I am new to posting in the forums, but have referred to this site many times. I have always been able to find answers to my questions, until now. I have a 2000 F150 V6 4.2L Ext Cab 5spd. Since I bought the truck with 39k on it, I would hear a very audible grinding from 2nd to 3rd gear once in a blue moon. Recently (at 90k miles) it is grinding/clunking into 3rd gear(I can feel it kickback a little bit when it clunks into gear). It makes no difference even holding the clutch 5 secs. I am guessing it is a syncro, but not sure. Is this a common flaw in the 5spd trannys? What can I do to fix it? Any help will be great. Thanks!

Nick

 

Hi Nick and welcome

This problem used to be quite common on the Mazda 5 speeds in the older F-150s. The newer ones don't seem to be as bad.
Usually the only fix is to replace the 3rd/4th synchro
It seems that usually if you move the shift lever really slowly into 3rd it will go in without crunching but it's sure irritating to have to drive like that.

 

Match the speeds and it will slide in without the clutch. We had an old subaru that used to do that, I'd take her up to 3k rpms and it would usually slide right into gear.

 

pfogle, I was always able to do that with my Ranger but still haven't mastered it with my F150. I think I will have to try again.

Racerguy, thank you for the reply. I am sure I would be in far over my head if I wanted to replace that synchro myself. Would I have to pull the tranny and is it even something that the average driveway mechanic could do themselves? Thanks in advance!

Nick

 

You would have to pull the transmission and pretty much totally disassemble it. To do that you need some bearing pullers etc.
It's probably not a good driveway job unless you're really brave.