Shifting problems

[Schumacher]

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]

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]

my guess is the clutch cable is toast.

happened to me about a month ago

 

[BYRDPE]

Bearing retainer is probably worn.

 

[Mustang5L5]

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]

CLUTCH CABLE IS POOCHED!!!

 

[cenok is family]

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

 

[Schumacher]

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]

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.

 

[Schumacher]

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]

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.

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

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

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]

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.

 

[Schumacher]

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.