Ford Manual Gearbox Repairs & Rebuilds (IB5, B6, MMT6 & VMT6)

Ford vehicles are some of the most popular on UK roads, and while their manual transmissions are generally well-engineered, they are not immune to failure. Whether you drive a 1.0L EcoBoost Fiesta, a high-performance Focus ST, or a hard-working Transit Custom, we have the specialised knowledge to rebuild your Ford gearbox to exacting factory standards, saving you from a costly main dealer replacement.

We routinely strip, upgrade, and rebuild the following Ford manual transmissions:

The IB5 Gearbox (Classic 5-Speed)

The IB5 is one of Ford’s longest-running gearboxes, but it has a very famous, catastrophic weak point: the differential pin.

• The Fault: Over time, the differential pin can snap or work its way loose. When this happens, it often punches a hole straight through the aluminum gearbox casing, resulting in a total loss of transmission fluid and drive. They also commonly suffer from input shaft bearing wear (causing a whine in all gears except 4th).

• Our Fix: We don't just repair the damage; we upgrade the differential and install high-quality bearings to ensure it doesn't happen again.

• Models Covered: Older and smaller engine variants of the Ford Fiesta, Focus (1.4/1.6), Ka, and Puma.

The B6 Gearbox (Modern 6-Speed EcoBoost)

Designed for modern efficiency, the B6 is heavily used across Ford's current lineup, particularly mated to the popular 1.0L EcoBoost engines.

• The Fault: We frequently see these units suffering from premature synchromesh wear (causing a noticeable "crunch" when shifting into 2nd or 3rd gear) and excessive input shaft play.

• Models Covered: Modern Ford Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, and EcoSport.

The MMT6 & MTX75 Gearboxes (High-Torque 6-Speed & 5-Speed)

Built to handle higher torque from larger diesel engines and performance models, these gearboxes are robust but can suffer under heavy load.

• The Fault: The MMT6 often develops bearing noise under load and stiff gear selection issues due to worn selector forks or damaged synchro hubs. The older MTX75 is prone to oil leaks from the selector shaft and differential seals, which eventually starves the unit of oil and destroys the internal bearings.

• Models Covered: Ford Focus (ST, 2.0 TDCi), Mondeo, Kuga, S-Max, Galaxy, and older Transit Connects.

The VMT6 Commercial Gearbox (Transit & Transit Custom)

When your Transit is off the road, your business stops. The VMT6 is a heavy-duty 6-speed unit that works incredibly hard, often carrying heavy payloads.

• The Fault: A common issue is a severe whining noise caused by main shaft bearing collapse, or complete difficulty selecting gears. We provide a rapid bench-rebuild service to get your van back to work fast, replacing all worn bearings and synchros with heavy-duty OE-quality parts.

• Models Covered: Ford Transit (FWD/RWD) and Transit Custom.

Common Ford Manual Gearbox Symptoms to Watch For:

• A loud whining noise that gets worse as you accelerate (classic bearing failure).

• A crunching sound when shifting quickly (worn synchromesh rings).

• The gearbox popping out of gear while driving (worn selector forks or engine mount issues).

• A pool of transmission fluid under the car (seal failure or a blown IB5 differential casing).

If you're experiencing any of these issues, contact us today