Hard to shift into gear!

[DAZ97XLT]

I have a 97' Explorer XLT Control Trac 4WD 4.0 v6
M5R1 5 speed tranny.... I think.....
Here's the number on the trans: F57A-FA

I've mentioned the hard shifting issue in at least one of my other threads.... Thought I'd open another thread to focus on just this issue!
The issue being that it's hard to get into gear 90% of the time and reverse is the worst! If I immediately try and shift into reverse it will grind but if I hold the pedal down first and ease it into gear it won't! Same with first and all the other gears seam to be a lot easier to shift into with a more rare hard shift into 5th gear...
The clutch doesn't slip at all and holds the gears just fine!
The pedal feels nice and springy too!
I see no leeks underneath either!
I already checked the shifter bushings and it looks like someone had already been in there and they didn't really know what they were doing! I found the top bushing wasn't installed correctly and also there was two shifter boots stacked on top of each other!!!
Even though the bushing was off the shifter stub was still nice and firm in there and there was no change after installing the bushing in it's correct position.
I'm certain the shifter bushings aren't the issue here so let's move on! I do plan on replacing them anyway....
What I did find is that the shifter stub looks like it may be worn out but is it enough wear to cause a shifting problem??? Here's pics of it!

 

[RangerX]

That’s the way the stub shaft is shaped.
Sounds like slave cylinder is your problem. You can try bleeding the clutch to see if you can’t get any improvement, but a new clutch may be in your future.
Is the clutch fluid reservoir full to the line?
Did you peel off the rubber grommet on the lower bellhousing to inspect the slave?

 

[DAZ97XLT]

That’s the way the stub shaft is shaped.
Sounds like slave cylinder is your problem. You can try bleeding the clutch to see if you can’t get any improvement, but a new clutch may be in your future.
Is the clutch fluid reservoir full to the line?
Did you peel off the rubber grommet on the lower bellhousing to inspect the slave?

I know it's shaped funky I just want to make sure... I tried to compare it to pictures of new one's and mine looks a little more rounded in some spots but probably not really worn to the point it would have an affect on anything... I didn't think it would be THE issue anyway...

I already tried bleeding the clutch by myself but it's a little difficult... That was the first thing I tried! Not sure if I was able to get all the air out but it didn't seam to make a difference...

The reservoir is full!

The grommet to the "inspection port" of the trans was missing when I got the Explorer.... I haven't been able to find one online...
I haven't looked in there to look at the slave either but when I did the bleed it felt loose, or at least the bleeder valve is loose.... No leaks that I can see...

I agree that it's most likely the slave!

The way things are priced I'll probably just replace the master/slave cylinders, clutch, pressure plate and flywheel.... These kits also come with a new hydraulic line! All of those parts for around $150 so not too bad!

I just wanted another opinion before ordering the kit!
Thank you sir!!!

 

[410Fortune]

Luk brand only!!!
How many miles on the current clutch?

The little bleeder is loose inside the transmission housing because it is mounted on the end of a long tube and simply hangs there in the hole in the side of the transmission, normal

The new master cylinder and line must be bled before installing into truck
Lots of videos online about best way to do this
Bench bleeding the master cylinder is the most important part of good clutch install