My partner has a 91 Ford Ranger XLT which he has been having shift problems with lately.

When trying to shift into gear, it feels like the gearshift is catching on something, and it has to be wiggled a bit to make it slip into any of the gear positions. There's no noise related with it, nor does the transmission make any noise that it shouldn't. The clutch pedal feels fine, depresses fully without feeling spongy, makes no weird noises, there's plenty of transmission fluid and clutch fluid, et cetera. The tranny only has about 20k miles on it (was replaced a couple years back).

Anyone have any suggestions on what I should look for? I need to fix it this week...

 

sounds like it could possible be a problem with the hydraulic slave cylinder to the clutch. from what I have read and experienced they have had problems with this, especially with the older rangers, I had to replace two of them in my 93' - the first one leaked, the second one did not, was always full of fluid but as it got worse and worse it had similar shifting problems like you mentioned above -

 

Thank you! That will give me a good starting point; at least something to check out and eliminate.

 

I hate to say this but the downside is the slave cylinder to the clutch is located on inside the bell-housing of your transmission on the transmission shaft....if that is your problem I would recomend going ahead and replacing your clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing while you are there...total pain in the **** man, but good luck -

 

Yep, I knew that much at least, and figured I'd do all that while I was in there. The hard part is going to be finding somewhere level that I can get the truck up high enough so that I can actually drop the trans down (I don't currently have a garage at my house, and the driveway is on a hill). Well, that and being a girl I'm not physically as big/strong as some of you guys. We'll see how it goes...if I leave it up to him to do, he'll never get it done.

 

A good floor jack will be your best friend!!!

 

Helloooooo Harbor Freight...

 

Before you go ahead with the slave plan, hopefully I've read your post correctly, check the shifter for excessive wear.
The slave problem would often include balking, grinding, or out & out refusal to go into gear (especially 1st & reverse).
The shifter has to come out to do the slave anyways. So, give it a good looking over.
P.S. I have been known to be wrong before!

 

I would recommend that you change out the master cylinder before you do anything. They run about $50 and are a plastic appliance and they can wear causing shifting problems. You did not indicate if it had ever been changed so that is where I would start. Look in the cab under the carpet/mat and see if there is any fluid leaking by, dont have to be much. It is a PIA to change then bleen but it will be the easiest one to do at this time. If you do go and pull the trans go ahead and R&R the master along with the slave just to be sure and eliminate a potential problem.