My '05 GT with 5-speed manual is very "clunky" when shifting into all gears. I'm leaning towards the linkage bushings being the issue (start with the cheapest fix first, right!?!) My question is how much (if any) does an aftermarket shifter smooth up shifting? If I've got to replace it, I might as well put a short-throw shifter in it. I've searched the forum, but only found references to clutch and throw-out bearing causing shifting issues, but I don't think this is the problem.
Clunky Shifts '05 Stock 5 Speed Manual
- Thread starter TXNSTANG
- Start date
Dino Dino Bambino
I have a red car
If the shifter feels wobbly when in each gear and it feels like stirring a bowl of soup trying to change gears, that's a sure sign the shifter linkage bushings are shot.
The cheapest fix is to replace the bushings. That'll make a night and day difference but if your mind is set on a short throw shifter, I highly recommend the Barton. It'll feel slightly heavy and notchy at first but the throws are short, meaty, and precise. With use it'll become lighter and smoother.
Clutch issues usually make the gears difficult to engage and even cause them to grind if you try to force the shifter into gear.
The cheapest fix is to replace the bushings. That'll make a night and day difference but if your mind is set on a short throw shifter, I highly recommend the Barton. It'll feel slightly heavy and notchy at first but the throws are short, meaty, and precise. With use it'll become lighter and smoother.
Clutch issues usually make the gears difficult to engage and even cause them to grind if you try to force the shifter into gear.
SVT Rider
Member
People have had good luck with replacing the plastic OEM bushings with the bronze ones from AMP for the TR3650 remote linkage:
https://ampdistributing.com/collect...-manual-bronze-transmission-shift-bushing-kit
I added the AMP bushings in when I replaced the OEM shifter with a MGW shifter. The MGW comes with their own bottom two bushings on the shifter-to-linkage connection, but otherwise the rest (3 pieces) of the AMP kit applies since you reuse the OEM linkage and the bushings and collar tube.
I discovered the OEM plastic pieces were way past their prime.
https://ampdistributing.com/collect...-manual-bronze-transmission-shift-bushing-kit
I added the AMP bushings in when I replaced the OEM shifter with a MGW shifter. The MGW comes with their own bottom two bushings on the shifter-to-linkage connection, but otherwise the rest (3 pieces) of the AMP kit applies since you reuse the OEM linkage and the bushings and collar tube.
I discovered the OEM plastic pieces were way past their prime.
A bit of an update here! This past weekend I was able to change the fluid in the transmission. I have no idea when the last time it was ever changed (if it ever was), but it was due for it! I just went with the good 'ol Mercon V, and it did make a difference in the smoothness. It is still a bit notchy, but noticeably smoother! Now, the other issue I have is the transmission is whining like crazy! I took about a 350 mile round trip the day before changing the fluid, and the transmission was screaming like crazy, especially on acceleration and even on deceleration (which was another reason I changed the fluid as soon as I got home). The fluid change helped a little bit, but it is definitely still there. While trying to troubleshoot it, I noticed the minute I pushed the clutch in, the whine went away. So, the million dollar question is: Is it a throwout bearing? Pilot bearing? I guess in a day or two I will find out after taking it to my mechanic. I just know it won't be cheap no matter what it is! I'll post an update in a few days!
PS: Changing fluids on an extremely windy is not advised! LOL I had 20 mph wind gusts when I was draining the fluid, I think 25% made it into the pan, and the rest went onto my driveway (hence the box of kitty litter to soak everything up).
PS: Changing fluids on an extremely windy is not advised! LOL I had 20 mph wind gusts when I was draining the fluid, I think 25% made it into the pan, and the rest went onto my driveway (hence the box of kitty litter to soak everything up).
Dino Dino Bambino
I have a red car
Definitely the clutch release aka throwout bearing. If it was the pilot bearing, the symptoms would be the exact opposite.
UPDATE: So, it turns out what I thought was gear whine was actually my idler arm pulley getting ready to go out on me! It was weird because I would have bet money on a throw out bearing, but it would make a little bit of sense that when I pushed the clutch in, it wouldn't be putting as much load on the serpentine belt so it would stop whining until I released the clutch, so that fix is a lot cheaper than digging into the tranny.
With that said, my oil pan is leaking, the transmission extension housing seal needs replaced, and I have a coolant leak somewhere that I need to trace down. This is really nothing that I would not expect from a 20 year old car. I bought an '07 F-150 at an auction several years back with about the same amount of miles and had similar issues/repairs and it was good to go after that. I'm hoping these repairs will be it for awhile!
With that said, my oil pan is leaking, the transmission extension housing seal needs replaced, and I have a coolant leak somewhere that I need to trace down. This is really nothing that I would not expect from a 20 year old car. I bought an '07 F-150 at an auction several years back with about the same amount of miles and had similar issues/repairs and it was good to go after that. I'm hoping these repairs will be it for awhile!
Blue03Cobra
Member
Most likely the plastic elbow on a heater hose, under the intake manifold. You can shine a flashlight in the valley, between intake runners, to confirm.
Got it back from the shop today. Spent more money than I really would have liked, but I had them do the stuff that I either didn't have the time to do or the proper equipment, and as they say, how much is your time worth!?!
When I got it home, I had my teenage son start on changing the struts and shocks. He will be taking autoshop next year in high school and he wanted to learn. We only got the driver's side strut done when we discovered someone (not the shop) had put different bolt in the lower strut. I've got new ones on the way, but they are about $35 each! Ouch!
When I got it home, I had my teenage son start on changing the struts and shocks. He will be taking autoshop next year in high school and he wanted to learn. We only got the driver's side strut done when we discovered someone (not the shop) had put different bolt in the lower strut. I've got new ones on the way, but they are about $35 each! Ouch!
I replaced all idler bearings at 40k miles, manufacturer was FAG which is a high quality German company, very disappointing...... I replaced them with SKF.
Oh, censorship on work, the company name is F-A-G sorry snowflakes
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Apparently the clutch was replaced about 40k miles ago and the shop said everything looked good clutch-wise. The whine has dramatically decreased after the transmission fluid was changed. I am almost positive now that it is the gears in the transmission that are whining as it does it in all gears. There are no issues with drivability. I guess I just need to save up some $$$ for either a rebuild or a remanufactured TR3650 when it finally decides to go out. The shifter does have some slop in it and is a bit clunky when shifting (I tried speed shifting it the other day, but it isn't having any of that nonsense!) LOL
I just purchased an aluminum clutch rod bushing/eyelet that I plan on swapping out. I haven't crawled under the dash yet to see if mine has the OEM plastic bushing or a brass bushing. I've read some reviews where the OEM bushing gets a lot of play in it and affects the clutch. It looks like that will be this weekend's project.
StockishS197
Member
Did the same with my idlers at 57k miles. They weren’t squeaking but were very tight when turning by hand. Cheap insurance given these cars ageI replaced all idler bearings at 40k miles, manufacturer was which is a high quality German company, very disappointing...... I replaced them with SKF.
Oh, censorship on work, the company name is F-A-G sorry snowflakes
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