Manual Trans - Rough Shift

[Pete]

My 5-speed tranny ('91 4x4 4dr XLT) is shifting 'rough', i.e. it grinds just a little going into any gear. It just yeterday started doing this. It has 143,000 hiway miles on it. Is this the clutch, or is it the tranny? How do I distinguish between the two? Maybe the thing to do is go ahead and do the clutch and see what happens. Thanks! ! !


------------------
Pete

Thought for the day:
Good judgement comes from experience;
Experience comes from bad judgment.

 

[Ivan_M]

Pete...

Sounds very symptomatic like it's your clutch. First clue is the mileage..Explorer clutches typically give up the ghost around 115K, at 143k, you got some bonus mileage out of yours. The other clue was the slight problem of shifting into gears. This indicates that your clutch is just not disengaging all the way and is hanging up a bit, thereby making shifts problematic. You're gonna have to bite the bullet and get a new one. I'd go with an OEM one myself. There have been some reported problems with Centerforce Clutches on your vintage Explorer. While your at it, change out the clutch slave cylinder while you have it all torn into. It's surely on it's way out too. Check under your tranny/bell housing. You might notice some oil residue... that's your clutch slave leaking...

Ivan

 

[JR 91 Sport]

I have to agree that it is most likely the clutch. I have had the same symptoms on many other standard trannys when the clutch is failing. When you change it don't forget to check the pressure plate for uneven wear and / or grooves caused by your worn clutch. These can be remachined flat again and do not need to be replaced unless severly worn. Any competent machine shop can do this. Also do not forget to replace the throw-out bearing while your at it, this is a realitively cheap part that should be replaced with every clutch. You really lucked out with your mileage, I have 101K on my 91 Sport and I can tell I will be putting a clutch in this fall. JR

 

[j]

Sure sounds like your clutch. I have a Centerforce and like it very much, but was advised to only go with a Centerforce 1 (18% more clamping power). That real only trnaslates into a "heavy duty" clutch and there are many more HD clutches out there....Luca, Borg-Warner, etc.

Replace your clutch with an HD type...they are not much more expensive than an OEM and less than a Ford part. At your mileage you will need your pressure plate re-surfaced. I'd say with your mileage, you are a conservative and good driver and this new clutch will last you the life of your rig or until you part with it, whichever comes first.

Happy next 100K+ miles!

j

 

[Pete]

Thanks guys for your help. I was afraid of that. The trick now is getting it done before the Los Coyotes run...

Jack - Tell me how you decided on/ended up with the Centerforce. I have researched this at length and everyone I've talked to says that the Centerforce is problematic in Fords, i.e. they don't release all the way, causing premature failure.

There are two shops here in town that specialize in clutches and neither one will put in a Centerforce even if I provide it. Actually, one will install it but will not guarantee anything. They both said they've installed one Centerforce in a Ford in the past (one in a Mustang and one on an F-150), but never again due to early failures with the resulting bad business PR. So what gives? THANKS ! ! ! - Pete