Third gear is being a jerk...

[will_95gt]

Ok, so about a year and a half ago I dropped the car off at a mustang specialsts' place called "slater's automotive". I had someone, i suppose slater, put in a rebuilt t5 in and swap it out with the old t5 I had (which had worn out synchros and no 2nd gear)

Now about 17 months later, third gear is grinding every once in a while when I shift into it. Its not popping out and I KNOW i'm pushing the clutch all the way down (either that or i'm going crazy).

I called Slater's and apparently the transmission only had a year warranty on it. When I told him the problem he asked (very accusingly) "well, haven't you flushed the transmission fluid???" as if its my fault.

So here is my question. How often do you need to flush the transmission fluid? Could a year and a half without a fluid flush actually cause this problem? My suspicions tell me the answer is "no" but I figured I'd ask you guys.

Thanks,

-Will

 

[GreenStangGT]

Not reasonably, no. Why would you flush tranny fluid only 17 months after a fresh install (I'm assuming with fresh fluid lol)? In fact, I would go so far as to say that flushing tranny fluid every 17 months would decrease tranny life, not lengthen it.

 

[will_95gt]

now THATS the answer i was looking for. Thanks!


Now, I could:

a. March over to Slater's and demand compensation on the grounds that I got a faulty product and have paid them over 2000 dollars in the last few years.

or

b. March over to Slater's and burn down the building.


Thanks

 

[94GTCoupe]

check the adjustment on your clutch cable first if that checks out,go to the shop and talk directly to the boss.hopefully the to of you can come to an agreement.he may have acted like a d**k on the phone,but it wont solve anything if you act the same way.be calm and speak with the man,lay out your case.if you two cant come to a resolution,then burn the place down.(just kidding)seriously,it wont hurt anything to talk,and you never know,he may have just been having a bad day when you spoke too him on the phone.good luck.

 

[will_95gt]

Touche, davis, touche... I'll be sure to post the results of our talk.

 

[94-302-vert]

Good luck man...

Look at your documentation, does it state a one year warranty and or the fluid change requirement?

Personally I like to change fluids after about 1k miles whenever something like this is worked on... Trans, rear end, new motor, etc...

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

I personally changed the fluid in mine after a thousand miles or so after the rebuild. Then another 3k after and another 3k after that and now 5k miles since then I have been doing great. And I would not go as far as to say that changing your fluid too often would shorten the life of it. On the contrar actually. Your synchros, bearings, and gears constantly having fresh fluid between them would elongate there life because no abbrassives between them means less wear. But thats just my .02. Personally i dont think your in a very good situation, since your warranty is up, I mean a terrible or hard driver could take out a t5 in less than a year. So they could tell you your lucky it even had a year warranty or that depending on your mods its normal that you took out synchros after a certain point.

Also I would try changing your fluid now to see if it helps any. And if it grinds more down shifting then upshifting, I would say it could be a delaminating synchro in which case I would say it is a defect in the manufacturing because the synchro shouldnt delaminate after only a year and a half.

 

[will_95gt]

hmm, i see. well thanks for the input guys.

So, I should have changed the fluid. I'll still talk to the guy and see what he has to say. I baby the car, really, Its just a "to school and back" type of thing so I don't see why I should have syncro problems.

 

[94-302-vert]

Synchro problems can be caused by driving style OR issues with the parts/installation/maintence...

Maybe you can even get the guy to give you a deal on the repair, let them dig in and see if it is something they did or not... Gotta talk to the guy in person and keep a level head about all of it... Let the guy drive it...

Did they do the install too? Maybe stike a deal where you do the R&R and they repair the box?

 

[GreenStangGT]

I personally changed the fluid in mine after a thousand miles or so after the rebuild. Then another 3k after and another 3k after that and now 5k miles since then I have been doing great. And I would not go as far as to say that changing your fluid too often would shorten the life of it. On the contrar actually. Your synchros, bearings, and gears constantly having fresh fluid between them would elongate there life because no abbrassives between them means less wear. But thats just my .02.

If the service is done right, and fresh fluid is installed, I don't see a reason that fluid should need to be changed after 1000 miles, or 1700 miles in the case of the original poster. I understand that if you are unsure of the quality of work, changing fluid could be a precautionary measure.

I have two friends that run Mustangs on the weekends during the summer. One of them we call the 'maintenance God' because he is so far ahead of everyone else on car maintenance that it's ridiculous. He has had more problems with tranny failure (and no, he's not a bad driver) than anyone I know. He changes the fluid every 2500-3000 miles. The other guy changes fluid essentially never (he barely does any upkeep on the car) and has no such issues with tranny failure. I know this is an isolated case, but I still think that overchanging of fluid can be detremential.

Also I would try changing your fluid now to see if it helps any. And if it grinds more down shifting then upshifting, I would say it could be a delaminating synchro in which case I would say it is a defect in the manufacturing because the synchro shouldnt delaminate after only a year and a half.

This part I do agree with, think this is good advice!

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

If the service is done right, and fresh fluid is installed, I don't see a reason that fluid should need to be changed after 1000 miles, or 1700 miles in the case of the original poster. I understand that if you are unsure of the quality of work, changing fluid could be a precautionary measure.


I have two friends that run Mustangs on the weekends during the summer. One of them we call the 'maintenance God' because he is so far ahead of everyone else on car maintenance that it's ridiculous. He has had more problems with tranny failure (and no, he's not a bad driver) than anyone I know. He changes the fluid every 2500-3000 miles. The other guy changes fluid essentially never (he barely does any upkeep on the car) and has no such issues with tranny failure. I know this is an isolated case, but I still think that overchanging of fluid can be detremential.



This part I do agree with, think this is good advice!

Well I did the rebuild myself so I know it was great quality work lol. And well I am another one of those people who are very anal about maintanece. However I have had zero issues with my t5 and a buddy of mine with a t56 in his vette is the same way and 100k miles later no issues either and another friend of mine with a turbo coupe fox same thing, lol. sometimes it just depends on driver/style and clutch condition, speed of shifts and time between shifts, the variables are infinite. I was just giving my .02 and my outcome. The reason behind me changing the fluid 1k miles after rebuild was because I wanted to make sure i got any debris that may have found its way in there or ANYTHING at all that may have found its way in there during the rebuild process while it was sitting on the table and I walked away or w/e, out. But thats just me. Also I drive the bajesus out of my car mileage and track time. One day I made about 30 passes within just a few hours. Consistant as hell I might add this car is also and never gets anywhere near hot. (getting off topic now, lol)

Also I didnt realize he had only put 1700 miles on it, I assumed what 1 year and 7 months would equal for me (20k miles lol ) With 1700 miles he really shouldnt have a problem if he is conservative with his driving style. Because myself with 8 or 10k miles or so on the rebuild and smashing through gears and beating the F&UCK out of it still goes into gear as smooth as it did after the rebuild. LONG LIVE THE T5 lmao

 

[Black95GTS]

3rd gear is a notorious weak spot on a T5. If you power shift at all you have a chance of ruining it. You can google and read about how 3rd gear is nearly always the first to fail. If I was the shop I wouldn't do anything. How does he know you haven't been hammering the piss out of it, especially when your problem is the most common problem from people power shifting?

I know that Devil's Advocate can be annoying, but it is what it is.

Adam

 

[will_95gt]

I thought second gear was the most common problem gear for hard drivers?

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

I thought second gear was the most common problem gear for hard drivers?

I am not sure, in my last stang i powershifted 2nd and 3rd and 2nd was the first to go, I try not to powershift any gears in this stang with my fresh t5. But I have and its still fine but I would imagine 2nd gear would be first to go but I have heard 3rd gear tends to go out with a few people as well. Its all luck I guess. I could see 2nd gear synchros lasting much longer than 3rd because its 3 peice as to 3rds 1 peice. but ten again when I rebuilt the one in this one it was 1st gear synchro that was gone and 3rd that was starting to delaminate. It all depends but 2nd and 3rd are common problem areas because those are typically the gears under the most stress and that see the quickest shifts.

 

[GreenStangGT]

I just now realized that the OP didn't ever mention the number of miles he'd driven his car. He said 17 months, which I then, somehow, transcribed in my mind as 1700 miles. I take back my commentary to this point, except to say that I advocate tranny fluid changes approximately every 15k miles if you drive as hard as most of us do, or 30k if you granny your tranny.

 

[will_95gt]

Gotcha'. The t5 i had replaced had absolutely no 2nd gear. The previous owner thought he was Vin Desiel or something.

Since I've had them replace it with their rebuilt one I haven't powershifted through one gear! I haven't even done a burnout/doughnut and have barely gotten on it. Some of my friends even say I drive like a grandpa. So I really think slater's should replace it.

Anyways, its wednesday now and I'll be able to let you guys know probably by friday.

Can you guys think of anyway to prove to them that i've babied it?... eh, the politics of going to the mechanic makes me sick.

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

Gotcha'. The t5 i had replaced had absolutely no 2nd gear. The previous owner thought he was Vin Desiel or something.

Since I've had them replace it with their rebuilt one I haven't powershifted through one gear! I haven't even done a burnout/doughnut and have barely gotten on it. Some of my friends even say I drive like a grandpa. So I really think slater's should replace it.

Anyways, its wednesday now and I'll be able to let you guys know probably by friday.

Can you guys think of anyway to prove to them that i've babied it?... eh, the politics of going to the mechanic makes me sick.

How many miles have you put on it. And if you have babied it like u say then the tabs on the shift forks should show zero signs of wear (Hence no marks what so ever from slamming gears) that should help your cause if u tell them about that,

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

I advocate tranny fluid changes approximately every 15k miles if you drive as hard as most of us do, or 30k if you granny your tranny.

+2

 

[will_95gt]

Cool, sounds like a good rule of thumb.

 

[Black95GTS]

With all due respect, you are SOL. It's been well over a year. The shop has fulfilled their part of the bargain. If you bring it back to have him work on it again, ask about purchasing an extended warranty for a couple more years.

I don't think mentioning the contact points of an aftermarket shifter that he didn't install or buy for you is going to help your case.

Adam