Hey guys, quite recently my new to me 01 f350 5.4 SRW 2x4 auto started to make crunching/grinding noises at/near shifting under light to moderate throttle. To add to the problem I used to not be able to manually select 1st. Anyway, I was fiddling with the gear selector today and actually got it into 1st (didn't use force or anything stupid like that.) After doing so the grinding has seemed to have stopped. To make this situation even more confusing, when under heavy acceleration the grinding dissipated. I am experiencing zero slip and all shifts are quick and smooth. .....any ideas? is the tranny shot? will it live?

Thanks.

 

anyone have some ideas?

 

Mark will cruise in and have some suggestions. He built transmissions for Ford. Be patient.

 

Thanks, just really unnerving to get a truck and have something this serious happen so soon.

 

I had a problem with mine not being able to be shifted manually into first. Found out it was a rock stuck in between the gearshift lever, electronic box and transmission case. You should check your shifter adjustment.

I had a similar issue on an old chevy camaro where the shift linkage wasn't adjusted correctly and the transmission wasn't firmly in gear and would do the same thing.

 

I am somewhat mechanically inclined but nowhere near as experienced as most of you. Is this a fairly easy task?

 

Put the shifter into "D" crawl under the truck and release the cable adjuster from the transmission shifter lever mounted onto the trans. You pry up the little plastic tab inside the adjuster and push up on the outside case and it'l pop up with a little effort. The cable should be loose. The manual says to push the lever two detents forward (2nd and 1st) then back to "D". Make sure the shifter lever in the cab is in the middle of the "D". Re secure the latch on the adjuster and presto! it's supposed to be adjusted. Sounds more complicated than it is. Once you're underneath the truck you'll understand better. It's also a good idea to mark the original position before making any adjustments and have a helper in the cab to move the shifter for you. I enlisted the wife, the labrador was completely unwilling to help. haha!

Even if you're not mechanically inclined I highly suggest getting a repair manual. It will help in understanding any issues as well as help with repairs if you want to make them. I suggest getting an "ebay" factory one on cd. They range from 15 to 40 bucks. That's what I did. Don't get a haynes. They stink.

 

Thank you very much!!! For the record the extent of my know-how is changing a ball joint.