Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 09-24-2018, 09:28 PM
Branger21 Branger21 is offline
working on it
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 20
Default 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

I have an issue that seems to be getting worse by the day. When I want to get going from a stop there is a very strong resistance for me to put it in 1st, I used to be able to slide in 2nd then it would go into 1st just fine (holding the clutch the whole time). This happens I would say about 80% of the time, and now that method doesn't work, I have to force it into 2nd, get it rolling then try and slide it into 1st, it makes me look like some kind of idiot at stoplights/signs.
Now it even resists to go into almost any gear from a stop, not as bad as 1st but I still feel like it doesn't like it.
Furthermore while rolling it sometimes shifts pretty rough into 2nd and even into 3rd. Double clutching seems to help a little which leads me to think it might be a synchro issue?
Just wondering if anybody has experienced anything similar or has any insight on the issue and would really appreciate any advice/help, I am hoping to get this resolved before the winter hits, I like to do my own work when possible and that is not very fun once it starts getting below freezing.
-Something that might help, I did just change the transmission fluid at the beginning of the summer with Valvoline ATF mercon 5 which is what my owners manual instructed me to use.
__________________
2011 Sport 4dr SuperCab 4x4 4.0L V6 5 speed. 265/65R17 Duratracs on Rockstar 3 wheels, customized with white star and split spokes, stock height for now.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-24-2018, 11:32 PM
Undrstm8ed Undrstm8ed is offline
Habenae Est Dominatus
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,893
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Have you checked the fluid level of the Slave cylinder yet?
__________________
_______________________

My Build Pg. Threads
+ 93' Ranger Overlanding Build
+ 94' Ranger Bed Overlanding Trailer Build
+ 12° North Industries ~ I Support
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-25-2018, 04:05 AM
Branger21 Branger21 is offline
working on it
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 20
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by Undrstm8ed View Post
Have you checked the fluid level of the Slave cylinder yet?
If by checking the fluid level under the hood is the only way then yes it is maybe 1/8th of an inch under the step.
__________________
2011 Sport 4dr SuperCab 4x4 4.0L V6 5 speed. 265/65R17 Duratracs on Rockstar 3 wheels, customized with white star and split spokes, stock height for now.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-25-2018, 04:41 AM
tomboy tomboy is offline
Ford Ranger Driver
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,965
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Can you work it through all gears with the engine off? Do you have pressure on the clutch petal all the way to the floor, or just feel pressure the last couple inches or so? It sounds like a clutch issue, or the pilot bearing could also be causing it.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-25-2018, 04:48 AM
Branger21 Branger21 is offline
working on it
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 20
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomboy View Post
Can you work it through all gears with the engine off? Do you have pressure on the clutch petal all the way to the floor, or just feel pressure the last couple inches or so? It sounds like a clutch issue, or the pilot bearing could also be causing it.
It let's me work through all the gears with the engine off, it gives me resistance halfway into gear on some of them, it tries to stop partway engaged, which happens while driving sometimes as well.
Clutch pedal feels normal no loss of pressure.
__________________
2011 Sport 4dr SuperCab 4x4 4.0L V6 5 speed. 265/65R17 Duratracs on Rockstar 3 wheels, customized with white star and split spokes, stock height for now.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-25-2018, 04:22 PM
Bird76Mojo Bird76Mojo is offline
troll extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 635
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomboy View Post
Can you work it through all gears with the engine off? Do you have pressure on the clutch petal all the way to the floor, or just feel pressure the last couple inches or so? It sounds like a clutch issue, or the pilot bearing could also be causing it.

Please elaborate how a pilot bearing would cause this issue...

All a pilot bearing does is support the front end of the transmission input shaft.




GB
__________________
2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-25-2018, 06:12 PM
Branger21 Branger21 is offline
working on it
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 20
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird76Mojo View Post
Please elaborate how a pilot bearing would cause this issue...

All a pilot bearing does is support the front end of the transmission input shaft.




GB
By any chance do you have an idea of what it might be?
__________________
2011 Sport 4dr SuperCab 4x4 4.0L V6 5 speed. 265/65R17 Duratracs on Rockstar 3 wheels, customized with white star and split spokes, stock height for now.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-26-2018, 06:25 AM
Bird76Mojo Bird76Mojo is offline
troll extraordinaire
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 635
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

My only guess, without diagnosing the truck in person, would be a weak master or slave cylinder, or a worn out (possible broken fingers) pressure plate..



GB
__________________
2001 Edge Regular cab, auto 4.0L 4x4 4.10LS 8.8

1987 standard cab w/92 5.0/T5Z 31 spline 8.8 w/Torsen

1989 Regular cab longbed, manual 2.9 4x4 - Parts BroncoII's x 3
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-30-2018, 01:19 PM
yulla yulla is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 7
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

I had the exact same issue and everything I read pointed to the slave cylinder. Sometimes I could jam it into first (from a dead stop) if I revved the engine a bit. You have to drop the tranny to get to the slave cylinder so consider replacing the clutch and master cylinder while your at it. I ended up paying (a lot) to have a shop replace everything.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-31-2018, 09:25 AM
crowdpleazer crowdpleazer is offline
^thats what they call me^
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 533
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird76Mojo View Post
Please elaborate how a pilot bearing would cause this issue...

All a pilot bearing does is support the front end of the transmission input shaft.




GB
If the pilot bearing is worn to the point of having more friction than normal or "hanging up", then it would keep the input shaft spinning when the clutch is disengaged. This could cause symptoms similar to a clutch that is not releasing completely. Some are brass bushings and some are roller bearings. I'm not sure which kind the Rangers have but either can cause the same problem.

To the OP, this is a possible problem, or the clutch isn't releasing all the way. I'd suggest sometime soon doing a whole clutch job with a new master cylinder, slave cylinder throw out bearing, and pilot bearing.
__________________
1998 ranger extended cab, 2wd, 4.0 ohv, 5 speed, sony xploid 52 4 way watt radio, 2 pair of pioneer 240 watt speakers, Cobra 29 LX LCD CB radio pushing 100 watts, k&n air filter, 15 inch exploder wheels, dual exhaust with 4 inch stainless tips, 2 12 inch subs with a 1000 watt amp just for the hell of it!

new project: dirt track modified racing at the local saturday night track.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-31-2018, 01:36 PM
roscoe 0202 roscoe 0202 is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 44
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

I have read in another forum that mercon 5 in a m50rd1 trans makes it hard to shift try going to dexron IIImerc fluid and see if this don't help
roscoe
__________________
roscoe 0202
hi newb here truck 94 b4000 mazda aka ranger
truck is stock just runaround
have project bronco II
i'm 74 and retired
roscoe
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-01-2018, 07:05 PM
Branger21 Branger21 is offline
working on it
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 20
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

Quote:
Originally Posted by yulla View Post
I had the exact same issue and everything I read pointed to the slave cylinder. Sometimes I could jam it into first (from a dead stop) if I revved the engine a bit. You have to drop the tranny to get to the slave cylinder so consider replacing the clutch and master cylinder while your at it. I ended up paying (a lot) to have a shop replace everything.
That is actually exactly what is happening I was able to rev the engine and it would let me into 1st sometimes. I ended up flushing the fluid one more time and added a bottle of Lucas Transmission Fix and topping it off with the recommended mercon V that has made it a lot better.
I plan on replacing the clutch and everything else that I can next summer.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by roscoe 0202 View Post
I have read in another forum that mercon 5 in a m50rd1 trans makes it hard to shift try going to dexron IIImerc fluid and see if this don't help
roscoe
Is dexron III a thicker fluid? And is it safe to use in that transmission? It seems like Mercon 5 is just so thin, I added a bottle of Lucas Transmission fix which is a thicker substance and just topped it off with mercon 5 and it is getting a lot better.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by crowdpleazer View Post
If the pilot bearing is worn to the point of having more friction than normal or "hanging up", then it would keep the input shaft spinning when the clutch is disengaged. This could cause symptoms similar to a clutch that is not releasing completely. Some are brass bushings and some are roller bearings. I'm not sure which kind the Rangers have but either can cause the same problem.

To the OP, this is a possible problem, or the clutch isn't releasing all the way. I'd suggest sometime soon doing a whole clutch job with a new master cylinder, slave cylinder throw out bearing, and pilot bearing.
I plan on doing a whole clutch job, including anything else that might need to be replaced that I have access to during that job, just trying to wait until spring next year.
I drained the trans and replaced it with some Lucas Transmission Fix topping it off with Mercon V and that has helped a lot, hoping it will get me through the winter.

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bird76Mojo View Post
My only guess, without diagnosing the truck in person, would be a weak master or slave cylinder, or a worn out (possible broken fingers) pressure plate..



GB
Hopefully this Lucas Transmission Fix stuff will last me through the winter, going to dive into the issue a lot more once the weather starts warming up and I can use my Bike for transport if I need to work on the truck for more than one day.
__________________
2011 Sport 4dr SuperCab 4x4 4.0L V6 5 speed. 265/65R17 Duratracs on Rockstar 3 wheels, customized with white star and split spokes, stock height for now.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-03-2018, 11:11 AM
roscoe 0202 roscoe 0202 is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 44
Default Re: 1st gear almost impossible while not moving

the dex iii is quite thin also but they say the mercon V is stickier that causes the problem

roscoe

ps ford used dex III mercon in that transmission before and sometime after mercon V they just changed to mercon V to cut their inventory
__________________
roscoe 0202
hi newb here truck 94 b4000 mazda aka ranger
truck is stock just runaround
have project bronco II
i'm 74 and retired
roscoe
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
hard shift, manual

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Impossible to find manual 4x4 in cali CaliLivin Western Region 10 06-21-2017 11:56 PM
impossible location of 1999 v6 oxygen sensors wiliweld Introduce Yourself 7 02-27-2013 11:08 PM
Replacing oil press. switch seems impossible Floordford 4-Cylinder Tech 1 02-04-2012 12:02 AM
Bigger-than-stock tires - no power in 5th gear... gear ratio? sixshooter 4-Cylinder Tech 12 06-21-2011 09:01 AM
Impossible Competition Rusty4419 Laugh Factory 1 11-16-2010 07:35 AM