The Definitive "Hard To Shift" Thread

[NickS]

^ Just get motor mounts and the torque limiters from CHE like everybody has said. If you don't wanna do it that way then wait for the T56 for our cars with the direct mount shifter lol. I still haven't done motor mounts or the torque limiters! I need to

Yeah that might be my next major purchase. I think I'm going to do that before a CAI/Tune. Hopefully they're as easy to install as the O/R X was last night! Banged that out in an hour with an impact.

 

[ayabrego]

^ I hope you're joking. And do you have rims from the new edge? Sorry to go off topic I was too curious

I am talking about coming to a stop then putting the car in reverse. That is when I have a hard time. Not while driving on the free way and trying to put it in reverse.
What do you mean new edge? They are off of a 2000 mustang

 

[gil_t2]

I got so feedup with the hard shifting, i put in the 6060, problem fixed. Yes i have CHE Tq-limiter

 

[bmaxwell]

Yeah that might be my next major purchase. I think I'm going to do that before a CAI/Tune. Hopefully they're as easy to install as the O/R X was last night! Banged that out in an hour with an impact.

The torque limiters will be easy to install but motor mounts will be a little harder, but I haven't done that yet so idk how hard! I bet ur lovin the O/R X, they're bad ass.

I am talking about coming to a stop then putting the car in reverse. That is when I have a hard time. Not while driving on the free way and trying to put it in reverse.
What do you mean new edge? They are off of a 2000 mustang

Oh haha my bad I wasn't sure if that's what you meant or not, but yea I had the same problem I just stick it in another forward gear then reverse. I think that will help you. And a new edge is the 99-04 years which is an SN95 just a new edge SN95. Just generation talk. They look good on ur car

I got so feedup with the hard shifting, i put in the 6060, problem fixed. Yes i have CHE Tq-limiter

Yes! This is the ultimate way to go besides that t56 maybe, but yea I wanna do this lol it will definitely be awhile though!

 

[Boss281]

I do, I did it first. I'll help you through it. Get it and PM me when you are ready to put it in and I will let you know where to hack saw. It's a quick solid allteration that is simple. NO worries man.

You still have those instructions handy? I seem to recall you sending me a diagram on where to cut the CHE k member brace so it would fit on the BMR k-member but I'm not seeing this in my PMs...

 

[aleborjas]

i'm tired of fixing in my shop tranny's of customer believing on magazines using CRAP clutches like centerforce, spec etc wen they are at WOT and tried to shift is almost imposible you have to let the rpms go down so the shifter can go in until i found the only and for me the BEST single disc clutch (they are not sponsor me LOL) is called EXEDY Mach 400 and 500 you can shift at any rpm's you want powershifting and they hold abuse, i've tried the mach 400 that they call it almost a stock replacement on low 11 sec cars and you can hear the slicks bark on 4th gear and is soft like stock, the 500 is a little stiffer but holds more power, more than arround 550 hp i'll go the mach 500 tested on 10 sec cars... they are both organic discs and everything is SFI...
over that the stock 3650 wont hold unless using TR6060 use McLeod dual or Ram
wally from Promotion powertrain told me not tu use ceramic clutches on stock trannys you will break a shaft or a pinion if the car hooks good!

 

[Mustang30212]

not tu use ceramic clutches on stock trannys you will break a shaft or a pinion if the car hooks good!

This was me on my 3rd pass with a new Spec Stage 2+ at Bowling Green a couple weeks ago.

RH

 

[908ssp]

Since this is the definitive thread I'll relate my experiences. This might help someone fixing their car.

With the stock clutch the car shifted fine not great. I changed the fluid to Amsoil and it improved. I then SCd which required my changing the clutch as the stock one wouldn't hold the power of the new setup. I changed to a Spec 2+ seemed fine at first but slowly the clutch wouldn't release all the way dragging and making shifts more and more difficult. I bled the system with a vacuum bleeder and that didn't help. I removed the transmission and shimmed the clutch slave cylinder 1/8 of an inch. That cured the problem shifts great. Conclusion is that the diaphragm plate on the Spec clutch lost some shape over the first few drives. It wasn't properly cold set. What this means if I am correct is the fingers bent slightly after install not allowing the clutch to fully release given the limit of the throw on the slave cylinder. By adding a shim the slave cylinder throw was made longer and allows the Spec clutch to fully release. If the fingers continue to move than the clutch is garbage. If like a spring they are now at what is called their cold set point they will be fine for at least the life of the plate.

 

[Chris B.]

I'm reviving this because I've had a shifting issue and I've been unable to resolve it.

When I bought my '05 GT, it came with a Hurst shifter, which was a complete piece of cr@p! The bushings allowed for too much play and it was easy to miss shifts. I decided to put in a MGW just like I had in my '08 GT.

The shifting improved quite a bit after the MGW was installed, but I still have some issues. When the trans in in gear, any gear, there is 1" of side to side play on the shift lever. It still causes me to have problems getting the trans into gear, especially with higher RPM shifting. I noticed the side to side play in the shift linkage at the front of the shifter arm where it attaches to the part that goes inside the transmission. Today, I attempted to add some washers in there to get rid of the side to side play, but the side to side play still there. It seems that the bushing and parts inside the connection are worn. Does anyone make an aftermarket piece to replace the bushing and O rings in between the shifter arm and the part that sticks out of the transmission? I saw that some people removed the white bushing in the linkage at that point, but I don't see how adding more play in the linkage will resolve the shifting issue.

My '08 GT seemed to have absolutely no issues with the MGW shifter and 6500 RPM shifts. However it didn't have any noticeable side to side play in the shifter when in gear. I'd like the '05 to shift like the '08.

 

[Boss281]

I'm reviving this because I've had a shifting issue and I've been unable to resolve it.

When I bought my '05 GT, it came with a Hurst shifter, which was a complete piece of cr@p! The bushings allowed for too much play and it was easy to miss shifts. I decided to put in a MGW just like I had in my '08 GT.

The shifting improved quite a bit after the MGW was installed, but I still have some issues. When the trans in in gear, any gear, there is 1" of side to side play on the shift lever. It still causes me to have problems getting the trans into gear, especially with higher RPM shifting. I noticed the side to side play in the shift linkage at the front of the shifter arm where it attaches to the part that goes inside the transmission. Today, I attempted to add some washers in there to get rid of the side to side play, but the side to side play still there. It seems that the bushing and parts inside the connection are worn. Does anyone make an aftermarket piece to replace the bushing and O rings in between the shifter arm and the part that sticks out of the transmission? I saw that some people removed the white bushing in the linkage at that point, but I don't see how adding more play in the linkage will resolve the shifting issue.

My '08 GT seemed to have absolutely no issues with the MGW shifter and 6500 RPM shifts. However it didn't have any noticeable side to side play in the shifter when in gear. I'd like the '05 to shift like the '08.

Interesting, another person with less than stellar results with an MGW. That play or "rubberyness" is the same problem I have especially at 6500rpm+, and I am going to try a brand new Hurst to see if that cures the problem. I have tried an MGW on another S197 and it was solid and inspired confidence, and didn't feel anything like mine.

Despite the engineering masterpiece it is, it's possible yours and mine is simply defective. Call MGW and relate the experience. I did so in writing and they are willing to work with me after my upcoming Hurst "experiement".

 

[Chris B.]

Interesting, another person with less than stellar results with an MGW. That play or "rubberyness" is the same problem I have especially at 6500rpm+, and I am going to try a brand new Hurst to see if that cures the problem. I have tried an MGW on another S197 and it was solid and inspired confidence, and didn't feel anything like mine.

Despite the engineering masterpiece it is, it's possible yours and mine is simply defective. Call MGW and relate the experience. I did so in writing and they are willing to work with me after my upcoming Hurst "experiement".

The issue I'm having has absolutely nothing at all to do with the MGW shifter. Its an issue with a Ford factory part that is wearing out. Did you read what I typed above?

I hated my Hurst shifter. It was absolute crap compare to the MGW in my '08 GT or the factory shifter.

I noticed the side to side play in the shift linkage at the front of the shifter arm where it attaches to the part that goes inside the transmission. Today, I attempted to add some washers in there to get rid of the side to side play, but the side to side play still there. It seems that the bushing and parts inside the connection are worn.

The place with the play in the shift linkage is not the MGW shifter to any connection to the MGW shifter. It is the connection between the OEM shifter arm and the OEM transmission. There is absolutely no play int he MGW shifter or its connections to the factory pieces.

 

[Boss281]

Chris, I clearly didn't read it closely enough, but I'm glad you pointed this out. It's something to look for when swapping shifters around.

Just curious: the '05 have a first or second gen MGW?

 

[Chris B.]

Chris, I clearly didn't read it closely enough, but I'm glad you pointed this out. It's something to look for when swapping shifters around.

Just curious: the '05 have a first or second gen MGW?

Its a second gen. I bought the shifter new from MGW this past spring.

 

[Fuerte]

So I am now aware of this thread.

lately I have had third gear being blocked when I shift in the higher rpms. Would new mounts and torque limiters help?

 

[KillrStang]

Damnit why didnt I read this thread before now... I seriously just thought i sucked at power shifting into second. Glad this was covered. Looking at trading in this hurst for the MGW, and getting the che torque limiters

 

[Back@itagain]

So I am now aware of this thread.

lately I have had third gear being blocked when I shift in the higher rpms. Would new mounts and torque limiters help?

Damnit why didnt I read this thread before now... I seriously just thought i sucked at power shifting into second. Glad this was covered. Looking at trading in this hurst for the MGW, and getting the che torque limiters

I know some guys have stated these mods helped. I did the same to included swapping fluid and installing the stainless steel braided clutch line. None of it really helped. High rpm, high load shifting almost always results in a couple teeth catching. I've been looking/waiting for options to just replace the whole thing.

 

[KillrStang]

Yea the tr6060 may be in my future

 

[JanShelbyGT500]

Subscribed. Being this is the definitive "hard to shift" thread there should be links to all these products : Che brace with torque limiters, Solid motor mounts, MGW shifter, etc... I have the usually 2-3 shift issues. I have a short shifter, don't know which. Should i start with the che brace? The solid motor mounts? Which? After that i would check the mgw shifter and finally replace the fluid with which?

 

[2010 SLEEPER GT]

I just read every post in this thread.
My car is a 2010 GT with a ROUSH M90 Supercharger and a HUSRT short throw… I too have the dreaded 2nd to 3rd shifting issues at high RPMs.
While I’m not a hardcore drag racer I do like to race my car at the local Flashlight Drags (1/8th mile on a “closed” airport runway). The missed shifts have caused me a lot of frustration. At times I have to just drop her in 4th and watch the other car take the win.
So I just installed the CHE K-Member Brace w/ Torque Limiters. While I haven’t tested it in the 5500 to 6000 RPM range yet, I did get on it while on the street and I don’t think it has changed anything.
I hope I’m wrong!
I was wondering if the stock clutch may be the problem and I see some of you have had luck with high performance clutches. After I run her at the first event in May I’ll know if I need to make further changes.
I will post my results as well as continuing to read everyone else’s results.
Thanks for all of the great information.

 

[Back@itagain]

I just read every post in this thread.
My car is a 2010 GT with a ROUSH M90 Supercharger and a HUSRT short throw… I too have the dreaded 2nd to 3rd shifting issues at high RPMs.
While I’m not a hardcore drag racer I do like to race my car at the local Flashlight Drags (1/8th mile on a “closed” airport runway). The missed shifts have caused me a lot of frustration. At times I have to just drop her in 4th and watch the other car take the win.
So I just installed the CHE K-Member Brace w/ Torque Limiters. While I haven’t tested it in the 5500 to 6000 RPM range yet, I did get on it while on the street and I don’t ink it has changed anything.
I hope I’m wrong!
I was wondering if the stock clutch may be the problem and I see some of you have had luck with high performance clutches. After I run her at the first event in May I’ll know if I need to make further changes.
I will post my results as well as continuing to read everyone else’s results.
Thanks for all of the great information.

I hope it works for ya...mine didnt. Although my 06 did not have a factory k member brace so at least I got something out of it. I think the problems are going to be related to the syncros. Im already putting a little away every chance I get to replace the 3650 with the new 56XL.