Upgrade Your T-5's Shiftability With A Steel Bearing Retainer From D&D Performance
Question: I just installed a new clutch in my T5-equipped '89 Mustang. While the slipping of the old clutch is eliminated, the high pedal effort is still there. Is there any way to reduce pedal effort and thereby get the transmission to shift better?
Answer: Ford T5 transmissions come from the factory with an aluminum throwout bearing retainer collar. After a while, the aluminum wears down and causes the throwout bearing to bind and travel less smoothly than it once did. The remedy is to replace the aluminum retainer with a steel unit, such as the one shown here from D&D Performance. The steel unit will last a lot longer.
If you're planning a clutch job on your T5-equipped Mustang, then that is a good time to install the new bearing retainer. If you've already replaced a clutch without swapping the retainer, you'll have to decide if you want to remove the trans again to do the swap. If that's the case, there's good news: You won't have to disturb the new clutch to do the job.