure, and get a Haynes manual, you'll be all set.

I did not replace the master. And FYI, I went with the LUK Gold clutch. Luk is what's in there from the factory.

 

[94_explorer]

Oh, sorry! Mental note - not 'easy'.

Yeah, I saw the LUK brand, which I can get for under 2 bills. Actually, the gold is more I think... I've got a Chiltons, which is probably not quite as good as a haynes, but it has the procedure in it.

I think I'll replace those rubber plugs while I'm at it, as long as I can get to 'em.

 

[RangerX]

Here's a link for replacing those plugs. http://draco.acs.uci.edu/explorer/manual.html