Yep, 1-2 gives me the most trouble. After the MML and BL my engine/tranny/TCase is at an odd angle. I hope to correct that with the SYE/DC next year
Redline MTL vs Motorcraft Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid (XT/M5/QS)
- Thread starter Don A.
- Start date
I agree, I don't believe the shifting problem is related at all to the transmission angle.
That’s how I feel too @JMT
Seems to cost about the same too.
Side note: I read through your build thread recently. You’ve really done a lot! Looks great.
Seems to cost about the same too.
Side note: I read through your build thread recently. You’ve really done a lot! Looks great.
Yeah, I’ve read for some that they could really tell the difference after about 1000+ miles. I really appreciate the feedback.
I think I’ll probably try out the Redline MTL for awhile and if I don’t see a big improvement I’ll try something else. @Jerry Bransford seems to really know his stuff so it’s probably a good idea for me to try it first. A lot of guys swear by the stuff. I got to do something though. This winter has started early here in Michigan.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
FYI - it’s called a synchronizer assembly and you are correct, if they are worn it can cause the transmission to “pop” out of gear as can other worn parts. Regardless, the transmission would have to be disassembled.
Picked up a couple quarts of Redline MTL and will be changing out the fluid today. Thanks for all the feedback.
Hopefully this stuff does the trick.
Hopefully this stuff does the trick.
I changed the fluid to Redline MTL on Friday. I’m pretty sure it was either original or WAY over due. Over the weekend I noticed it was shifting better in general. The temperature had come up to the 40s this weekend though so I couldn’t get a good gauge on how it would do at initial start up in sub temps until the weather shifted. Snow storm over night had given me the chance to test it and holy smokes....night and day difference! 1st is still stubborn but not remotely as bad as before. 2nd to 3rd and the rest is all 100% better. From what I’ve read it may get even smoother after driving a few thousand miles. @Jerry Bransford you’re right to praise this stuff lol.
@JMT you may want to try it out on yours. My shifting felt almost spongey before. I read that the wrong quality or bad fluid can cause the trans to pop out of gear, like you described. If I can find the thread I’ll send it to you.
@JMT you may want to try it out on yours. My shifting felt almost spongey before. I read that the wrong quality or bad fluid can cause the trans to pop out of gear, like you described. If I can find the thread I’ll send it to you.
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I agree for sure. That said, the issues I’ve been having seem to be in line with a lot of NSG370 transmissions and really a lot of German designed trans from across different manufacturers...hard, stiff or clunky shifting into 1st and 2nd gear, winter cold increased hard shifting, etc.
A lot of manufacturers apparently engineered fluid in hindsight for the problems people were having with these German engineered trans. Changing the fluid out with a better qualified fluid seems to solve the main issues.
I can imagine there could be some real damage from forcing through hard shifts for too long a period of time. Especially in areas made worse by extreme cold.
There was an uncomfortable amount of shavings on the magnet of the drain plug when I pulled it. No chunks or large pieces though. Hopefully I dodged a bullet. So far, I can say that it feels like I’m shifting a different trans. No joke.
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Doctor Bone Smash
TJ Enthusiast
Pretty sure my NSG370 reverse synchro is gone. I can’t shift into reverse unless the gears have completely stopped spinning. Even then it wants to kick out 50% of the time. I’m willing to try something like Redline MTL, but I’m assuming I need to pony up for a rebuild or conversion.
There’s a lot of praise for it on the Miata forums for sure. That’s what had got me thinking.
So far it’s been a few days. Overall big improvement, like I said before. I park in a parking ramp while at work and a garage at home. From home in the cold isn’t as cold as being parked essentially outside in the ramp. So although it’s way better, it’s still stiff engaging first and second gear when it’s been parked out in 25-30 degree weather for eight hours. Still way easier than before though, and a lot more secure feeling when engaged it gear too. First week though so we’ll see if it improves more or not.
The only thing the Motorcraft fluid could improve on from what I can tell is to eliminate the hard shift all together.
The only thing the Motorcraft fluid could improve on from what I can tell is to eliminate the hard shift all together.
I have no idea what fluid is inside my manual right now, but I am curious to see what the Redline MTL will do for it. Service records show that that it was changed at the dealer (60k service). If it hasn't been done since, it needs to get done. It shifts great when warm, but is definitely a little stiffer and less compliant when cold.
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