Shifting problems

S

Schumacher

New Member

Jul 29, 2007

4

0

0

Oct 6, 2007

#1

• Oct 6, 2007

• #1

Hello everyone. Today as I was driving to work in my 87 5.0GT the shifter began to stiffen up. Almost had to use my entire strength to shift into 1,2,3 and 4th gears. Especially the first two gears. It's never happened before. On my way home it felt ok until about half way. It was as tough as nails to shift the last three miles home. I bypassed first gear just to make it back.
I have 117000 miles on my original stock T5. I have a Hurst shifter which I installed about 19 years ago. What do you think could be wrong? Help! and thanks.

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Oct 6, 2007

#2

• Oct 6, 2007

• #2

Couple things come to mind. If the trans is bad, it'll sometimes get like that, especially if the fluid level is low. Otherwise, take a look at the clutch adjustment. The cable could be stretched or the pivot ball worn and it's causing it to not fully disengage. You'll definitely have a heck of a time shifting if the clutch won't disengage.

 

onefstsnake

New Member

Nov 25, 2005

792

1

0

Northern VA

Oct 6, 2007

#3

• Oct 6, 2007

• #3

my guess is the clutch cable is toast.

happened to me about a month ago

 

B

BYRDPE

Founding Member

Nov 4, 1998

1,556

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37

Memphis,Tn.

Oct 6, 2007

#4

• Oct 6, 2007

• #4

Bearing retainer is probably worn.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,146

17,841

224

Massachusetts

Oct 6, 2007

#5

• Oct 6, 2007

• #5

Is it hard to shift when the car is off, clutch in and out?

If so, check to see that the shifter is still secured on there properly.

Does it grind? Or is it just physically hard to move the shifter?

Check the fluid level.

 

fastford91

New Member

Aug 15, 2006

254

1

0

Niagara ,Ontario, Canada

Oct 6, 2007

#6

• Oct 6, 2007

• #6

CLUTCH CABLE IS POOCHED!!!

 

cenok is family

15 Year Member

Jun 25, 2003

1,409

69

79

Norman, Ok

Oct 6, 2007

#7

• Oct 6, 2007

• #7

if it's not grinding, i'm voting for the cable.

 

S

Schumacher

New Member

Jul 29, 2007

4

0

0

Oct 17, 2007

#8

• Oct 17, 2007

• #8

Thanks for the input guys. Sorry it took me this long to reply but I have been too busy to investigate my 5.0 shifting problem. I just purchased a 2003 Cobra in the US and I have been jumping through hoops to get it licensed here in Canada. Wow, what a car. Now I can look at my 5.0. I will investigate the shifter and trans fluid first. How will I know my cable is toast? Thanks.

 

baldy1

New Member

May 5, 2005

124

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0

Portsmouth Va

Oct 17, 2007

#9

• Oct 17, 2007

• #9

How does the pedal feel. Does it feel the same as usual. Does the pedal get harder to push the more you drive. Dont see it being the trans. The clutch fork likes to wear and break on those. Also the front collar on the trans like to wear out which would eat the throw out bearing.

 

S

Schumacher

New Member

Jul 29, 2007

4

0

0

Oct 17, 2007

#10

• Oct 17, 2007

• #10

I quickly checked my car tonight. I tried moving the shifter with the engine off and I did not have a problem shifting. When engine is on it becomes stiff as heck again. I also noticed a strange buzzing noise now. There is no grinding though and the clutch feels the same as before. I'll check my fluid tomorrow.

 

builtPARKtough

Member

Aug 21, 2005

40

0

6

Sacramento

Oct 18, 2007

#11

• Oct 18, 2007

• #11

baldy1 said:

How does the pedal feel. Does it feel the same as usual. Does the pedal get harder to push the more you drive. Dont see it being the trans. The clutch fork likes to wear and break on those. Also the front collar on the trans like to wear out which would eat the throw out bearing.

Click to expand...

I'll second that, I encountered this problem before and it was my clutch fork.

 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

3,133

18

108

Chicagoland

Oct 18, 2007

#12

• Oct 18, 2007

• #12

My guess still goes with the clutch being out of adjustment. It's not disengaging for whatever reason, which is why it shifts easy when the car isn't running. Once it's under power, it's difficult to get into gear.

 

baldy1

New Member

May 5, 2005

124

0

0

Portsmouth Va

Oct 18, 2007

#13

• Oct 18, 2007

• #13

The buzzing noise that u hear. Is it more like a bird chirp. Does it go away when you barely push on the pedal. If it does its the throw out bearing and or collar on trans. Its a common issue when the clutch is not adjusted properly. Check that if it does go away then pull trans out and replace clutch and check the collar for wear. Ford performance sells an updated front collar.

 

S

Schumacher

New Member

Jul 29, 2007

4

0

0

Oct 18, 2007

#14

• Oct 18, 2007

• #14

The buzzing noise is constant(no chirp). Won't go away after I push on the pedal. Checked the trans fluid which looked good. I'll take a closer look at it this weekend. Thanks for all your help.