i dont know if this a problem or not,it may be normal but the truck is new to me. the truck is a 1997 f150 5speed 4.2 xlt, is it normal for it to be a little tough to shift in to 2nd gear? i dont have to force it at all and it does not grind at all just feels funny.but it does not go in as smooth as the other gears(it has 18,000 miles on it) should it shift super smooth? my 1988 f150 shifted very smooth. also is it normal to have to let the clutch out almost all the way before the truck moves? is this normal?

 

It is normal for the 5spd to shift hard sometimes, mine does the same thing. I wouldn't worry about the clutch as long as it isn't slipping.

Almost forgot, there is a Service Bulletin on the 5spds. If you are having trouble getting it into gear they are supposed to replace it with an updated tranny. Mine improved so I never had it done.
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'97 XLT Reg. Cab, 4.2V6,5spd,Lund Deflector,Dash Mat,MagnaFlow Muffler, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar,Edelbrock Shocks,Duraliner,Extang Saber Tonneau,2" Rear Drop,Amer. Rac. Atlas Wheels Clad in 275/60/17 Eagle GTII



[This message has been edited by Frank S (edited 04-27-99).]

 

you're not forcing and no grinding. Are you shifting too soon??? or late??? Are you going to fast or to slow for that gear??? Maybe try it at different rpm and at different speeds. And no, the clutch is engaging at the proper spot. Look up another topic here that deals with clutch release, that should relieve your mind.

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97F150 SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red,skid plates
leaky sliding rear window, Hard tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires
(it came with sm. tires) 40s Flowmaster, 3.55 LS,
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch K&N air filter

 

thank you for the info! george

 

If you are having a little trouble shifting you might want to take it to the dealer to have it checked. You may want to ask them about adding Ford friction modifier to the trans.I had a problem with my 5 spd Explorer like that and that's what the dealer did. It cured the problem. Mine had even started to grind a little.

 

George. I had a simular problem with my Ranger. Shifting wasn't the best. the F-150, like the ranger, uses a Japanese tranny. my 99 shifts better than my ranger did. I find it's easier at certian rpm's compared to others. try what Tina said and hope for the best.

I almost opted for the auto because of the manual notchiness I had with the ranger but I like to shift.

I may try what scroker talked about when I change trans fluid over to synthetic.

good luck, Henry


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99 F-150 XL 4x4. RC Flareside 4.6 5spd, 3.55LS. gibson 3" cat-back, K&N Gen ll.Westin step bars. The SILVER BULLET. Rock and Roll...Baby!!!

 

thanks, i will take it back to the dealer,i have been driving 5 speed for 15 years and i didnt think it felt normal, hopefully it will be an easy fix. i didnt know how to explain the problem to you all, but the last post got it! "notchiness" that is how second gear is! not smooth like the rest of the gears. thanks again!! george

 

My clutch on a 1997 5sp engages very soon after I start letting it out, the way I like it. Gear shifts aren't silky smooth but not unacceptably rough either.

 

I have a 1997 F150 Super cab 4x4 5speed. The clutch has never seemed right. It shifts rough and did from day one. It was one of my first complaints about the truck. For the first 10k miles the problem seemed to be getting worse. It got to the point where the pedal itself was squeaking and the shifting was rough in all gears. After 3 trips back to the dealer, they changed the slave cylinder claiming that the part had be re-engendered and this would solve my problem. It worked better for a little while. I swap driving my 89 bronco and the pick up and it started to really bother me that the Bronco clutch was smoother after 150k miles. I took it back to the dealer 2 more times and again they claimed no problems. After demanding to drive with a mechanic they agreed that something wasn't right. Today they replaced the slave cylinder again and the clutch plate. It seems better but, with the breaks and the front shocks all going before 24k miles there may be a bigger problem here?

Any one else been through this with the 97s? Did I just get one made on Monday July 5th?

 

My 98 XL 4.2L with the 5 speed is the same as yours terrible shift into second gear. If I knew it was a JAP transmission I never would have bought it I'd like to pull the shifter out of the floor and shove it up the service managers a$$. Typical Ford Bullsh*t they say it is working under spec and nothing is wrong with your transmission yda,yada yada ect... I now have 16,000 miles on it and the shifting is no better than the last time I had it at a Ford dealer look at it. I am going to try another dealer I am getting no satisfaction from the dealer I bought my truck from. I like my truck very much I just wish the shifting was better.

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98 F-150 XL 4x4, 4.2L, 5sp, 3.55 LS, tow package, 8 ft box

 

For the rough clutch, ask the dealer about the slave cylinder. See if they will admit that it was a re-engineered part? The tough part here is the dealer will give you the old "The clutch is only covered for 1 year or 12k miles". If you have any record of them checking the problem before 12k you may have a case. Or check out your states lemon law. In some states the have a three strikes and they are out kind of deal. Good luck.

 

My'98 V6-5sp:

I just had my clutch slave cylinder replaced a second time in about 18,000 miles to address a squeaking noise. This one isn't better than the last one, which didn't stay quiet for long after my OE part started to squeak.

My dealer says Ford is aware of the problem - comes from clutch dust falling into the parts - but they DON'T have an improved part or solution yet. They've "opened a file" for me (big deal). Since I'm not crazy about re-and-re'ing my tranny every couple of months, I agreed to stay with it and contact my service manager again in the summer.

Otherwise, my 5-speed shifts great. No trouble getting into second gear, even on a cold Cdn winter morning. And my clutch (and yours) should be covered by the full 36/36 warranty.

 

My 99 F150 4X2 Does the same thing. hard to get into 2nd and grinds going into 3rd when I downshift. It's been at the dealership now for 11 days and I am still not sure when I am getting it back. They dropped the transmission and said there was nothing wrong with the tranny, but decided to put a new one in just to be sure. A little peculiar I think for a truck with only 3700 miles. Do you know if the updated transmission is also for the 99's? Ford denies any problems at all with these Mazda transmissions.

 

I have noticed the same problem with my 98 manual tranny. The shift into second is never smooth, especially when shifting quick through fast acceleration. This is the first truck I have owned...i had just assumed they did not shift as smoothly. Looks like my dealer will be getting a visit very soon.

 

I had a '87 Bronco II 4x4 with a Mitsubishi 5sp trans that would never shift fast from 1st to 2nd. Dealer claimed that it was a "slow shift" transmission, Rangers were the same way. The faster you tried to shift, the more it would grind. Once I learned to take it easy going into 2nd, I didn't have any more problems for 145k miles.
Is it possible you guys are pushing it a bit too hard?
Remember, these trany's aren't built the same as those in cars.

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'97 F-250 L/D Lariat S/C, 4x4, 5.4, E4OD automatic, 3.73 gears, 4 wh. ABS and 4 wh. disk brakes, gray leather interior,keyless entry w/alarm, outside: white w/gray rocker section, sliding rear window, tow package. Mods- Ford running boards, Ford ventsahdes, Color-matched bug deflector, AVS tail light covers, Tuff Liner bed liner, unknown brand of cat-back exhaust system (previous owner installed).