Recently developed an intermittent problem when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. I get a grinding like the synchro is not working. 96 F150, 4.9L inline 6, Mazda 5 Speed transmission, 83K miles. Only does it when going from 2nd to 3rd. Reverse is fine, no grinding. I changed the transmission fluid as per the maintenance guide. At 30K, 60K and I just changed it yesterday at 83K to see if that would help and it did not. Some shifts are fine and then some grind when going 2nd to 3rd. Clutch seems fine, slave cylinder not leaking. What is the best option if I have to have the dang thing rebuilt? I'm sure I might as well have a new clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and slave cylinder at the same time. Any help or suggestions appreciated. Bob

 

You might want to consider a fresh rear main seal and pilot bearing. As long as you're going to have it out...

Eddie

 

Is it worth rebuilding this transmission or should I try to buy a better one like the ZF that will fit? I am wondering if anyone else has experienced problems with the Mazda 5 speed? Thanks for the tip on the rear main seal. Do you have to pull the pan to change it? Thanks.

 

I have a 95 f150 4x4 4.9, the mazda tranny sucks i had to have mine rebuilt with only 75000miles on the truck. i would look for a better tranny if you like to use your truck, as a truck

 

wow,are these mazda trannys that bad?i've got 50k on mine,is this what i have to look forward to?mine operates sweet,but then again,i drive it,not beat on it...Dave 1996 F150 5.0 5SP 2WD

 

Just replaced my Mazda 5 Speed in 88 Bronco, 215K on it, syncros were gone, talked to Trans shop guy in Phoenix (Phoenix Hard Parts, they sell on Ebay) He told me Mazda trans are good for 100 K, ZF's he doesn't recommend at all, rebuild your transfer case at the same time if you got one... Rebuilt Trans cost me $750.00, probably half of what I could have gotten it done for locally...

John

 

 

I would recomend you stay as far away from """"Phoenix Hard Parts""""as possible!!! The quality of there work sucks!!!!!!!!!! I got my E40D from them and we had lots of issues getting it in the truck the pan had 4 different size bolts holding it on and two of the holes were completly stripped out.

 

i dont know what they have against the zf ive had good luck as well as lots of others but ive also had good luck with mazdas my friend has a mazda in his explorer that has the same syncro problems from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th but i dont know how many miles are on it but i do know alot of them are hard miles we drive it like a race car and beat on it offroad pretty often which im sure didnt help but it still drives fine i usually just double clutch those 2 shifts or skip one or the other

if you have the money to throw around have it rebiult and do the clutch but if it were me since everything else works fine i would take it out and have the syncro replaced by a trans shop unless you can do it yourself but i dont think id have it fully rebiult because of the low milage but id let the trans shop decide a good shop should be able to look at it and tell if it needs a rebiuld or not i know of an honest one that wouldnt screw anyone but im sure there are others that would