I was driving my 2001 Ranger 4.0 5 Speed today and when I went to shift into 5th gear I was able to move the shifter about a foot farther to the right than usual. I then noticed that while engaged in any of the other gears I could move the shifter to the right (almost like its in neutral), but not very far to the left.

Could someone tell me what is broken on my truck and how I can fix it?

Thanks.

 

Sounds like you need to pull up the shifter boot and take a look around in there.

Nothing beats a good visual inspection!

 

I couldn't see anything under the boot except the top of the transmission. Before I dove in there I thought would see if anyone had some experience with this type of problem.

 

Wait a minute - I think RangerPilot or somebody just recently did a "How TO..." on something a lot similar to this.

MAZDA five speed, right?

I remember seeing it here just a little while ago.

HEY YOU GUYS!!!! Where was that?


BTW: The shift lever itself was solid, wasn't it? No problems there?

 

Can't say I just did a how-to recently on anything shifter related. Sorry!

But the best thing as Wolf said, pull the boot and put the shifter in neutral (on a level surface!) and remove it. Look down and see if anything looks amiss.

Be careful with the shifter, the lower part is quite sharp.

 

Sounds like a (spring/ball) detent in the shift (fork) pattern...

I can't remember which had what on those mid-aged MYs... I'd have to look around...

Edit..I coulda sworn there was a Hardstop or adjustable set-screw somewhere in the guts that helps controls the shift pattern offsets

 

Thanks guys. However, as it turns out...I am an idiot. After looking at it the 2nd time I realized the shift lever was simply loose where the bolt with 2 threaded ends goes through the lever. It was pivoting on the lever that comes out of the transmission which made it feel like there was a lot of extra movement in the horizontal direction. I tightened the crap out of it and it pulled the center part of the bolt back into the slot on the bottom of the shift lever which tightened it back up and fixed the problem.

Now I'm just wondering which thing had me more frustrated. The original problem or the fact I looked right at it and didn't notice it the first time.

Anyway, thanks again.

 

Heh... Jus' sounds like your keepin' everyone on their toes

Glad we couldn't help...


un

 

WELL said!!!