Shifting problems

[raceace73]

Shifting problems 94 ranger 4.0 super cab. 4 speed with overdrive.

I have changed the transmission in my ranger. The old transmission locked up on me at 70mph. The race broke in the front of the transmission and the needle bearings backed off into the gears. The gears chipped them up until a piece of gear got wedged in the teeth and locked her up.

The replacement (junk yard) mazda transmission has been fine for the most part and I have run it for a couple of years.

The common problem between the two transmission is getting it in hear at times. Often 1st and reverse are hardest. Some times it will shift fine, others it will not go into gear even if I go through other gears first.

I reused the top assembly(name?) off of my old transmission so that's the only part that is still the same. I can't remember exactly why but I thing the shifter location/angle or shifter (stick) mount from the replacment transmission did not work with my truck/shift lever.

I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem?

I saw there was a "shifter rebuild kit" for $15 at advance but it looks to be just a bushing or something.

What do you think I need the shifter rebuild kit or the whole assembly with the forks and sliders?

Also where is the model number on my transmission? (Mazda Trans)

Thanks all

 

[RangerX]

If it's a manual trans, it's an M5OD, aka M5R1.
if you're having shifting issues, especially th ones you describe, it's the slave cylinder. Did you put a new one in when you did the trans swap?
Possible the system just needs to be bled better, but it's more likely that the slave is going. Did it used to shift okay?
You can do some search and read here and see that it's common.
The shifter bushing kit can help slightly, and it's cheap, and easy to do.the bushing wear over time, and the stick will be sloppy loose.
I do know the if the junkyard trans was from a later model truck, the shifter mounts 90 degrees different from your 94, so maybe that's what you're talking about swapping the top assembly?

 

[raceace73]

Yes I think you are correct in saying that the shifter was off 90 degrees. If I recall correctly I tried to use the too assembly that was on the new transmission but it would not line up. I think I ended up putting the old one on.

It never did shift right, although some times were better than others. It kind of feels like the sword and the stone some times lol

I never replaced the slave cylinder. But we did replace the throw out bearing.
I do not have a soft pedal at all.


So is there a way to bleed it without dropping the transmission?


Thanks,

 

[RangerX]

So is there a way to bleed it without dropping the transmission?

Sure. There's a bleeder screw on the side of the trans, right where the clutch hydraulic line goes in.
I suggest searching and reading as much as possible on the procedure. There's several different variations on the basic way to bleed, because the Ford clutch is difficult to bleed correctly.
Bleeding may not solve your problem, but it's where you should start, since it's the easiest and it's free!

 

[raceace73]

I will search around for some instruction thanks.

Do you guys think it is still my master cylinder if I never really had too much trouble getting it out of gear? Sometimes it is difficult but not often.

Thanks all

 

[RangerX]

Slave, not master.
If it used to shift fine with the old trans, and now it doesn't with the replacement trans, it could be as simple as needing better bleeding because the hydraulic line was disconnected to do the swap and got a little air in the system, or it could be that the replacement trans came with a slave that was already failing.

 

[raceace73]

Slave cylinder, you are correct I misspoke.

The old Trans had the same problem which is why I was thinking that it was that top shifting assembly, because it was a common part.

Thanks