Whining Sound

[c0ld br3w]

Hi, new here but need some input!
I have a 1997 Explorer 5Speed Manual
It began making a Whining sound higher the gear louder it gets!
Now I checked the gearoil, got a face full of Automatic trans fluid, it calls for 75w90 gear oil so I drained it and got the correct fluid! There was no shavings in the drained fluid and very little on the drain plug magnet. The tranny still shifts fine and I've drove standards all my life and I "sync shift" or "straight shift" most of the time, habbit from driving big rigs for a few years.
It still maked the sound and I got the correct fluid now that I discovered the previous owner was a moron any ideas what else it could be??
I'll be checking the rearend fluid probabbly tomorrow but there is no slack so I don't think it's the rearend.
This is my only ride so I'd like to fix it before I get stranded!

 

[koda2000]

you're going to have to narrow down where this sound is coming from. it's most likely a bearing in the trans or diff, but there are multiple bearings in both, so figure out which is making the noise and then you're looking are rebuilding/replacing one or the other.

 

[c0ld br3w]

you're going to have to narrow down where this sound is coming from. it's most likely a bearing in the trans or diff, but there are multiple bearings in both, so figure out which is making the noise and then you're looking are rebuilding/replacing one or the other.

Do u mean rebuild the whole transmssion?? I knew I would eventally need a rebuild cause the little truck was rough when I got it, If that be the case does anyone know if there is a kit to make a 5speed to a 6speed or if any 6speed tranny would bolt up? Would be nice for interstate runs.

 

[koda2000]

Do u mean rebuild the whole transmssion?? I knew I would eventally need a rebuild cause the little truck was rough when I got it, If that be the case does anyone know if there is a kit to make a 5speed to a 6speed or if any 6speed tranny would bolt up? Would be nice for interstate runs.

well, if the noise is coming from the tranny and you have to remove it and take it apart, it doesn't make sense to just replace one or a couple of bearings without rebuilding the hole thing.

BTW, according to what I've read, a 1997 Explorer manual trans should have Mercon ATF in it and not hypoid gear oil.

if the trans is making noise it will probably be cheaper (and easier) to get a good used, or rebuilt, tranny if you feel the truck is worth the cost, and while the trans is out consider replacing the clutch, throw-out and pilot bearings. mo money, mo money... or just drive it till it dies.

 

[c0ld br3w]

well, if the noise is coming from the tranny and you have to remove it and take it apart, it doesn't make sense to just replace one or a couple of bearings without rebuilding the hole thing.

BTW, according to what I've read, a 1997 Explorer manual trans should have Mercon ATF in it and not hypoid gear oil.

if the trans is making noise it will probably be cheaper (and easier) to get a good used, or rebuilt, tranny if you feel the truck is worth the cost, and while the trans is out consider replacing the clutch, throw-out and pilot bearings. mo money, mo money... or just drive it till it dies.

From the inside it sounds like the tranny but open the door and duck down (dangerous yes I know but I was in the country while doing it) it seems to be from the rear drivers side, it is louder while on the gas and barly hearable when off the gas.
I did go to Oreilly's to ask about the fluid, they had no match for my truck and called a local n mechanic shop for advice (personally I would of thought straight 90w gear oil but hw said that model Explorer/Ranger calls for the 75w90) Soon as it stops raining and dries up I'll crawl under it and check it out sittin in a mudhole of a driveway right now.

 

[koda2000]

From the inside it sounds like the tranny but open the door and duck down (dangerous yes I know but I was in the country while doing it) it seems to be from the rear drivers side, it is louder while on the gas and barly hearable when off the gas.
I did go to Oreilly's to ask about the fluid, they had no match for my truck and called a local n mechanic shop for advice (personally I would of thought straight 90w gear oil but hw said that model Explorer/Ranger calls for the 75w90) Soon as it stops raining and dries up I'll crawl under it and check it out sittin in a mudhole of a driveway right now.

I Googled it and it came back as Mercon ATF for the 5-speed manual, which didn't surprise me at all, but i'll let someone who knows for sure chime in. do you have an owner's manual? it would tell you what to use.

Q- what type of oil to use in a '97 Explorer 5-speed manual trans?

Answer:
According to the owners manual, a 1997 Ford Explorer 5 speed
manual transmission takes Ford Motorcraft Mercon ATF (automatic
transmission fluid)

 

[c0ld br3w]

After reading on several sites and finding a link to an old post from this site think I found it!
Seems there are 3 rubber plugs that deteriorate over time! Now in my thinking (correct me if it sounds dumb) if one or more of these plugs have managed to work their way out and I live on rough roads! I could just be hearing the natural song of those metal gears turning each other!! Makes since it would get louder and more frequent higher the gear! Now tranny rebuilders suggest replacing these with metal freeze plugs and I screen shot the page with part numbers. An access panel under the carpet will allow access to change these!!
As far as gear oil I talked to a friend (a military mechanic) he has both a Mazda and a Ranger with this tranny and he replaced the ATF with regular 90w and never had an issue he did warn that if I ever travel where it is very cold (but I stick to the South) that the gear oil may thicken and cause issues!
So think I'll swing by OReillys and see if they got these plugs next month, in the mean time just keep the oil checked so I don't burn it up!
What yall think???

 

[c0ld br3w]

I Googled it and it came back as Mercon ATF for the 5-speed manual, which didn't surprise me at all, but i'll let someone who knows for sure chime in. do you have an owner's manual? it would tell you what to use.

Q- what type of oil to use in a '97 Explorer 5-speed manual trans?

Answer:
According to the owners manual, a 1997 Ford Explorer 5 speed
manual transmission takes Ford Motorcraft Mercon ATF (automatic
transmission fluid)

No owners manual (don't know why people lose or keep them whem when they sell a vehicle) I need to find one and get a chilton and hayse books as well I plan on keeping this rig a long time I always loved this body style and manual tran rigs are getting harder and harder to find

 

[koda2000]

No owners manual (don't know why people lose or keep them whem when they sell a vehicle) I need to find one and get a chilton and hayse books as well I plan on keeping this rig a long time I always loved this body style and manual tran rigs are getting harder and harder to find

you could probably find a owner's manual on ebay, I kept the one from my '01 XLT when I scrapped it, but that doesn't help you. I know what you mean about people keeping them. I never take them out of my cars as there's no better place for them to be.