Difficulty getting M5OD into 1st gear
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
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Difficulty getting M5OD into 1st gear
96 f-150 4x2 130,000 miles.
Really have to work the shifter to get into 1st gear from a dead stop. Once rolling, all gears shift smooth as silk. I use to be able to shift into reverse and then move into 1st smoothly...but not anymore.
Getting so bad that I have to shift into 1st gear as I decelerate. 1st gear engages around 7-10 miles an hour easily, but then I have to keep the clutch in while waiting at lights.
Clutch? Synchronizer? Fluids are in good shape.
Thanks in advance!
Really have to work the shifter to get into 1st gear from a dead stop. Once rolling, all gears shift smooth as silk. I use to be able to shift into reverse and then move into 1st smoothly...but not anymore.
Getting so bad that I have to shift into 1st gear as I decelerate. 1st gear engages around 7-10 miles an hour easily, but then I have to keep the clutch in while waiting at lights.
Clutch? Synchronizer? Fluids are in good shape.
Thanks in advance!
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
My truck did the same thing until I replaced the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, TO bearing and hydraulic system. I just dealt with until the slave cylinder finally went out (200K + miles). No clue which part actually fixed the hard shifting problem, but since I was replacing the slave, I went ahead replaced everything mentioned. Didn't touch anything inside the transmission.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
Have you checked the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder? Don't forget to remove the rubber cup under the cap. Your clutch may just be not disengaging enough. If this was the case, you would also probably have trouble shifting into reverse.
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Thanks for all the reply's.
Plumcrazy...if you mean shifting from 2nd to 1st while in motion, no...provided I'm at the right speed as I down shift. At a dead stop however, with engine running and clutch depressed, reverse match from 2nd to first is difficult. I usually find it easier to match using the reverse gear..but that too has become difficult lately.
Ed....good insight
88n94...Fluid level looks good in the master. However, I find it a little tricky to determine just how much to add as the rubber cap kind of covers things up. When I topped it off last, I had a small amount of spill over when I reset the rubber cap and lid.
I would say that I'm an above average user of downshifting when coming to a stop. I'm sure that has taken a toll on some levels.
Plumcrazy...if you mean shifting from 2nd to 1st while in motion, no...provided I'm at the right speed as I down shift. At a dead stop however, with engine running and clutch depressed, reverse match from 2nd to first is difficult. I usually find it easier to match using the reverse gear..but that too has become difficult lately.
Ed....good insight
88n94...Fluid level looks good in the master. However, I find it a little tricky to determine just how much to add as the rubber cap kind of covers things up. When I topped it off last, I had a small amount of spill over when I reset the rubber cap and lid.
I would say that I'm an above average user of downshifting when coming to a stop. I'm sure that has taken a toll on some levels.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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Are you sure your clutch is disengaging completely? Does it shock the drivetrain when you put it into 1st? Does it engage with foot close to floor on takeoff?
You can put truck on incline, with it off and in 1st gear, and see if it'll move with clutch pedal to floor.
You can put truck on incline, with it off and in 1st gear, and see if it'll move with clutch pedal to floor.
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89F2urd....there is a very,very, very slight lurch shortly after I get the car in 1st gear...but it does not cause the car to roll forward on level ground. In the same scenario, the truck will roll backwards on an incline. I feel like after 130K I should replace the clutch anyway. Who knows.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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and how close to the floor does it begin to engage the clutch? at 130k its hard to believe the synchros are bad, but certainly possible...a lot of variables there to cause failure.
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From: Kansas City, KS
I have a '96 w/ 167k that can be difficult to put in first gear. It got better when I changed the fluid, but it's still not great. Change your fluid first if you haven't.
I only downshift when slowing to a stop when I need engine braking. I can't remember using first gear for engine braking though, seems tricky to do so comfortably. I put it in neutral when slowing under normal conditions and when stopped in traffic.
Sometimes it seems like I can't find first when stopped. When that happens, I keep the clutch pedal depressed & slide the shifter backward into fourth, then, for some reason, I can get back into first easily. I checked my shift forks, thinking they could be worn, but they were still in good condition.
Check/change fluids, then evaluate clutch condition. If you're not getting unavoidable grinding, you're not ready for a rebuild i.m.o.
I only downshift when slowing to a stop when I need engine braking. I can't remember using first gear for engine braking though, seems tricky to do so comfortably. I put it in neutral when slowing under normal conditions and when stopped in traffic.
Sometimes it seems like I can't find first when stopped. When that happens, I keep the clutch pedal depressed & slide the shifter backward into fourth, then, for some reason, I can get back into first easily. I checked my shift forks, thinking they could be worn, but they were still in good condition.
Check/change fluids, then evaluate clutch condition. If you're not getting unavoidable grinding, you're not ready for a rebuild i.m.o.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 372
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From: 85716
My truck did the same thing until I replaced the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, TO bearing and hydraulic system. I just dealt with until the slave cylinder finally went out (200K + miles). No clue which part actually fixed the hard shifting problem, but since I was replacing the slave, I went ahead replaced everything mentioned. Didn't touch anything inside the transmission.
I also had a problem where it wouldn't want to go into 2nd when already rolling.
Changing the clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing and slave clyinder helped with the getting into 1st gear issue.
However, I still can't get it into 2nd every once in awhile... I think that's related to a worn synchro. I'll wait until the transmission dies and address that with a rebuild M5OD or a ZF5 conversion.
Good luck.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2011
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typical indications of a faulty master/slave. unfortunately you have to pull the trans toget to them, you should use OEM replacements, the xyz auto part stores have low quality stuff, and since its so hard to get to you want it to last.
misewell do the clutch while in there too. also, your worn setup has put excessive strain on your 1st and reverse synchros...but fresh parts should clear it up quite a bit. a bottle of lucas helps worn synchros also.
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