shifting problems (1991 MTX)

[howdySHO]

Hello again! As I mentioned before, I am a new SHO owner. My only previous experience was driving my son's '93, which is MEGA more souped up than mine.

Anyhow, we just purchased the '91 about a month ago. The former owner had the clutch et al replaced about 2,000 miles before -- then parked it for about a year and a half, as she is in the USAF out of country.

This car does not shift smoothly at all. It is almost always 2-3 motions like ka (push) thunk (push harder). Sometimes ka-thu-unk. Almost feels like the way is "notched". Usually it goes into gear without much force, but occasionally it only goes "ka" with no "thunk", in which case I have to shift to another gear and back again OR let out and push in the clutch again. And sometimes it even goes into gear without any complaint, in one smooth easy, breezy motion -- but that is the exception, not the rule.

Opinions on this "problem" are varied. FPS says the clutch is "dragging," but they did not look at anything; just drove it. My co-worker drove it and thought it felt like the clutch "linkage", and my husband is POSITIVE it needs a new rod shifter. I just can't afford a big repair expense, so any ideas you have will, hopefully, cut down on diagnostic $$ and, maybe, it is just a simple adjustment or something (hope, hope! )

As I said at the start, the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, etc. etc. were replaced at a Ford dealership in MD (now) 7,000 miles ago.

Thanks so much for your input and expertise!

N

 

[sdpatt]

It sounds as if the clutch is not fully releasing. First, try lifting upwards on the clutch pedal to take up any slack in the clutch cable. You may hear a click or clicks that indicate that the cable was not fully tensioned.

If this doesn't make any difference, an examination of the release lever on top of the transaxle is in order. You can reach down and check for the amount of play in the lever between the tension in the cable and the contact of the release (throwout) bearing with the pressure plate springs. There should not be any free slack when you rotate the lever CW and CCW on its shaft.

To check the position of the release bearing you can prop a 7" long something under the clutch pedal to release the pawl on the clutch linkage toothed quadrant (blue plastic portion of a gear above the clutch pedal). Now go to the release lever and rotate it CW to completely pull the release bearing away from the pressure plate. Then rotate the lever back to the CCW position where the release bearing should be in contact with the pressure plate. Remove the prop under the clutch pedal and verify that the cable pawl fully catches and allows motion of the clutch pedal to fully stroke the release lever/release bearing. Any change?

 

[SHO--ripper]

How many miles on it?
I'd start by checking the tranny fluid after you try adjusting the clutch like scott said.

 

[SHO_Driver]

And also make sure there is fluid in the transaxle.

(Sho Ripper beat me to it....by two hours!)

 

[howdySHO]

Thanks! I'll have my hubby try all this and let you know what happens. BTW, the car has 125,000 miles on it; the clutch about 7,000 now (but it has been doing this the entire time we have owned it, since the clutch was 2,000 miles old approx.)

 

[Fourcats]

Sounds like the same thing we went thru, bad mechanics. If it continues try shifting 1-3-5, instead of hitting every gear, to minimize the abuse {and your frustration}. Good luck!

 

[howdySHO]

Yeah, FPS actually said the clutch was probably installed wrong. I couldn't figure out how in the world a Ford dealership could do it wrong, but . . . what do I know? LOL Just hope Scott's suggestions work. I left my darling SHO home with hubby today to try and make those adjustments.

BTW, how is it that I can be so attached to this car already? I've only had it a month and already I feel grumpy when I can't drive it. It is some kind of addiction.

 

[Huntervf]

You'd be surprised how many "wrong" things the Ford dealer can do when it comes to these cars.

Before you get into major work, I'd try something as simple as changing the transmission fluid. With a manual SHO the fluid will actually need to be pumped or sucked out, but most tranny shops should be able to do it for about $20. For replacement fluid, I HIGHLY recommend using GM synchromesh transmission fluid. It's specifically designed for manual transmissions and it really helps with the notchy shifting on a SHO. It's possible the Ford dealer used plain ol' ATF fluid or even a synthetic, and IMO that just isn't the right kind of fluid for the SHO transmission. I had EXTREMELY notchy and difficult shifting with my 89 after a full tranny rebuild and fresh clutch...I was running Royal Purple synthetic tranny fluid and when I switched to GM synchromesh I could literally shift the car with my pinky finger.

The downside? GM Synchromesh is only availabe at GM dealers, and it's $10/quart. You'll need between 3-4 quarts.

Before going any further indepth I'd try that along with the clutch adjustment Scott described above

 

[howdySHO]

Clutch adjustment wasn't it -- there was no play in the clutch cable at all. Currently having transmission fluid drained and replaced at a local High Performance Shop we trust. I hope that solves the problem. If not, I'll be ba-a-a-ack! LOL

Nina

P.S. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

 

[qiksho]

You'd be surprised how many "wrong" things the Ford dealer can do when it comes to these cars.

Before you get into major work, I'd try something as simple as changing the transmission fluid. With a manual SHO the fluid will actually need to be pumped or sucked out, but most tranny shops should be able to do it for about $20. For replacement fluid, I HIGHLY recommend using GM synchromesh transmission fluid. It's specifically designed for manual transmissions and it really helps with the notchy shifting on a SHO. It's possible the Ford dealer used plain ol' ATF fluid or even a synthetic, and IMO that just isn't the right kind of fluid for the SHO transmission. I had EXTREMELY notchy and difficult shifting with my 89 after a full tranny rebuild and fresh clutch...I was running Royal Purple synthetic tranny fluid and when I switched to GM synchromesh I could literally shift the car with my pinky finger.

The downside? GM Synchromesh is only availabe at GM dealers, and it's $10/quart. You'll need between 3-4 quarts.

Before going any further indepth I'd try that along with the clutch adjustment Scott described above

Had same problem with my 92 after my dad and I did a clutch job. We then ripped it all apart again and everything was put together right. SO we ripped apart the tranny and refreshed it, even though the internals were perfect. Needless to say the problem was the transmission fluid. The regular ATF does not do the trick in the SHO tranny. They have a few names for it now, but I have had nothing but problems with that transmission fluid in the SHO mtx. Moral of the story: don't always take what the repair manual says for granted, they listed tranny fluid that is not meant for the SHO tranny. The Ford dealer also had no idea.

Like stated above go to the gm dealer and buy a few quarts of the gm synchromesh...definately worth the money. After 5 minutes of driving the 92 with the new fluid I was very much amazed. Now the thing shifts better than any SHO I have ever been in or owned.

 

[howdySHO]

Tranny fluid drained and replaced (Merc III ATF, I think). Shifting is smoother and have had no problems with having to "fight" it into gear. It is still notchy, but better. I think I will have to be satisfied with that for now. Will consider the synchromesh the next time around. Boy, this car is sure fun to drive. Lucky I have not earned myself a speeding ticket yet. ) Have a great week, all!