Hard to get into gear

[paullywalnuts]

I have a 97 4.0 with manual transmission. I'm having an issue, It is sometimes very hard to get the shifter to engage. This is only sporadicly occuring. If the engine is off I have no problem putting it in 1st or reverse. It DOESN'T slip. and when I'm rolling shifting isn't an issue. What is wrong? Again, this doesn't happen all the time maybe 2 or 3 times a week. The rest of the time it works OK.
ANY HELP APPRECIATED!!

 

[407Link]

thats how mine started.. syncros!

 

[Colin]

Mine was the slave cylinder.

 

[Jason_J]

Any grinding?

 

[swamprat]

syncros or the shifter forks are getting worn

 

[PORTnPOLISH]

#1- Check and or change fluid
#2- Inspect your clutch engagement all the way from the clutch pedal to the fork in the trans, If something is bent or not adjusted properly and your getting slutch drag you will have the issue you are speaking of. A quick way to test is to come to a stop on flat smooth ground and put the truck in 1st gear. Push clutch to floor and rev the engine. If the truck is creeping forward while you are revving then you likely have the issue I stated above.

 

[paullywalnuts]

Any grinding?

No Grinding.

If I need to replace synchros, slave, or shifter forks. How much am I looking at for parts, and time to replace?
This is my DD, and an't quiet get the bike out yet.

 

[407Link]

check the tranny fluid and see if there metal on the plug

 

[paullywalnuts]

#1- Check and or change fluid
#2- Inspect your clutch engagement all the way from the clutch pedal to the fork in the trans, If something is bent or not adjusted properly and your getting slutch drag you will have the issue you are speaking of. A quick way to test is to come to a stop on flat smooth ground and put the truck in 1st gear. Push clutch to floor and rev the engine. If the truck is creeping forward while you are revving then you likely have the issue I stated above.

I haven't changed the fluid yet, but as far as #2, I did what you said. It didn't creep at all.

This thing is startin to nickle n dime me big time. It's my daily driver, and may be forced to trade it in on another truck.

 

[fordbrian333]

does it do it mainly in say 1st and 2nd gear? probably after youve driven it for a while (stop and go mostly)? and it just wont go into first when say stopped at a light? that what mine does and its the slave cylinder, those slave cylinders have a tendensy to go, plus when its driven for a while the hydraulic fluid gets hot, i personally just deal with it because im swapping my motor and trans anyway, if its your slave cylinder it wont be too expensive if you do it your self, syncros or shift forks are going to cost you