Avoid MT-82?

[Deleted member 35644]

Hey guys, looking at a '16 or '17 V6 with the mt82. Is this something I should avoid? Seeing a few horror stories here and other places. Are shiift forks, bearings & lockout widespread issues?

Sponsored

 

[Paris MkVI]

You can find stories about the transmissions, engines, you name it. There's always going to be stories about something.

The V6 would not be as demanding on the transmission as the 5.0 engine. Is it a private sale or dealer? Any service records?

 

[Deleted member 35644]

You can find stories about the transmissions, engines, you name it. There's always going to be stories about something.

The V6 would not be as demanding on the transmission as the 5.0 engine. Is it a private sale or dealer? Any service records?

Thanks for your input. They're low mileage dealer trade ins, 33,000 and 39,000 miles. Just don't want to get it home and have a shift fork break the next week. Trying to determine if this is something that will happen to every pre-2019 mt82 or if they were isolated. I do see class action lawsuits out there about it.

 

[kz]

Hey guys, looking at a '16 or '17 V6 with the mt82. Is this something I should avoid? Seeing a few horror stories here and other places. Are shiift forks, bearings & lockout widespread issues?

'16 and '17 did not have issue with shift forks. Overall MT-82 issues are grossly overblown. It's a good transmission and it works well.

 

[Paris MkVI]

It's a good transmission and it works well.

I echo this sentiment. Mine is a 2015 daily driver. The MT-82 has been a positive experience for me.

 

[EFI]

The 15-17 MT82 issues you are hearing about are not really about their lack of strength or reliability, it's more the crappy feel of the shifter and/or clutch.

The 18s had shift fork issues, but that got resolved.

 

[MRGTX]

I bought my second MT82 last May. My first one was a super early June 2010 build, it was perfect right up until I sold it with ~40k hard miles behind a tuned Coyote. Second one has been great so far.

IMO, there's nothing wrong with this transmission. It's apparently not the most heavy manual trans on the market but unless you are running slicks and power shifting it all the time, I don't think you're going to break it, especially with the V6.

There is a known problem with shift fork failures on 2018-early 2019 cars. Earlier and later cars don't seem to have serious issues.

 

[Deleted member 35644]

Thanks guys for clarifying and reassuring. I REALLY don't want an auto, and really do want to get back into a 3.7. Got two of them lined up, just waiting for Carvana to get off their asses.

 

[Vlad Soare]

Apart from the shift forks in 2018 and early 2019, the MT-82 is a fine gearbox. Not the best in the world, but not the worst either. I'm totally in love with my 2020 MT-82 D4.
I believe that most of the problems that tainted MT-82's reputation over time were actually caused by the clutch rather than the gearbox.
Avoid the ones with aluminum shift forks and you'll be fine.

 

[shogun32]

it's more the crappy feel of the shifter and/or clutch.

which can be solved with the Steeda shift bushing ($70, highly recommended) and optionally also the trans front mount insert. To minimize 2-3 lockout, bleed the system correctly, have fresh fluid, and don't shift at redline.

The biggest 'problem' with the V6 is the horrendous RPM hang that is very apparent with a manual trans. A tune fixes that right up and also makes that engine PULL nice and clean to redline instead of lumbering slowly and ponderously up the tachometer. It really was an eye-opening contrast.

 

[geep81]

Get the MT82.

 

[Deleted member 35644]

I'm relieved to hear all of this.
If everything falls into place, I'm just faced with a color choice.

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

The MT-82 was never designed to handle the power output of the 5.0, coupled with ford infinite wisdom to use a remote mounted shifter and you have a recipe for failure. 90% of the problems stem from this. As long as you don't powershift at redline, your trans should last as long as the car. The v-6 is well below the max power handling capability of the mt82. If you want some peace of mind, get a shifter support bracket from blowfish racing to eliminate the remote mount so it moves with the trans so there is no longer a misalignment issue under W.O.T. powershifts

 

[Vlad Soare]

You shouldn't powershift this gearbox anyway. It's not designed for that. You can't blame it for misbehaving if you take it out of its comfort zone.
Use it as it's designed to be used, and it will be fine.

 

[tom_sprecher]

If I had to do it all over again I would not change a thing. Best transmission out of the 9 manuals I have owned.

Sponsored