Possible transmission trouble

[blacklightning]

I am not sure what is going on, but the cobra has been harder to shift gears lately. I am not sure what the problem could be, or if it is a problem. I replaced the shifter with a MGW, and I have changed the fluid. If I try to shift from 1st to 2nd. with high RPM's, it is very hard, and hesitant to go into gear. Sometimes it is tough going into reverse. Does anyone else with an 03-04 cobra seem to have this problem? What should be done to rectify this?

 

[Uncle Meat]

Do you have an aftermarket quadrant or firewall adjuster? If not try manually adjusting the slack in the clutch cable by placing the car in 1st gear with the engine off. Then reach down and grab the clutch pedal and pull it towards you. If there is any slack in the cable it will get ratcheted tight via the self adjuster.

U.M.

 

[CobraCruiser]

There is a good web-site that shows you how to adjust the clutch by holding the clutch pedal still and pushing up on a tab on the quadrant until you hear a click. It advises you to check the clutch after each click so you don't go too far. This will make it disengage at a higher point so you don't have to push the clutch all the way to the floor. You don't want it too high or it won't engage properly and is also hard on the throw-out bearing. If you do go too far, you grab the clutch pedal and pull up and it goes back to its original position. I did it with mine at around 63,000 miles and it made all of the difference in the world. It is the original clutch and is just short of 70,000 miles and still solid.

How do you like the MGW? I like mine, although I am not so sure that it is as positive feeling as the Pro5.0. It is very close, though. The adjustable handle is quite nice.

Either way, look this up under Cobra clutch adjustment. Good pictures to go with the text.

 

[03SONIC]

Many people mis-diag this issue and spend money on adjusters and cables. My car runs 128mph in the 1/4 and shifts like butter on a stock cable and no adjustors or firewall quadrant. There is a TSB on this from Ford.....We have done many of these.

FORD:
2003-2004 Mustang

ISSUE:

Some 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra vehicles equipped with a Tremec T56 6 speed manual transmission, may exhibit a rattle noise or a difficult to shift condition. This may be due to a cracked or broken release bearing guide tube.
ACTION:

To service, install a revised transmission adapter cover plate. The revised adapter cover has the release bearing guide tube already installed.
SERVICE PROCEDURE



NOTE:FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 308-03C.
Remove the transmission from the vehicle.
Remove the clutch release hub and bearing and the clutch release lever.
Drain the transmission fluid.
Remove the eleven (11) bolts from the transmission adapter cover and remove the cover.
Install the bearing cups from the old adapter cover into the revised transmission adapter cover.
Install the revised transmission adapter cover. Torque bolts to 35 N-m (26 lb-ft).
Refill the transmission with fluid.
NOTE:VERIFY CORRECT ENDPLAY BEFORE REINSTALLING THE TRANSMISSION. REFER TO WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 308-03 FOR SPECIFICATIONS.
Reinstall the clutch release hub and bearing and the clutch release lever.
Reinstall the transmission.
Re-check fluid level and add fluid if necessary.
Verify condition is corrected.
PART NUMBERPART NAME3R3Z-7005-AAAdapter Cover Plate

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage