Neutral is Sticky.

[sunil6784]

HI everyone,

I just got my new stang, its a 92 LX 5.0 Special Edition. Just picked her up today. I'm very happy so far, except for one thing. THe car is a 5 speed. When the shifter is in neutral, if i move it to the left, the shifter seems to want to stay all the way to the left, like its a little bit sticky. But if i move it to the right, as if to engage reverse or 5th, there is a little bit of grinding. There is no whine or anything while its in gear, and it engages all gears fine. This only happens in neutral. Could it be gear oil ?

 

[HISSIN50]

WC T5's use ATF only! an aftermarket shifter might help with the stickyness. check the trans level or flush/renew the fluid. it holds 2.7 quarts.

good luck and congrats on the new ride!

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

My car does the same thing... Sticks in the 1-2 area when pulled to that side. Doesn't bother me though. I don't see it as a "problem", but your grinding is a problem. Do what HISSIN said first. if that doesn't cure it... Might be time for some syncros and/or gears depending on how long it's been grinding.

 

[HISSIN50]

yeah, i should have said why i posted that a new shifter might help. the lateral springs (if a stock noodle, i mean shifter) might have fatigued. this would mean it does not want to return to center very well (making finding 3rd quickly hard). a new shifter will have more aggressive springs to help it return to center.

i just re-read the original post: with what you said, it sounds like the shifter itself is actually making the grinding (not engagement of the gears?) - if so, even more reason to swap a shifter on there.

good luck.