While I had the tailshaft of my TII trans apart of modify the shifter location, I noticed the 5th gear brass blocker ring was broken in half, and about a 1/4" chunk was missing, the synchronizer gears also look a little abused, like they have been grinding. I pulled the bottom cover off, and from what I see, all of the other blocker rings and synchronizer gears look good. Is this common to happen? Can I replace just the 5th gear parts without special tools?

Turbo transmissions around here sell for $300 and up easily, and are not too common. I never drove this transmission, so I dont know how it performs.

EDIT: The part that is broken is the brass ring that can be seen at the back of the transmission with the tailshaft and that bearing plate removed, on the lower shaft that isn't the output shaft, and the gears that are slightly damaged are the smaller teeth between the brass ring and the actual gear (which does not appear damaged).

 

I took mine to a shop when mine crapped out. Mine also had 5th gear troubles, but mine had a seized hub or something that caused it to try to select 3rd and 4th (or maybe it was 5th and reverse?) simultaneously which locked it out of 3rd, 4th, 5th, and reverse. Ended up needing a 5th gear synchro ring and a new bearing. So it might be common, who knows. These transmissions are nearly 30 years old now. I don't remember exactly how much they charged, but it was definitely more than what a used transmission would go for. That being said, I now know the exact condition of the transmission as opposed to it being a mystery, as it often is with transmissions that you've never seen working in a car. Usually transmissions require a bunch of specialty tools. Lots of press fit parts, which is why I didn't want to touch my own. Perhaps post a couple pictures so some of the more transmission-savvy members can chime in?

 

the brass ring is the synchronizer, it is pretty common for 5th to be broken, it is easy enough to miss 3rd and get 5th, which will snap it.

the syncro can be replaced without taking the whole transmission apart.