Experts help me troubleshoot

[kozanbmw]

I just picked up a 89 ford ranger manual tranny. Before I purchased it got new tires, alternator, starter and battery. Since i got it I did oil change, fixed a leaky differential and changed out the tranny fluid. It was the tranny with the square bolted on plate so i assume its the FM146 tranny. When I emptied fluid it had ATF in it, although this tranny is supposed to get a gear oil. I switched it out and it ran fine, but then it went back to how it used to be.

THe symtpoms are as follows. When the engine is off I can shift in to any gear perfectly, when I turn it on and its cold it is extremely hard to get in to gear. If i do manage to get it in to gear, and I release the brake while keeping the clutch down the vehicle will start moving forward as if it was very partially engaged. It does seem once it gets warmer its easier to shift. It makes a loud clunk sound when it shifts as well, that does not sound healthy. I sold my 05 pontiac and was planning to just drive this vehicle, but now I cant drive it for fear of causing mroe damage.

DOes anyone have any suggestions to help me solve my problem?

[MAKG]

Look for leaks in the clutch hydraulics.

If there aren't any, replace the clutch pilot bearing (and the clutch).

[gw33gp]

Yes, it sounds like the clutch is not disengaging all the way or a bad pilot bearing. Another cause of that is the master cylinder. It can leak internally and you will not see any hydraulic fluid on the outside.

You could also have air have air in the clutch hydraulics. A good bleeding can resolve that. If air is in the master cylinder, it is more difficult to get the air out.

[MAKG]

If there is air in the hydraulics, that confirms a leak, unless the hydraulics have been opened recently.

Bleeding is not a repair. It's part of a repair.

[Jspafford]

It could also be the slave cylinder.

[Ranger44]

Yes the slave is a very possible problem. Mine blew a seal and quit working properly making it hard to get it into gear.

[kozanbmw]

Update, this may help troubleshoot. I turned it off today, and it made a loud clunk and now it is stuck in gear, the tranny feels like it is in nuetral, and its impossible to get into first or third. However, when I start the truck, it moves forward and if I step on the gas it moves as if it were locked in first gear. If i stop moving it will stall. So it seems to be that it is locked in first geat and will not shift out. I am thinkin I might just buy a new tranny unless you guys know what it might be after this little bit of info. Any tips this is really frustrating. I dont wanna throw money at a bunch of different things until I have a more clear idea.

[MAKG]

So the transmission feels like it's in neutral, but it isn't?

Either you have multiple problems (floppy stick plus hosed clutch), or your transmission just puked.

Either way it's coming out. Take the top cover off and look at its condition. Be prepared for the worst.

[kozanbmw]

Im going to take thr tranny out tonight, if it doesnt rain, but from what I can tell I think the clutch might be shot. IF the tranny doesnt have chunks of metal it shoudl be fine, but being unable to shift into any gear in nuetral does concern me, but if the clutch wont release it would kinda make sense I guess. ANy good brands or types of clutchs to order for this vehicle?

[kozanbmw]

Well just replaced clutch, then realized the tranny is shot, so replaced that, now I am having trouble bleeding it, the clutch pedal is super lose and i think there is alot of air in the system. Also I noticed my slave wiggled, does it need to be tightened or is that just how it is??? i will also post a new thread with a proper title to this problem after i search around for some answers.

[Ranger44]

One suggestion is to replace the 2.9 clutch with the 4.0 one.

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/May06/40_clutch_swap.htm

I'd also say just replace anything on the hydraulic system that looks badly worn or appears to be leaking. Give it a good bleeding.

Other than this my only other suggestion is to swap to a 4.0's M501 tranny. This will take care of a lot of problems.:)

[kozanbmw]

If the slave is loose does that mean it would be leaking air? Or does it just fit loose?

[MAKG]

On a 2.9L? It just fits loose.

It's always in contact with the pressure plate, so it will stay put.

[kozanbmw]

Ok that answers that question, I just tried a gravity bleed and it went thru alot of fluid but didnt work, this is angering me, it start up and when i try to switch gears it doesnt go in, but i can feel the car trys to inch forward slowly. Is there any way to check if its the master without replacing it?

[methmonster420]

just junk that piece of sh*t and quit fluckin around with it go to the junkyard and get a used one

[Sunk]

Its common to have issues bleeding the clutch. It may still have air in the lines. If this is the case, you need to unbolt the master from the firewall and set in on its side or upside down. This lets the trapped air escape. I did with 2 people, 1 pushing the plunger on the master up and down as if pumping the pedal, he was also gently tapping it to free any air. The other person does the typical bleeding procedure opening and closing the nipple. Good luck.

[kozanbmw]

I had a mechanic friend from BMW stop by and we got it working, but then after a few more attempts it gradually stops working, so we figure there is a air leak and we pinpointed it to the master, cuz there is a newer slave from the wrecker yard. Il try that and see if it works, thanks for all the help guys il check back in if that doesnt work.

[kozanbmw]

Ok, so i replaced the master cylinder as the clutch would not hold for more than 1 min without being unable to shift again. Now I when i am idle its fine and I can switch gears ok, but when i start driving as I drive the pedal becomes squishier and squishier until it start having problems again. If I pull over and give a few pumps the pedal comes back to life and works fine. WTH? Any suggestions? Ive replaced everything but hose and slave, but slave was from the tranny at wrecker yard. I dont think there was a hose attached to it though, so that may cause a problem.

[Jspafford]

Just buy a new slave cylinder. Your probably wishing you did that to begin with because now the tranny has to come out again.

[kozanbmw]

The weird thing is after i turn off the truck, and pump the pedal it comes back again, and start working, its just once it starts driving that this happens.... seems really strange.