Well, they had my car 3 days and had extensive discussions with Ford. Ford advised them to add a friction modifier to the transmission fluid. They called this afternoon and told me the car was fixed and that the improvement in shift quality was night and day. Of course, I was skeptical. Well, I just picked it up and I'm thrilled to say the least. The car will go into ANY gear easily at any speed. I can actually shift the car with my pinky. There is absolutely NO grinding AT ALL and shifts are crisp and quick now: click-click-click-click. It even feels different with the motor off. Moving the lever is effortless and as opposed to multiple clunks as you move the lever into gear, you simply feel and hear one CLICK.

 

Do you know what the additive was?

 

My guess would be friction modifier like is used in the rear axle on limited slip diffs.

 

That's it exactly.

 

Wonder if it has an official Ford part number?

 

Great news! Would also like to know if their is a Ford part number? Or at least a name of some kind. Thanks

 

Oh right on, good info. Let us know what you can find out about the additive.

 

I've got a 2003 FRPP catalog and p/n for Friction Modifier was M-19546-A.

In new catalog online it is ... CM-19546-A1
http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=6930

Google either # and you will find that just about every Mustang parts store sells the stuff.

There should also still be a regular Ford part number for the exact same additive that you can get at any Ford dealer. The old number was C8AZ-19B546-A which has probably been superceeded.

Doug

 

I'm curious though, if it's the same type used in differentials. I've never heard good things about additives in transmissions.

 

If it shifts that much better, a friction modifier should be standard equipment, don't you think?

 

Ok, it's 37 degrees out this morning and there is absolutely NO grinding and ZERO resistance going into all gears. I wouldn't try adding this yourselves. Bring it in because I have no idea how much they added... And this should all be documented, should the problem return down the road.

 

If you wanted to add it yourself you don't have to buy it from Ford, any auto parts store should have it, all makes use the same stuff.

 

Subscribed. I'd really like to hear some more of the experts on here chime in as to pros/cons of doing this yourself.

Anything that would take the mild "clunkiness" out of this tranny would be very helpful to me.

 

I just got my car back after two weeks of tranny work, from Ford. The problem is fixed but it is very rough. I am definitely going to try out this friction modifier, but would like to know which modifier they used on the OP's car. Dont want to put anything in there that would mess it up in the long run.

 

I am not going back to my dealer again if at all possible. So it is the same Friction Modifier used for the posi? Or is it something just for the trans?

 

I'm curious if a synthetic fluid such as this one would also alleviate some of these issues with the trans?

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?product=50204

 

or this

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mtf.aspx?zo=495318

 

Sometimes its a learning curve. Keep in mind the Tremac 3650 5 spd would act balky (particularly in cold weather from 2nd-3rd) if you filled it to the bottom of the fill hole like most trannies. But they learned to fill only to 1/2" below bottom of the fill hole.

 

From what I have read it is filled with synthetic fluid from the factory.

 

What about the pressure plate bolts backing out?