ZF S5-42/S5-47 Needle Bearing Kit, Ford 5-Speed Manual

This is the needle bearing set for the ZF S5-42 and S5-47, the German-built five-speed manual that Ford ran behind the F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty trucks from 1987 through 1997. The number in the name is the rated input torque: the S5-42 handles about 420 Nm behind the 5.8L and 7.5L gas engines and early 7.3L IDI diesel, while the heavier S5-47 is rated near 470 Nm and sits behind the 7.3L Power Stroke turbodiesel and big-block gas trucks.

The speed gears in these boxes turn on caged needle bearings that ride between the gear bore and the mainshaft. When those needles wear, gall, or lose their cage, you get a whine that changes with gear selection, gear rock on the shaft, and hard or notchy shifts because the gear is no longer running true. On a teardown they are a wear item you replace as a set, not reuse.

This kit covers the mainshaft speed-gear needle bearings for a full S5-42 or S5-47 rebuild. Install it along with a bearing and synchro kit when you have the case split. It replaces the needle bearings only; ball bearings, synchronizer rings, gears and shift forks are not included.