I just bought a 99' F-250 SD with a 5 speed manual and a 7.3 PSD. She has about 93,000 on her and after grinding 3rd gear for under 2 seconds she now grinds while going into every gear but 5th. The thing is, it started grinding a few days after I orignally ground 3rd. It only grinds while moving into the gears, not in neutral buit before the stick "clicks" into the gear. The clutch is pressed all the way to the floor and foot is off the gas. I have no idea what's going on!

Please help


Thanks Much,
DC-9-32

PS- I also tried to check tranny fluid, but I don't know where the dipstick is. Or even if there is one.

 

Manual Transmissions don't usually have dipsticks. You check the fluid level by removing the fill plug and making sure the gear oil is up to the bottom edge. Your fill plug is probably located on the die of the transmission. There will probably be two plugs of the same style, with one at the bottom and one a few inches above it. I haven't had a look at the super duty 5-speed in quite a while, though. It is probably in the manual which plug it is.

I don't think your problem is going to be low fluid unless you've got yourself a leak. I'd look into whether or not the clutch is operating properly. I think it isn't pushing it down all the way. You have a hydraulic clutch on those, so even if the pedal is pushed all the way down, it might not be pushing all the way down on the clutch plate. Check your clutch fluid and look for leaks at the clutch master and slave cylinders.

I really don't think you lost all your synchros one after another like that. Of course, you could check that by double clutching, I suppose.

There is a bushing on the clutch pedal that is known to wear out with time as well. I'm not entirely sure what the tolerances are on it. It is a piece of white nylon, about half an inch diameter, and you have to partially remove the pedals to replace it.