My 1st T5 Rebuild... Quick Question

[broncojunkie]

Hi. I'm new here and haven't really had a chance to introduce myself. I have an 82GT and an 88GT hatchback. Both have been sitting for over a decade. I'm fixing up the 88 first, so the 82 is on the backburner.

I rebuilt the T5 last week, which I pulled from the 88. I had another used one to put in temporarily, but I plan on rebuilding it soon. After putting everything back together, I can shift through gears 1-4 easily. I can't seem to get it into 5th or reverse. Took it back apart and everything looks ok. Haven't intake the shift lever yet. Is this normal, or should it slide right into those gears? I just want to make sure before installing it. Thanks!

 

[Lscam580]

Are you trying to shift it with out moving the input shaft? Or are you turning and shifting?

 

[broncojunkie]

I actually have a shifter installed, but just the 3" piece to hold onto. My apologies. Should have been more clear. I have a new shifter on the way, but was just seeing if I could get through all the gears. Already had to take it back apart a couple times because I had trouble getting everything lined up. I bumped the shift rail out of whack putting it back together.

 

[broncojunkie]

Just had an old shifter lying around, but no lever attached to it.

 

[broncojunkie]

If anyone has a T5 lying around, maybe you could try running through the gears. I think I recall trying this with the one currently in my car, and it didn't shift through all gears easily. I'm thinking this might be normal.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Reverse is a little harder to get into due to not being synchronized. I'd wait until you have a shifter on it to get the final verdict. If you have trouble getting it to go, try rotating the input shaft slightly and try it again. But on a bench top you should be able to shift to all 6 locations

 

[broncojunkie]

Reverse is a little harder to get into due to not being synchronized. I'd wait until you have a shifter on it to get the final verdict. If you have trouble getting it to go, try rotating the input shaft slightly and try it again. But on a bench top you should be able to shift to all 6 locations

Ok. I believe you are correct. Will try it. If it still won't shift, I'll take it back apart. I did try rotating the input shaft, but no luck. Thanks for the info!

 

[rd]

I had to put a counter shaft in a T5 back in Jan or Feb. I do not remember exactly the issue, but I had to remove the shifter cover and the tailshaft housing about four times to get it to work properly. May have been the shift rail or the lever that does reverse.

 

[broncojunkie]

I had to put a counter shaft in a T5 back in Jan or Feb. I do not remember exactly the issue, but I had to remove the shifter cover and the tailshaft housing about four times to get it to work properly. May have been the shift rail or the lever that does reverse.

Yep. Took me a few tries, as well. Very tricky getting everything lined up right. I remember thinking the 5th/reverse fork and slider assembly being sloppy, but figured the tail shaft housing would straighten it out. Not sure if that's the problem, but it's the first thing I'll check.