-Hello all,

I have a leak coming from the top of my transmission housing. I have a M5R2 trans mated to a 5.0L. I pulled the carpet and transmission tunnel cover, and discovered that it doesn't seem to be the shift rail plugs that went bad but further up where the actual shifter sits. The leak seems to be coming from the bottom part of the shifter itself. I don't think I can pull the shifter housing off of the trans from inside the truck.

I've ordered a shifter repair kit. Part #917-551
Shift rail plugs x3. #555-108
Shifter housing gasket.

What would be the easiest way to maintenance the issue?

Do I need to pull the transmission or drop it?

 

You have to lift the transmissions shift cover up quite high because of the shift forks, pictures here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...cs-inside.html

So dropping the transmission would be needed...............unless you wanted to cut out the floor metal enough to lift it out, and then hit wrecking yard to cut out a larger section that you could then screw/rivet to remaining floor plates for reassembly, but dropping trans would be best

Never really heard of this trans leaking there so could be cover is cracked

 

Took the Hurst shifter apart, the previous owner put a little pansy amount of RTV to make the bottom gasket and what a surprise it failed. I'm going to do the breather notch that I've seen on other forums. I honestly thought it was the shift rail plugs but I guess not!

 

Sorry for the thread drift, but how do you like the Hurst shifter?

 

It's all good, I don't have the oem to compare against, but other shifter's I've touched/driven, I can say I like the hurst; its notchy, direct, and has a nice throw when rowing the gears. Very nice downshifts too. I would recommend it but the fact these have such an issue with leaks really sucks. Hopefully when my shifter rebuild kit comes in, the issue of leaks will be fixed.

I'd give it an 8/10 only because of this leak issue.

 

For what it's worth, I found this thread about a likely solution:
Shane, Hurst vent question. | Ranger Forum - Ford Truck Fans

 

I found it shortly after making this thread, I appreciate the help. I'm going to do that notch and report back on how it goes. There's a lot of debate whether these transmission need a breather line, I think yes but there is a split consensus