Sup guys, I have a 97 xlt ranger with the 5 speed mazda tranny. I've had the truck for a little over 2 years now and absolutely love rangers and off-roading! Recently, the transmission blew while driving across the eastern california desert on the 15 freeway. Turns out, the input shaft bearing blew a seal and most of the oil drained out (i probably was just being careless and never checked the trans fluid). I towed it to my uncles house in Orange county and with lots of help from him rebuilt the transmission. Now I have an issue where when I put the truck in 5th gear the trans rattles and sounds like a diesel engine knocking. It will drive fine in 5th but makes just all around a horrible sound. I'm thinking that there is some component inside the trans that, when only in 5th gear, vibrates like a bat outta hell. Has anyone else had this issue? I must have screwed up something while rebuilding it such as shimming or something. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, trans will need to come out

No, I haven't read about that specific symptom


The M5OD-R1 transmissions are fairly trouble free for the millions that are out on the road.
They are engine specific, i.e. an M5OD-R1 from a 2.3l or 4.0l engine will not bolt to a 3.0l engine, bell housing is not detachable

They all use ATF, yes Automatic Transmission Fluid, NOT gear oil like most manual transmissions.

I assume speed is not a factor, i.e. 55MPH in 4th is OK but 55MPH in 5th causes the symptom.

5th is Overdrive gearing so 1:0.75 ratio, a lot of stress on overdrive gears because of that ratio