T-5 grinding going onto reverse
 

Somthing new my T-5 is starting to grind going onto reverse :( . Does not happen all the time. Bet its time to take it apart for a look. 1 thru 5 ok with no problems.

Should I fix it or consider option.

Rich

Don't know how tech savy you are so I might be pointing out the obvious. Do you put it in another gear before you put it in reverse? I usually put it in 1st then reverse. This slows down the gear set.

Is you clutch adjusted correctly?

I also noticed if the engine idle is high(like when you first start the car up) it might also tend to grind.

Reverse is not a syncro meshed gear, grinding would be normal, the solution is as stated by jams just touch it into 5th for a second and then into reverse. the syncros for 5th (or any forward gear) will slow down the gears inside and allow you to get into reverse without any grinding. If that doesnt help then check your clutch adjustment.

Yep, tried the usual stuff like sticking it in a forward gear... clutch is adjusted correctly...idle not high...grinding is not normal. could be pilot brg drag but usually the forward gears will grind also, Drove non-syncro square cut gear boxes for some years had to double clutch them.

Hoping this is not a common T-5 thing, maybe a TKO-500 is the next stop.

Thanks Guy's

Rich

If it is pilot drag, you may notice that it is not so easy to get into first gear either, when stopped.

It's your Slave or Master Cylinder
 

Your transmission is probably fine, if you have an external slave cylinder - I'd bet it is that. I have BDR 357 (same color in fact) and have had the same issues so swapping to a new TKO won't solve the problem and it will be a big waste of money. My car did the same thing, this is a pretty common problem with Superformance, BDR etc...

1) Slave might be getting old or leaking.
2) Slave might not be alligned perfectly
3) Bad, old or burned fluid in the lines
3) Might be heat related. If it is:
Replace the slave, fluid and possibly the master cylinder, wrap the lines with heat resistent material, move them away from the headers, and make sure you have a heat shield.

No matter what: Order a new slave and bracket from Bill Littleton at Greater Cincinnati Performance Cars (the midwest Backdraft Dealer). If you replace the slave (they are cheap $120 or so) and you don't allign it perfectly - you will have the problem repeat every few months or when it is really hot out. With all the heat we are having lately, I suspect yours is heat related.

If I am right, you will soon notice that you will have trouble finding 1st gear too when it's hot, maybe 2nd too.

ALWAYS TRY THE CHEAPEST AND EASIEST FIX FIRST. I HAVE SEEN GUYS PULL ALTERNATORS FOR A BLOWN FUSE... IT IS PROBABLY NOT THE TRANNY... JUST REPLACE THE SLAVE FIRST.