Hi guys! I'm buying a 1994 mustang 5L 5 speed Thursday and the guy says it sometimes slips out of 2nd gear... it has a short throw shifter in it.. why is it doing this? I need help? Is it expensive to fix?? Help guys!
It can be a couple things but unless the shifter stops are adjusted incorrectly I wouldnt suspect the shifter. It could be as simple as a worn/bent/damaged shift fork but it could be something else. If the fork is damaged the 1-2 slider doesnt engage locking fully in second. There are little retaining clips that engage the slider and help keep it engaged. If its not fully locking it can pop out of gear. Im not an expert with T5s but I did rebuild my own. I replaced all bearings, syncros, retainers, clips, fork pads, the counter gear the 1-2 slider and 2nd gear and a bunch of other stuff. I broke 2nd gear and ripped most of the teeth off the counter gear and it still was very easy to rebuild. Its quite easy if youre mechanically inclined. If you have a press or access to a press you can rebuilt it yourself in a day (once you have the parts). There are videos on Youtube from EricTheCarGuy with Paul C and they walk you through the entire process. If you go this route, I recommend you order your parts from Paul and get the counter gear reinforcement plate. The kit came with everything I needed other than trans assembly lube which I got on Amazon. My total rebuild was less than 600$ for all the parts. If youre going in there to fix it, you might as well rebuild it and get years and years of life out of it.
I will add that when the shift stop lock nut comes loose, the shifter stop adjusting bolt will tighten down and second gear is generally where you will notice it most by popping out of gear. It pops out because the shifter stop prevented it from fully engaging the gear. Try backing off the shift stop for 2/4/R, or at least check that it has the proper gap.
More times than not, the problem is that the synchro teeth on the second gear have worn significantly and it can't lock in gear. For a T-5 the main thing that keeps a gear from popping out is the interlocking teeth on the ring of the gear and the matching teeth inside the slider. If you look closely, those two sets of teeth are "keystone" shaped and they interlock when torque is applied. That is what keeps them from popping out of gear. When these synchro teeth get worn and rounded off, they can no longer interlock and it will start popping out of gear when you apply torque.
There are three spring loaded "keys" or sometimes called "Struts" in the synchro hub. They help to hold the synchro slider in the neutral position. Once in a gear, they do nothing to continue to hold it in gear.
The spring loaded detent ball under the shift anvil (where the shifter finger inserts) helps a little to keep the shifter in place , but it can't do anything to prevent it from popping out.
So, a shift stop that is too tight, or bad wear on the second gear and matching synchro slider will do it.
And as said above, sometimes the fork pads give out or a fork can be damaged.
Thanks so much guys! Much appreciated! Also what do you guys recommend for new lights? The guy says there's after market lens that are horrible for light.. any recommendations?
I prefer the original lights or the cobra style. Most other aftermarket light have poor performance. Add some good quality bulbs and you are all set.
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