Hey all,

I just purchase a used 2001 F150 2wd. I really like the truck but sometimes, and I do mean sometimes, the transmission seems to "grind" or something. I know little about manual transmissions, I'm guessing maybe the synchronizers??

Any suggestions.

 

Howdy howdy fellow handshaker owner! and welcome to the site.

Not doubting or knocking your driving, but you sure you have the clutch to the floor?

Unless you flat shift perfect, it will grind if the syncros have to fight a slightly engaged clutch.

A cool site to check out is www.howstuffworks.com and search for manual trannys to explain what is exactly going on inside there.

When was the last fluid change, and how many miles.

Adrianspeeder

 

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm sure the clutch is to the floor, I do the same for all the gears and this is the only time it does it....from 2nd to 3rd, no others.

Not sure on the fluid, but 62300 miles.

Is changing the fluid yourself a difficult job??

 

On my 95 Ranger 4-banger. Mine turned out to be low on fluid. I added a little and never had the problem again for 50K miles until I got rid of the truck. It may or may not be that simple for you, but I'd change the clutch fluid and transmission fluid first.

 

Then it is due prolly. Just as easy as an oil change and even a little easier in that there is no filter.

This is the side of your tranny the M5OD...



Undue the two plugs and you are halfway done. Put the drain back in and fill with Mercon ATF till you cant put anymore in. Some try to wedge the quart bottles up there, but it is a tight squeeze so I use a cheap little squeeze pump thing I got at napa. Put the plug back in and you are done.

Adrianspeeder

 

Thanks for the info, I will check my fluid today. 99 with 104K

 

It is well documented that this is a "notchy" transmission; especially on the second to third shift. It really does help to change the trans lubricant. I notice a difference right away. I would change it at least every 30M miles.

 

thanks fellas.

Looks like I got a weekend project to do!!

 

I use GM syncromesh fluid in mine. Shifts better than with the ATF.

JMC

 

i have a 99 with the 5 speed with about 97,000 miles on it. i have had the same problem since day one.

its more noticable under higher rev'd shifts.

with the last fluid change i went to a synthetic and it made no difference for me at all.

i have been driving sticks for years, all our cars have been sticks also, but this is the only vehicle where i have had this problem.

while it was under warranty i had brought it in for other issues and have mentioned this to them, and it always came back 'npf'.

its really more of a nusicance i think than anything else.

 

I think all of us with the M5OD are in the same boat. Changing the fluid every 30k seems to be the only thing to help at all, and even that doesn't "fix" the problem.

I've decided that I'm just going to have to live with the sloppy charictoristics of this transmission untill I replace the truck.

 

Wow, a supercharged stick. That must be a blast to drive.

Adrianspeeder

 

It is a blast to drive. It's hard to get moving fast from a stop though. We all know that when we rev up the engine it's harder to shift. Well this engine revs up pretty quick so the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts can be tough. It hurts alot in the quarter. This truck performs best on the highway where shifts aren't as criticle. Having the extra power makes manuvering much easier.

 

Well I changed the fluid. It was quite an easy job, except when I spilled it all over me!! Oh well.
Anyway, the old fluid was extremely dirty. It shifts smoother now and doesn't make that noise as loud or as often. I used the motorcraft mercon atf.

Thanks for all the info, really appreciated.

 

Good job!

Adrianspeeder