2004 3.0 liter Manual 5 speed. It started being hard to shift just in first gear. I change the tranny fluid and it improved. It started acting up again, so I topped off the fluid again. Seemed to help some. But now, about a month later, it is tough to shift into any gear. I have to use two hands to get it into reverse. I stopped driving it. Afraid I won't be able to back out of parking spot.

Make sure you put the correct trans fluid in if it's to heavy it will cause hard shifting when it's cold check the owners manual. And if the clutch plate is dragging it will cause shifting problems.

__________________
barneycat11 2006 FX4

I got the right fluid in, however it was the generic (O'Rielly) brand . Too heavy? I know oil comes in different weights, but did not know tranny fluid does.

It's usually mercon V automatic transmission fluid but check your owners manual.

__________________
barneycat11 2006 FX4

When you try for a gear does it grind like the clutch isn't releasing, or just super hard to move the shifter?

It's not hard to actually move the shifter, just when I get it out of gear, it feels like I might not get it back into gear.

I picked up Motorcraft's Mecron fluid yesterday and intend to get it in tomorrow. I mean, it had the name Ford on it soooo....

It worked. So far so good. Let's see in a week, but otherwise I got my baby back.

Well it is back to being hard to shift again. I took less than 100 miles I'd say. Now I am stumped. I got some hauling to do with it and she's parked again. I really need it.

ANY suggestions? Should I be looking at the clutch plate? I get around engines just fine. I've rebuilt a few. But this is a new animal too me. Somebody please point me in the right direction.

My son's 02 Ranger (4.0 sohc, 5-speed man) started doing the same thing. He took it to my indy mechanic who replaced the clutch and it worked fine. I don't remember if the trans fluid was replaced at the same time.

Unfortunately his truck was rode hard and put up wet before he got it, and it died a few years later.

__________________
2002 Mazda B4000
4.0L V6 SOHC, 5-speed auto, Cab Plus 4WD
2015 Subaru Legacy Premium
2008 Subaru Forester X (Gone, bad trans)
1999 Mercury Mystique GS
1967 Mustang, 289 auto

When was the last time the hydraulic master/slave system was bled? Brake fluid getsold and "bad" over time. It draws excess moisture, and with it, air. Over time that air can separate out of the fluid and cause issues.

Try this. Get on flat ground. truck in neutral, pedal out. Push the pedal in, count to 3, try and put it into reverse. If its difficult, then you're likely looking at a clutch release issue. Try bleeding the system and attempt it again. Since it may have air in it, you can do as I do and pull the master off the firewall, flip it upside down, and with help of a friend, crack the slave bleeder, push the master pushrod in, and then close the slave bleeder while holding the pushrod in. Do this about 5-10 times to move all the old fluid out. Make sure to top the reservoir off every bleed attempt.

Another tell tale sign its clutch release, is being able to shift it easily with the truck not running and the clutch pedal depressed. If that ease goes away when the truck is started, you know where to look.

__________________
2001.5 2.3 213xxx and counting
M501-HD L154 Manual
Don't bother looking for 1st gear synchros, I bought the last one