shift problem

[black98snake]

My 98 is a manual and has 31K miles and I don't understand why it is hard to put it in to gear. Sometimes it goes in with no problems while at other times I have to push the shifter harder just to get it to slide in gear. Any ideas?

 

[GrayCobra]

Same ol'd Ford Shift problems!

Don't feel too bad black98snake most of us have had some kind of "I hate this shifter" headache.

There a ways around these Ford ****ing problems. To relieve the hard shifting problem you described the first fix is to replace the trans fluid. If you've ever raced or driven the car hard you need to follow the same path that the race crews use. Change the trans to one of the best lubricants out there. On mine it was Royal Purple Max ATF. It meets or exceeds all Ford Mtr Co standards plus it took care of the "it won't go in the right gear" problem. When changing the fuid look at the color, if it has turned a brownish color that indicates the fluid is breaking down.

Step 2. Check you linkage and the tightness of the connecting rods, bolts and bushing. Cheap and easy!

Step 3 would be a new shifter. If you check around there are several very good aftermarket shifters. Steeda Tri-Axe, 5.0, Hurst short throw, B&M. Most cost less than $200. Lots of Mustang/Cobra owner's have installed them in under 1 1/2 hours and the difference is like night and day. Just make sure your getting the right one for your transmission as there are several differnent types available.

Good luck

 

[Nicks98Cobra]

Thank god you started this thread, mine does the same thing but it has 124k miles on it. I put in Royal Purple Syncomax tranny fluid and it helped a ton shifting, but at stoplights alot of times it doesnt want to go into first. Do I look at the linkage from insided the car or underneath?

 

[speedtigger]

Don't feel too bad black98snake most of us have had some kind of "I hate this shifter" headache.

There a ways around these Ford ****ing problems. To relieve the hard shifting problem you described the first fix is to replace the trans fluid. If you've ever raced or driven the car hard you need to follow the same path that the race crews use. Change the trans to one of the best lubricants out there. On mine it was Royal Purple Max ATF. It meets or exceeds all Ford Mtr Co standards plus it took care of the "it won't go in the right gear" problem. When changing the fuid look at the color, if it has turned a brownish color that indicates the fluid is breaking down.

Step 2. Check you linkage and the tightness of the connecting rods, bolts and bushing. Cheap and easy!

Step 3 would be a new shifter. If you check around there are several very good aftermarket shifters. Steeda Tri-Axe, 5.0, Hurst short throw, B&M. Most cost less than $200. Lots of Mustang/Cobra owner's have installed them in under 1 1/2 hours and the difference is like night and day. Just make sure your getting the right one for your transmission as there are several differnent types available.

Good luck

step 4 check your clutch adjustment. how far away from the floor does your clutch engage?????

 

[black98snake]

speedtigger.........I can shift anywhere from half way down to all the way to the floor. I still have problems putting it into gear. Mainly first gear most of the time. How do you make adjustments?

 

[mustangrmyk]

The clutch adjustment is very easy. Shut off the engine, put the trans in 1st. gear and lift the pedal up with your toe.

If it needs adjusting, you will hear a "clicking or ratcheting" sound. That's it.

There's no adjustment on the shifter.

 

[Shalenboy]

Haven't tried this yet as my car is in for a new tranny, but the machanic at the SVT dealership told me that adjusting the clutch is as easy as depressing the clutch all the way and slipping your foot off the side, letting it spring back out. How this adjusts the clutch is beyond me, but I thought I would share.

 

[mustangrmyk]

Probably just a rough way of accomplishing the same thing. There is a little tab that pushes on the adjuster attached to the pedal. Its plastic, so I wouldn't slam it. When you pull the pedal up it is supposed to push on the adjuster.

 

[chuckystang]

Any one here know or can explain how this is all accomplised with an adjustable quadrant with the knob at the firewall?? I don't understand how the cable and quadrant all that stuff work...