T5 shifting issue

[b3uhbp]

Until yesterday my T-5 always worked fine. I came to a light and it refused to go into 1st or 2nd. All other gears are fine, fluid full, only 42k since rebuild, this a non-world class T-5 . Any ideas what the problem is? Hoping it is a shifter issue not a bad tranny. Thanks

 

[Torxhead]

The first question that gets asked, is what kind of lubricant are you using? and don't say Dextron. The oem recommendation is 85w-90 gl5,Lumpy Grits likes 75-90 Valvo Syn and he seems happy with that. Make sure the clutch is adjusted correctly and you might try double clutching to get it to go in first. Sometimes the body can shift on the mounts, especially with a body lift and you could be hitting the shifter cover. You could lift up the shifter boot to check this. There have been other posts in this forum written on the T-5 so you could look up those. Sometimes tired motor mounts can cause the engine/Transmission /Transfer Case to shift to the rear and cause issues with the clutch linkage.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

T'head did a very good job of covering the basic issues.
LG

 

[b3uhbp]

The first question that gets asked, is what kind of lubricant are you using? and don't say Dextron. The oem recommendation is 85w-90 gl5,Lumpy Grits likes 75-90 Valvo Syn and he seems happy with that. Make sure the clutch is adjusted correctly and you might try double clutching to get it to go in first. Sometimes the body can shift on the mounts, especially with a body lift and you could be hitting the shifter cover. You could lift up the shifter boot to check this. There have been other posts in this forum written on the T5 so you could look up those. Sometimes tired motor mounts can cause the engine/trans/t-case to shift to the rear and cause issues with the clutch linkage.

I use Pennzoil Syncromesh. Thanks for your insights. I will look into it and get back.

 

[b3uhbp]

I use Pennzoil Syncromesh. Thanks for your insights. I will look into it and get back.

I looked into your suggestions. First, I have an after market speed shifter of some sort and I examined to ensure there was nothing interfering with shifter or linkage. I also don't have a body lift (still on original body mounts) and the engine and Transmission were rebuilt 42k miles ago so engine and tranny mounts are in good shape. The clutch seems to be adjusted well (1 to 1.25" of play). FYI, there is absolutely no movement of the stick between 1st and 2nd so I'm thinking the issue is due to the shifter and not the Transmission . I'll be talking to a Transmission today and hope to find out more. Thanks again.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OK-Do you have the OEM shifter?
If YES-re-install it.
Who made this aftermarket shifter?
LG

 

[b3uhbp]

I know it's been a while since I posted on this issue but I wanted to provide "the rest of the story". The recommended Transmission shop I took it to at least determined that it was not a shifter issue so it had to be in the Transmission and a rebuild would be $1200 to $1800 so I decided to take a stab at doing it myself. I found some excellent YouTube videos by Eric the car guy and Paul Cangialosi on rebuilding the T-5 . Paul is an expert on the T-5 and has written a good how-to book as well. Based on my description of the symptoms Paul accurately diagnosed the issue as a broken hub on the main shaft (pretty unusual). This required a new main shaft which comes with the hub already pressed on as well as the 1/2 slider. I did rebuild the tranny myself and it was a pretty easy. While I was at it I replaced the oil pan gasket,(very difficult on a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ) inspected clutch components and replaced throw out bearing and cleaned everything which was a big mess. After being out of commission for 3 months it's now running great and no leaks. I learned a lot and I would encourage everyone to do their own Transmission work if they can find good info. The rebuild kit for a T-5 is $AMC 150 assuming no major components need replacement. Even with the replacement of the main shaft, 3rd gear and the 5th/reverse slider I still only spent $400.

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[b3uhbp]

OK-Do you have the OEM shifter?
If YES-re-install it.
Who made this aftermarket shifter?
LG

It's a B&M Shifter.

Until yesterday my T5 always worked fine. I came to a light and it refused to go into 1st or 2nd. All other gears are fine, fluid full, only 42k since rebuild, this a non-world class T5. Any ideas what the problem is? Hoping it is a shifter issue not a bad tranny. Thanks

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[Torxhead]

Thanks for the update, and glad to hear everything worked out.

 

[Neuner]

Thanks for following up!

 

[Lumpy Grits]

After you get about 4-5K miles on it. Change the oil in that T-5 .
Curious-What oil did the 2 rebuilders suggest you use?
LG

 

[b3uhbp]

Paul Cangialosi is the real expert on the T-5 . You should check out his you tube videos. If you search "T-5 Transmission " several will pop up. The ones titled "The Ultimate T-5 rebuild video" are the ones you want. You can also search "Eric the car guy" videos. Paul has rebuilt over 4,000 T5s over 25 years. These videos are on the world class T-5 but they are pretty similar. Anyway I specifically asked what fluid he recommended and he said Penzoil Synchromesh without hesitation.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Thank you.
There are several differences between the Jeep T-5 and the WC version. This is proven out with the lack of interchangeability of internal parts between the 2 versions.
Hope'n your T-5 lives a long life
LG

 

[b3uhbp]

Thank you.
There are several differences between the Jeep T-5 and the WC version. This is proven out with the lack of interchangeability of internal parts between the 2 versions.
Hope'n your T5 lives a long life
LG

You're right of course. I only meant that from a rebuild stand point the two go together in the same general order
minus the needle bearings under the WC gears and the differences between the synchro assemblies. Thanks for the well wishes. I hope it last too. Learned a lot but don't want to do it again anytime soon.

 

[Neuner]

Paul Cangialosi is the real expert on the T5. You should check out his you tube videos.

Man, you're making me wish I didn't sell my T-5 !

....I really did hate that shifter though....

 

[b3uhbp]

Man, you're making me wish I didn't sell my T5!

....I really did hate that shifter though....

When I bought my CJ7 it had a B&M shifter that has always been very smooth. The T-5 is a light duty 5 speed not intended for hard duty off road but for road vehicles should be okay. Overdrive 5th gear has advantages.

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[CJim7]

I destroyed and rebuilt my T-5 way too many times to have any love for it
When the case finally cracked, I was all too happy to bid it farewell and move on to something I could use offroad where my Jeep was meant to be