2003 ranger 5 speed overdrive

[36hotrod]

my manual 5 speed in my 03 4x4 fx level 2 started to get hard to go in reverse and when backing out it would not want to go in 1st. there is no grinding of gears it is like the shifter is hitting a stop inside the trans , when the truck is used and it is hot it is better. i took it to ford and they took the trans out and said it was a bad pilot bearing. i got it back and seemed better, then gradually got worse. took it back and they pulled it out again and said the hydrolic throw out bearing was not fully applying to allow the input to stop turning which was making the trans not wanting to go in gear. again it seemed to work better after i got it back, now again it is bad. i changed different trans fluids from thin to synthetic to adding some additives to maybe stick on the gears to cause a little more resistance to stop the main shaft from freewheeling when in neutral ? didn't help. i am now nervous about backing out into traffic when the truck is cold because sometimes it just wont go into gear and i am almost bending the shift lever i am pushing so hard. i am getting frustrated with ford and my and am looking for any information that can help with figuring this out. i don't care to take the trans out myself this time if i knew what to check for. any suggestions welcome. Greg.........

 

[swetrid]

Sounds like maybe air in hydraulic clutch system

 

[EasyRhino]

my manual 5 speed in my 03 4x4 fx level 2 started to get hard to go in reverse and when backing out it would not want to go in 1st. there is no grinding of gears it is like the shifter is hitting a stop inside the trans , when the truck is used and it is hot it is better. i took it to ford and they took the trans out and said it was a bad pilot bearing. i got it back and seemed better, then gradually got worse. took it back and they pulled it out again and said the hydrolic throw out bearing was not fully applying to allow the input to stop turning which was making the trans not wanting to go in gear. again it seemed to work better after i got it back, now again it is bad. i changed different trans fluids from thin to synthetic to adding some additives to maybe stick on the gears to cause a little more resistance to stop the main shaft from freewheeling when in neutral ? didn't help. i am now nervous about backing out into traffic when the truck is cold because sometimes it just wont go into gear and i am almost bending the shift lever i am pushing so hard. i am getting frustrated with ford and my and am looking for any information that can help with figuring this out. i don't care to take the trans out myself this time if i knew what to check for. any suggestions welcome. Greg.........

If no grinding of gears, but hard to put the shifter into reverse, I would check my shifter linkage and adjustments first. Whoever is working on your truck seems to be 'easter-egging' the repairs while acquiring knowledge and experience on your dime.