swapped in a manual transmission from an explorer this summer and it was been working very well until about 4-5 days ago when you get to the top speed of a gear it starts to make whining noise. The transmission will also do it when you are in neutral idling, the sound will go away when the clutch is depressed and then comes back when you let off the clutch. Any explanations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey Caleb, Sounds like the throw out bearing. When you did the swap did you get a new hydraulic clutch and throw out bearing and then bleed the system? And while you had the transmission out did you replace the rear seal ? Just an extra item that folks forget.......

 

Check your fluid, hell change it.

 

I did not put a new slave cylinder in but I did put a new master cylinder, new clutch assembly, and I got the flywheel grooved. I did not replace the rear seal either. what are the chances that is the rear seal? what would be involved in replacing the rear seal? I remember checking the throw out bearing before i put the transmission in but I can't remember if I replaced it or not.

 

^ That right there.
Does it even have the correct fluid in it ?
Change it to remove all doubt.

 

Any time you do a swap as transmissions or a clutch job, you always replace, I mean NEW, the hydraulic clutch and throw out bearing and service the flywheel besides the clutch and pressure plate. . While you have the transmission out and outa the way, replace the "Rear Crank Seal".

 

Well this answered most of my questions for my own truck but I was wondering how difficult it is to change the throw out bearing, I did everything else when I changed out the clutch after getting my truck but didn't know to change the bearing when doing so, actually I dont believe I did the crank seal either now that I think about it >_<

 

-I did change the oil when I put it in. I pulled the shift forks off and inspected everything I could. I also cleaned the gears and rinsed them with automatic transmission fluid. I have been told that there are mainly two kinds of fluids manual transmission takes. Automatic transmission fluid and 80/90w gear oil. The oil was much too viscus to be 80/90 so I put automatic transmission fluid in. I have also changed the fluid 3 times since I put the transmission in in August. Just to make sure, should I be using automatic transmission fluid?

-How do you replace the rear seal? I replaced the pilot bearing when the transmission went in as well.

 

If it's a M5OD-R1 / R2 Yes, you'll use Automatic Fluid. As for the rear crank seal, don't worry about that right now, it's one of those things while you have the transmission out, might as well change it since you're already there doing the clutch job. Like preventative maintenance basically. You'll have a chance at that when you'll have to change the throw out bearing. Easy to do, it's a round seal like the inside wheel bearing seal, pull it and gently tap the new one in......

 

Oh yes, before I forget this, another preventative maintenance item. While you have your M5OD-R1 / R2 transmission out and at your feet while doing the clutch job. you see that gaping hole where the shifter mounts, look just on the back side of shifter mount area and you'll see 3 rubber plugs. Once you find them clean them and the area around them, then gently remove them wipe them down. get some silicone sealer and apply around the inner lip of the plugs and reinstall.

I did a copy of a write up on this "Drivetrain Tech" called "M50D R1 5 speed manual transmission Warning notice and fix......" which will take you though the process. Please note where it states:" prior to removing the shifter, place transmission in 1st gear", DON'T!! Place the transmission in neutral.

You can't miss them, but if you have problems go to "mypowerblock.com" and look for my group, "Ford Ranger 2.3" and look in the discussions for this same write up and there's a couple of photos there that will help to identify the location and the plugs.......

 

The t/o bearing should not be spinning when the clutch pedal is released, so it shouldn't be making the noise

 

pcolliuns, cearritsenn stated that it whined while the clutch was engaged, or the pedal was up and stopped when the clutch was disengaged, or the pedal depressed.

The throw out bearing is constantly spinning while engaged, not when it's disengaged. Thus the throw out bearing is out..........

 

This is why I say its not a T/O bearing. If your foot is 100% off the clutch pedal (with the clutch engaged and the truck moving), there should be no sounds. There is No t/o bearing spinning at that time.

also backwards from what it really should be. when the clutch is depressed (disengaged, truck not moving), the bearing makes contact with the PP to release the clutch, which is when It should be making noise.

I had a '97 that did this with a brand new greased up factory T/O bearing. It was probably a tranny bearing, I sold the truck before I could 100% what it was but it wasn't the T/o bearing cause it did it with the old and new clutch set.

 

I ignored a whine for a couple weeks and paid the price. Had low fluid, cost me my tranny. Mine whined mostly in first and at low speeds. Blew pulling a trailer on the HWY.

 

I always thought that it was a t/o bearing noise if it squeaked when you're not pressing the clutch. Or at least that was supposed to be the case when I had the clutch done on my Mustang.

 

throw out bearing noise will only be heard when you push the clutch pedal down and the bearing is engaging the clutch pressure plate. if it is whining when the clutch pedal is released the fluid level is low, wrong fluid, or a bearing is going in the transmission

 

Hmm I don't know what it would've been then, at least in my car. Fluid was fine and all I had replaced was the tob and pilot bearing, and it definitely went away. Unless the pilot bearing was bad, but that sounded a lot less common than the throwout. Would there be a fundamental difference between a car and a Ranger that could be the case. I swear everyone on the Mustang boards talked about it being a common tob issue but I don't claim to be an expert. As long as neither vehicle makes the damn squeaking I'm good.