1999 5-spd is Hard to Shift

1Dollar · #1 01-07-2009, 05:13 PM

I have a 1999 with a 4.6L and a 5-spd. 1st gear can sometimes be tough to get into when I'm just barely rolling (1-4 MPH), 3rd gear is hard to get into almost all the time, and 5th sometimes acts like the "reverse guard" (I don't know the proper name for it) hangs up and I have the wiggle the shifter in neutral to get it in 5th. All of these delays are long enough so that by the time I get it in gear, the engine is down to an idle and I've been coasting for a few seconds. It isn't very convenient to say the least. 2nd and 4th seem fine. Any ideas what the issue may be? The fluid was changed about 6000 miles ago, but it has always been like this. 66,500 miles on the truck.

What transmission do I have in this truck? (4X4 longbed)

Would a 5 or 6 speed from a 1999 or 2000 F-250 fit in this? Both trucks could be had with a small block and a manual tranny?

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Titanium · #2 01-07-2009, 08:46 PM

check your slave cylinder and reservior for your clutch. also does your pedal sometimes stick to the floor while your driving it? try pumping the clutch and see if it goes into gear easier. you might have air in there somewhere or it could be time to just replace your slave cylinder and what not.

x_sgs_x · #3 01-07-2009, 10:11 PM

Start by Changing Your fluid it takes 4 quarts of Mercron V ATF , that should help, also bleed your slave cylinder its the 8mm fitting on the side of your tranny drivers side right above the hose. BTW your tranny is a M5OD

glc · #4 01-08-2009, 03:32 AM

A Super Duty transmission will not fit.

If you are having problems with 1st, 3rd, and 5th, that sounds more like problems with the linkage or shift forks than it does clutch issues.

1Dollar · #5 01-08-2009, 03:01 PM

Ah, I do see oil dripping down the bellhousing :-( (I looked real quick) I'll look at it to see if it is Brake Fluid or Engine oil. The brake fluid I'm assuming would almost guarantee the slave cylinder, right? I'm gonna take the rubber plug off and look in there too.

Thanks

1Dollar · #6 01-08-2009, 05:58 PM

Ok. Looks like Brake Fluid on the passenger side of the bellhousing. The reservoir was down a bit as well.

I have never noticed the pedal sticking or anything, but the amount of free-play has always varied from time to time on this truck.

Thanks

glc · #7 01-09-2009, 10:51 AM

Yup, it's time for a slave. Might as well do a full clutch job as long as you are in there, the tranny has to come out to do the slave anyway and it's possible the leak is contaminating your clutch disc.

JMC · #8 01-09-2009, 07:38 PM

FWIW a ZF 5 or 6 speed transmission from a SuperDuty will bolt up to your engine. But it will not fit in the transmission tunnel. If you have a 6 bolt 4.6 Vin W you are SOL as you need a Superduty flywheel and they only come in 8 bolt crank configuration.