Difficulty shifting when stopped

[Ed Brown]

98 XLT 4.0L V6OHV 5SP 2WD 38Kmiles

Wife driving; stopped, "I can't shift!" I suggest cycling the clutch pedal to the floor and back. She was able to shift and get into a parking lot. I then drove, with no problem. I can feel the synchro working and upshift downshift without difficulty. Happened twice, 2 months apart. She then drives around town with no problem. Is this the start of the slave cylinder problem? We had a clutch put in at about 28K miles.

I am an old guy and was really taken aback to see ATF when I checked the transmission fluid level. I gave up servicing my own cars when carbuerators went away. I have to believe there must be a better lubricant than ATF in a manual transmission.

Thanks.

 

[Doug]

ATF is the proper lubricant to run in your truck. Why did you have the clutch done on your truck done @ 28k miles? Thats way to early for the clutch to be going. I have a similiar problem in my truck it was real hard to shift and then it finally got to the point where i had to bleed to clutch once a week. I have the trans pulled out right out and it was indeed the slave cylinder leaking. If she has to pump the clutch to get it to shift it could be the slave cylinder or a leak some where else with in the system.

 

[unclemeat]

I have a similar problem in my Ranger. My mechanic said it was not the clutch, but the transmission. He said ther are plastic linkage rods in the transmission, and they are subject to excessive wear. When mine won't go into gear I can cut it off and then get it into gear. You should change the transmission fluid, that may help.

 

[Ed Brown]

Thanks to Doug and unclemeat

Since I am not loosing clutch fluid (my bad for not mentioning that) I will guess 1) air bubble 2) sticking slave cyclinder 3) shift fork wear in that order. I will bleed and refill......and wait.