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Old 03-21-2015, 09:17 PM
Rando76 Rando76 is offline
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Default 5 speed transmission hard to shift after warming up

Hi all, I'm new here.

I recently bought a 2003 Ford Ranger, 2.3, 5 speed manual. I've found that the transmission is hard to shift after it warms up. I test drove it when it was below freezing, so I didn't notice it. The warmer the day and quicker the truck warms up, the worse it is. It is worst at a stop. It goes into gear with no problem when the engine is off or if I'm still moving, but if I'm stopped there are times it doesn't go into gear. This really sounded like a clutch that wasn't disengaging to me, so I decided to dig in. I didn't check the movement at the slave before I started, but I did find the master was a little wet at the rod in the cab.

So, I did the following:

- New clutch master cylinder (bled out of truck to eliminate air)
- New slave cylinder and bearing
- New pilot bearing
- Changed transmission fluid - Mercon III ATF as book specifies

The clutch/pressure plate was in good shape and looked like it might have had 10K - 20K miles on it, as the previous owner said. So, I put it back in. After I got it all together, I checked the movement at the slave/pressure plate and it is moving a little short of .5" when the pedal is fully depressed. I was happy and thought this would solve the problem since the old pilot seemed a little stiff and I saw the leak at the master.

I drove it and all felt fine, but it was a cool day yesterday. Today it was in the 60s and I drove it for a while, it started getting hard to shift in town again. I don't think I've fixed it. What next?
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  #2  
Old 03-22-2015, 06:35 AM
tomboy tomboy is offline
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Default Re: 5 speed transmission hard to shift after warming up

You don't mention miles, but is lots, the syncro's in the trans may be bad. Also does the shifter have a lot of slop in it?
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  #3  
Old 03-22-2015, 06:40 AM
FordOwner79 FordOwner79 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 53
Default Re: 5 speed transmission hard to shift after warming up

Sounds like my 93, sometimes it shifts all gears fine but sometimes, its very hard to get into first. but mine is more while its cold not hot.. so lately I just let mine warm up for a minute before going
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Old 03-22-2015, 07:38 PM
Rando76 Rando76 is offline
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Default Re: 5 speed transmission hard to shift after warming up

It has 144K miles. The shifter seems tight, there isn't much slop. I drove it more today, it definitely is worse when it warms up. It sure acts like a clutch not fully disengaging. I measured the movement at the slave cylinder again today and it's about 5/8". Also, I tried pumping the pedal, no difference. I inspected the pressure plate and it visually looked fine. I would think that if it was a pressure plate, the problem would exist when it was both cold and warm. If it was the synchros, wouldn't I see this problem in both cold and warm conditions?
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