2003 Cobra 1st Gear Problem

Ferris Bueller

New Member
Feb 4, 2003
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Just picked up a 2003 Cobra today with 12k miles on it. During the test drive(s) the transmission shifted fine without any problems. After taking it home and driving it easy around town, I noticed that I could not get it into 1st gear when at a full stop. I could get it in after shifting to other gears first, but it doesn't feel like it should. It goes into 1st smoothly if i'm moving slowly, but once I stop it's a pain. Please help! Am I looking at a clutch cable adjustment issue, or an expensive T-56 repair? Thanks Stangnet.
 
As far as I can tell, I have the stock clutch/quadrant/adjuster.

After driving some more, I thought the clutch wasnt disengaging fully. I tried pulling up on the clutch pedal to adjust, but it never clicked. I had to manually ratchet the adjuster to get more slack. Now everything shifts fine and the clutch engages higher up.
 
you shouldn't shift any car into first without being at a full stop, bad for the tranny. Probably good that it doesn't let you!

And you base this info on what? 1st doesn't have different synchro's.

It is a fairly common issue with the T56 to not want to go into 1st at a stop. Its the same for the vipers and vettes. When you are sitting you can either double clutch or just do a quick 2nd then 1st to rotate the shaft a little. It tends to get worse when hot. When my trans fluid is at 240 or hotter its really hard to get 1st.