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Mustang Steeda Tri-Ax T-5/T-45Shifter Installation Guide

This Mustang Parts Installation Guide Works For

Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6)Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6) 555-7353
Fitment Includes:
  • - V6 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
  • - GT 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
  • - Cobra 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
  • - Bullitt 2001
  • - Foxbody 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter and Polished Billet Shift Knob - T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6) 16013||555-7353||41003Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter and Mach 1 Shift Knob - T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6) 16013||555-7353||24018||SFT-79-MCSteeda Tri-Ax Shifter and Black Billiard Ball Shift Knob - T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6) 16013||555-7353||41004Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter and Ford Racing Shift Knob - T-5/T-45 (82-Early 01 V8; 93-99 Cobra; 94-04 V6) KIT		DOWNLOAD PDF

Tools Required

  • 3/8" ratchet with extension
  • 10mm socket
  • 8mm socket
  • 13mm socket
  • Gasket scraper or large, flat-head screwdriver
  • 1/2" standard wrench
  • Small flashlight
  • Rags

If Changing Transmission fluid, you'll also need:

  • Jack and jack stands
  • Drain pan (size depends on transmission)
  • Something to protect the garage floor or driveway
  • Funnel
  • Pocket knife or clippers
Installation Time: 60 Mins

Installation

(Steps related to changing transmission fluid are highlighted in yellow.)

NOTE: Set the cars parking brake before starting any part of this procedure.

  1. Unscrew and remove the shift knob. It's just like taking the lid off a jar.

    image 01

  2. Pull the cover off the shifter and unplug the cigarette lighter plug. It's easiest to do this by grabbing around the shift boot and pulling (see illustration). Check to make sure the clips stay on the tabs on the edge of the cover; I had one fall onto the inner boot. Tuck the cigarette lighter's plug out of the way.

    image 02

  3. Using a 10mm socket, unscrew and remove the stock shifter handle.

    image 03

  4. Unscrew the four bolts from the cover plate using an 8mm socket with an extension.

    image 04

  5. Using a 13mm socket and extension, remove the four bolts holding the stock shifter on the transmission.

    image 05

  6. Pry off the shifter. Because it is now held in place by a bead of RTV, it may be easy or difficult to pop this off. I got lucky, and the shifter almost fell off in my hands. Steeda recommends re-installing the stock shifter handle and pulling sideways (see illustration). I have also heard of people getting under the car and using a mallet and flat-head screwdriver to pry the shifter off the mount. However you get the shifter off, check inside the transmission to make sure no RTV fell off and wound up in there. It shouldn't be too hard to fish out any pieces that fell in.

    image 06

  7. Clean the mounting surface, using the gasket scraper or flat-head screwdriver. Be careful not to mar the surface of the transmission. Since we're using the gasket set, we just need a smooth, flat surface, and it's not as crucial to have a pristine surface for RTV to adhere to. You'll notice that the mounting surface has a bit of texture to it; try not to scratch that, and you'll be fine.

    image 07

    Here, you can see how most of the gasket stuck to the shifter rather than the base. Anything that didn't come off here (such as the areas around the bolts) is what needs to come off the mount on the transmission. Now is also a good time to check and make sure the plastic bushing is still seated in the gear selector. If you have a TR3650 transmission, the bushing will come out with the shifter, and needs to be pried off the ball-end of the shifter with a screwdriver.

    image 08

  8. Raise the front of the car with a jack and put it on jack stands. On this T5 transmission, the drain plug is located on the passenger side of the car near the exhaust pipe (see illustration).Notice that the plug sticks out sideways. There is a trick to making sure the fluid lands in the drain pan, and not on you.

    image 09

  9. We're looking toward the front of the car in this picture. Using cardboard, papers, rags, or whatever you prefer to protect the floor, slide a drain pan under the drain plug area and begin to loosen the plug using your 3/8" ratchet with no socket. Once the plug is loose enough to remove with your fingers, finish unscrewing it without the ratchet while holding a funnel under the drain hole in such a way that the fluid will fall into the funnel and be directed down towards the drain pan. After the fluid is drained, re-install the drain plug, wipe any stray drips from the bottom of the transmission, and lower the car.

    image 10

    Royal Purple Synchromax is a high-performance manual transmission fluid that will complement the short-throw shifter by allowing the smoothest possible operation of the transmission. The T5 takes5.6 pints, or 2.8 quarts (check your car's owner's manual). That means three bottles will be necessary for this fluid change.

    image 11

  10. Fill the transmission using the recommended amount of fluid by cutting open the top of the bottle and pouring the Synchromax slowly into the shifter opening. It is possible to pour more quickly than the fluid can drain into the transmission, so be careful and don't make the opening too big. After adding fluid, check under the car to make sure the transmission is not leaking around the drain plug. Fill the transmission after performing this check.

    image 12

  11. Using a gasket is easier than messing with RTV silicone. Using the new bolts that came with the Tri-Ax, push them through the shifter base and into the holes in the gasket. The stock bolts will not be long enough to re-use with the Tri-Ax.

    image 13

  12. Mount the Tri-Ax shifter to the transmission using a 13mm socket and extension.

    image 14

  13. Set the shifter stops in strict accordance with Steeda's instructions. The stop bolts and jam nuts can be adjusted with a 1/2" wrench.Tip:To get a good look at the space between the shift lever and stop bolts, shine a flashlight downwards behind the lever. You should be able to see a sliver of light between the lever and the stop bolt, which should disappear once you put pressure on the lever. Slide the boot washer over the shift lever once the stops are adjusted.

    image 15

  14. Re-install the inner boot, re-using the original hardware and the 8mm socket with extension.

    image 16

  15. Before adding the handle, decide whether you want to mount in the upper position (more driver comfort) or the lower position (shorter shifts) on the shift lever. Also, you have the options of using the isolator from American Muscle's gasket set (red, right); Steeda's shifter isolator (black, left); or no isolator. I chose to use American Muscle's isolator, as it was both thinner and harder than Steeda's piece, for a firmer feel. It will reduce some of the increased transmission noise and vibration from the performance shifter (though not as much as the thicker Steeda rubber), for what I felt would be a good compromise between performance and comfort.

    image 17

  16. Install the shifter handle using a 10mm socket. Secure the assembly with the jam nuts, which also use a 10mm socket.

    image 18

  17. Plug the cigarette lighter back in, and slide the boot cover back over the shifter handle. Press down firmly to re-secure the cover on the console.

    image 19

  18. Finish by screwing the shifter back on the new shift lever. Here, I decided to set off the new short-throw shifter with a Steeda shift knob. This particular knob has a set-screw which must be tightened with an included allen wrench.

    image 20


Installation instructions provided by AmericanMuscle customer Mike Strawbridge.