5 speed manual trans. hard to get in gear

[callbay]

2003 Ford Ranger with 4 cyl and 121,000 miles, new to me. Just started to be extra hard to get in gear when stopped. Hard to get into any gear but not every time I stop. Just most of the time. Otherwise it shifts alright. Transmission fluid level ok and looks good.

Should I change the transmission fluid with full synthetic like Max-Life?

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[MolaKule]

I would recommend the Pennzoil Synchromesh, Valvoline MTF, or the Amsoil MTF.

If that doesn't help, then your transmission needs a rebuild of the synchro assembly.

 

[Rand]

clutch slave cylinder.

fairly common problem.. first place I'd check.

 

[MolaKule]

Originally Posted By: callbay
2003 Ford Ranger with 4 cyl and 121,000 miles, new to me. Just started to be extra hard to get in gear when stopped. Hard to get into any gear but not every time I stop. Just most of the time. Otherwise it shifts alright. Transmission fluid level ok and looks good.

Should I change the transmission fluid with full synthetic like Max-Life?

Any ideas? Thanks.


Good catch Rand.

Calibay, is the clutch completely disengaging?

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: Rand
clutch slave cylinder.

fairly common problem.. first place I'd check.


This or elsewhere in the clutch mechanism. Does it slip into gear with the engine off any easier?

 

[rockydee]

Is it the m5od trans? With an internal slave cylinder? I'd bleed it if it isn't leaking and see if that helps.

 

[Kuato]

It could also be that your throwout bearing is starting to go. If the PO sat stopped at lights with the clutch depressed, the throwout bearing would be prematurely worn.

 

[Rand]

it may not be the OP's problem.. but the slave cylinder usually starts to go between 80000-125000mi, It will just start to lose pressure .. if pumping the clutch helps Its most likely the slave cylinder. I'd say 10:1 over it being the master cylinder.

it could also be previous owner abuse..and something else.

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
It could also be that your throwout bearing is starting to go. If the PO sat stopped at lights with the clutch depressed, the throwout bearing would be prematurely worn.


The TOB would make noise to the point of being unbearable before ever affecting shifting.

Something is causing the clutch to not release.
-Hub spring jammed in the clutch material
-bad pilot bearing
-bad clutch fork (you may not have one)
-bad slave cylinder
-bad master cylinder
-leaking hydraulic line
-bad clutch cable for some cars

Does the transmission go into gear any easier with the engine off? Does the car roll forward in gear while pressing the clutch on flat ground?

I have even seen a VW Caddy (Rabbit pickup) with a broken pedal frame, it had a crack and would flex rather than pull the clutch cable.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: asand1
Originally Posted By: Kuato
It could also be that your throwout bearing is starting to go. If the PO sat stopped at lights with the clutch depressed, the throwout bearing would be prematurely worn.


The TOB would make noise to the point of being unbearable before ever affecting shifting.


Can't agree. We just replaced the bad TOB on the Wrangler; it made zero noise. Another thread on here, the guy's TOB was bad (and other parts), his made no sound either.

 

[callbay]

It goes into gear very easy with the engine off.

 

[asand1]

The clutch is not disengaging, or rather, something is continuing to transfer energy from the flywheel to the input shaft. The trans will need to come out to diagnose really.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: asand1
The clutch is not disengaging, or rather, something is continuing to transfer energy from the flywheel to the input shaft. The trans will need to come out to diagnose really.


Not.

 

[asand1]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: asand1
The clutch is not disengaging, or rather, something is continuing to transfer energy from the flywheel to the input shaft. The trans will need to come out to diagnose really.


Not.

I don't know about you, but I've seen these symptoms, diagnosed the cause, replaced the clutch parts, and fixed the problem enough to be quite confident in my assessment.

 

[1kickbuttranger]

I just went through this a couple weeks ago.

How's the clutch pedal feel? Solid all the way through? Or does it feel soft halfway trough and then get solid?

When you finally get it into gear, if you release the clutch slowly, does it come up some before it starts engaging or does it want to instantly pull? If so, probably the slave cyl.

If the pedal feels solid and engages after the pedal has come up some (consistently), then chances are your pilot bearing is shot.

Either way, you would want to replace them both. (Very fun, but the 4 cyl should be a bit easier than a 6) If the main clutch components are fine, then I would leave them alone- probably better quality than you can get aftermarket.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: asand1
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: asand1
The clutch is not disengaging, or rather, something is continuing to transfer energy from the flywheel to the input shaft. The trans will need to come out to diagnose really.


Not.

I don't know about you, but I've seen these symptoms, diagnosed the cause, replaced the clutch parts, and fixed the problem enough to be quite confident in my assessment.


I've done the same but I should have been more clear; the "not" was in reference to the transmission having to come out. Most longitudinal engines' clutches can be worked on without removing the trans, but some finagling may be required.

It's true that energy is being transferred; it could be the throwout bearing or the clutch not disengaging fully. OP, says it shifts easily when the vehicle is in motion, only being difficult when stopped. This indicates the clutch is disengaging, at least initially. Now that we are talking more about it, OP's mentioning that it "doesn't do it all the time" when stopped may mean that the hydraulics are bleeding down - and it only gets hard to shift after he's been sitting for a time.

 

[callbay]

I can get it in first gear if I pump the clutch 3 or 4 times.

What does that mean?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[MolaKule]

Seems to indicate what most thought, a leaking hydraulic clutch system.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
Seems to indicate what most thought, a leaking hydraulic clutch system.


Personally had this happen multiple times when I had my 89 F-150 with the Mazda 5 speed manual transmission. It was always the clutch slave cylinder. Unfortunately Ford in their infinite wisdom buried the slave cylinder in the transmission making it an expensive job.

Whimsey