65air_coupe

Any chance someone here knows the specification for cluster shaft end play? I finally got around to tearing into my RS600 to see if I could uncover the reason it occasionally slides out of fifth and I found that the cluster shaft was never shimmed and it has nearly 0.030" of end play. That translates to that much less disengagement between the synchronizer sleeve and the clutch teeth on fifth gear. As it is, there's only 0.050" now...not enough obviously.

Thanks

PS FWIW, the main shaft has a end play of 0.0035", probably a reasonable target value for the cluster shaft.

65air_coupe

I think I've found the answer but there's still a little confusion. I did a little searching on Mustang forums and found a reference to a spec sheet that indicates zero to 3 thousandths of end play, I also read in a few threads where it was referred to as a preload of up to 3 thousandths. Could that be right?

65tripleblack

Call Stan at Pro-Force Performance to verify.

wmf62

I don't know how you would 'preload" anything inside a transmission case
Bill

65air_coupe

I don't see a problem with that. If you have 0.010 end play with no shims and want 0.003 preload, put shims totaling 0.013 under the bearing race.

But the main shaft is not preloaded so I'm guessing neither will be the cluster shaft. SST is also looking for the answer for me.

wmf62

which bearing are you talking about?

Bill

65air_coupe

The front bearing. Both the main shaft and the cluster shaft have tapered rollers front and back and there's a shim under the race of the main shaft in the front cover. That limits its end play to around 3 thousandths. No shim under the race of the cluster shaft with about 30 thousandths end play and a fair amount of corresponding side to side play.

65tripleblack

Input shaft .0009 - .002
Cluster shaft 0.0 - .003

https://www.google.com/#q=t45+cluster+shaft+end+play
click on 3rd entry, download .pdf: Ford T45 Service Manual

Call Stan at Pro-Force Performance if you want to verify. He's a T45 specialist.

Bill Pilon

You are getting the side play because the .030 end play is letting the rollers back down the taper in the outer cones, shim it to about .003 end play and the side play will take care of itself.

Bill

wmf62

thank you
Bill

65air_coupe

Right, that's why I called it 'corresponding side play'.

Thanks, I just came across that myself so now I just need to find some shims. I'm going to try a local shop first but will probably have to order some.

65tripleblack

There used to be a rebuilder known as "The T45 Source" in Ohio. I understand that Stan (Pro-Force) bought them out last year. The T 45 Source was the go-to guy that the Mustang crowd depended on. I used him once myself. Really great guy. I wonder why he sold the business. Anyway, Pro-Force is another specialist with Borg Warner T45, T54, etc. He might have shims and advice for you.

Too bad about the original assembly problem. You never got to enjoy it, but I think you will enjoy it when you get it finished. It's a really quick shifting gearbox. I just loooooooove mine..................except bolting/unbolting from bellhousing.

Good luck.

65air_coupe

Thanks! I did get enough miles on it to know I really do like it. And yes, very nice shifting, that's what pushed me to the RS rather than the TKO kits.