What is the problem when I'm sitting in the truck with it shut-off, and the stick won't cycle through the gears without depressing the clutch? I use to be able to do this with the e-brake on and parked with the truck not running and without the clutch depressed. It was smooth as butter. Now it hangs up and crunches into about 3 of the 5 gears when I try to cycle through. It's random and effects all 5 gears, not just 3 certain gears. This is sort of what it feels like when I'm driving, so I want to figure out what the problem is. FYI, it also jerks really hard when I'm letting the clutch out as if I'm just snapping my foot off it no matter how slowly I let it out unless I ride the hell out of it. It pissed me off!!! Sometimes it feels like it does it before I even get the clutch let half way out. Ideas?

 

Jackal,

I'm no professional transmission builder, but I've been into a few.

Sounds like you have a couple of things going on. As far as not being able to cycle through the gears with the truck stationary--don't sweat it. The synchronizers that line up the gear teeth prior to enagement get worn over time, but they will most likely go a long time yet. I used to have an 88 F150 with the Mazda 5-speed in it and when I came to a stop, say at a light, I would put it in third, then come back to first--smooth as silk.

As for the hard jerks you feel when you let our on the clutch--that's most likely a warped Clutch disc and/or bad surfaces on the pressure plate and flywheel. Have a reputable shop replace the clutch disc and pressure plate and resurface your flywheel. put a new pilot bushing in there while you're at it. Depending on the age of the vehicle, you may also want to replace the throw-out bearring/slave cylinder assy. If it has started leaking--replace it.

The most expensive part of any transmission or clutch repair is actually getting it torn down---do it right while you are in there.

Sidewinder