hard to get into 3rd gear

backquiet · #1 05-09-2002, 09:13 PM

Hello all.
I recently bought a 99 F-150 2Wheel Drive 4.6 5-Speed.
The truck runs and drives great,but there is one problem.
I have a hard time getting it into third gear,shifting up or down.It feels "notchy", and at times I almost seem to have to force it to go in.There is no grinding.All the other gears work very smoothly.
The clutch operates perfectly.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Joe

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QUADMXer · #2 05-09-2002, 09:33 PM

I have the same problem, though not to the same degree. I can shift down into 3rd with no problems, but shifting up there is a definite clunk or grind. I only have 35000 miles on it ('98 4.6) so this may be why its not as drastic. If there is a fix for this I would like to know what it is before it gets worse.

jrm1493 · #3 05-10-2002, 01:09 PM

most people seem to have this problem with the 5-speed. luckily mine goes into 3rd fine, but when its cold it can be hard to get into 2nd. try shifting slowly and making sure you are moving it UP, not just diagonally into 3rd. what i mean is pull it up out of second, allow the spring to center the shifter, and push it up into third.... dont just try to jam it in diagonally from second. alot of people do that i think and that may be a reason for the problem.

its not a sports car.... try to shift slowly, when i take my time it shifts like a honda, but when i'm in a hurry it feels more like a dump truck. also you can replace the juice with some good synthetic atf, this helped mine a bit and theres no telling if its ever been changed or if its low since you got your truck used.

also when downshifting it helps alot if you double-clutcth and blip the throttle.

wittom · #4 05-10-2002, 06:16 PM

We have a notchy transmission. That is widely known. To date I don't think there is much we can do about it other than try the synthetic fluid.
I would start by trying different ways of shifting. Like jrm1493 said slow down the shifts. See what it does then. I try to shift in the H pattern, it seems to help. I think technique plays a big part in how this transmission shifts.
If it is something that happens all the time than you might need to have the syncro's checked out. I have seen a few that have had to have them replaced. Do you have any warranty?
Like was said earlier this is not a sports car but I think with good technique it will do it's job, even going a bit faster.
You have come to the right place for answers about your F150. Welcome aboard!

Tom

backquiet · #5 05-10-2002, 11:38 PM

Thanks for the info, jrm1493 and wittom.
I tried shifting allowing the shifter to "spring" over before putting it into third and that did seem to help some, at times. Some times, tho, it just feels like it "catches"going in,it just doesnt go in as smoothly as the other gears.
I will try the synthetic atf and see what that does for it.
And yes, the local Ford dealer ran the vin # on OASIS and there are a few more months of warranty left,and I only have 27000 miles on it.
So if all else fails,I'll go the warranty route, but I'd rather try the synthetic atf first and see how it goes.
Any particular brand of synthetic atf recommended?
Thanks again.
Joe

QUADMXer · #6 05-16-2002, 05:11 PM

Your right. Its not a sports car, but with the STX package it is marketed as a "sport" truck. I understand that it can't be shifted like a mustang, but you shouldn't have to let it spring to center...etc. just to get it in gear either. I have a few months left on my warranty as well and will take it in before its up, but if there is nothing that can be done, then why bother. What synthetic is recommended? Thanks for the input.

wittom · #7 05-16-2002, 08:57 PM

STX is a "sport" appearence group just like the Sport. There is nothing that is different from a non STX.

QUADMXer · #8 05-17-2002, 08:32 AM

I realize that, the point is that it is marketed as a "sport" truck. In any case, I don't remember seeing in the manual to let the shifter spring to center before shifting, shift slow, etc. It is a flaw and should be treated as such.

backquiet · #9 05-18-2002, 02:17 PM

Any particular type of synthetic atf recommended???

backquiet · #10 05-18-2002, 02:20 PM

Actually, I should have said "brand" not "type"....
oops.......

Talleywacker · #11 05-20-2002, 01:48 AM

T5 fits in our trucks... but it is a self adjusting cable clutch on the T5... we have a hydrualic clutch.

I'm currently working on a conversion for our trucks. The kit will include everything needed except the tranny.

this should fix our tranny problems... t5's would be very reliable, and they have much better sychros then the mazda tranny.