Shift Fork Replacement

[Kevin Doe]

I'm pretty sure I broke my 3-4 shift fork. I was shifting from 2nd to 3rd, and the shifter went to where 3rd gear should be, but the engine just reved like I missed the gear.

I can put the tranny in 1st, 2nd, 5th, and Rev. But when I put the shifter into 3rd and 4th, nothing is there.

I think the shift fork is broke.

My manual doesn't have a rebuild manual for these transmissions. I have the Mazda M50D-R1 5-Speed tranny.

Can I just take off the top part and have access to the shift fork? Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Ben L]

You might have the same problem I was having with mine, I broke the roll pin that holds the shifter fork to the rail. I replaced the roll pin with a new one and it's been fine ever since then (30,000 miles later). If you pull your shifter and find you need a new roll pin, they are an odd metric size and not available at the local parts store. You'll probably have to go through Ford to get it. If it's the shift fork that's broken, I have a good one you can have (check your thread on the GD board).

P.S. Yes, by removing the top cover you will have access to the shift forks. The forks and rails are part of the cover and you'll immediately be able to diagnose your problem once you remove it. You don't have to pull the tranny to get the cover off either, but you will have to disconnect the driveshaft and drop the tranny crossmember and allow the tranny/engine to rotate back to give you enough clearance to pull the cover. It's a tight squeeze but if you pull and rotate the cover just right it comes right out.