Danno1985
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2018
- Messages
- 176
- Reaction score
- 105
- Points
- 43
- Location
- MKE, WI
- Vehicle Year
- 2011
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
- Total Lift
- stock
- Total Drop
- stock
- Tire Size
- stock
I've owned my Ranger since November and since then have developed sort of a love-hate relationship with the transmission. This thing only has just over 80k, but the shifter feels incredibly sloppy compared to my buddy's '03 which has twice as many miles and has a positive feel going into each gear (on mine it feels like I have to search for the gate). Replaced the bushings in the shifter with the Dorman kit, but honestly none of the factory bushings or springs looked worn. I've sort of given up on any expectations of getting a better shift feel, but if anyone has any suggestions, they'd be appreciated.
Since picking up the truck I've noticed a couple quirks with the way the truck actually shifts. Occasionally it will be hard to get into 1st gear from a stop, and once in a blue moon, 3rd as well. Recently I noticed it was getting really annoying to the point where there were a couple occasions when I held up traffic because it wouldn't go into 1st at a green light. I figured I'd change the fluid just to see if it made any difference whatsoever, and maybe get a clue as to what was going on. The fluid came out looking like chocolate milk! My first hunch was that maybe it was contaminated by water. Needless to say, fresh Maxlife ATF has helped the shifting noticeably, but I'm concerned about the appearance of the fluid. I've only owned the truck for the last 5k. What's going on here?
Since picking up the truck I've noticed a couple quirks with the way the truck actually shifts. Occasionally it will be hard to get into 1st gear from a stop, and once in a blue moon, 3rd as well. Recently I noticed it was getting really annoying to the point where there were a couple occasions when I held up traffic because it wouldn't go into 1st at a green light. I figured I'd change the fluid just to see if it made any difference whatsoever, and maybe get a clue as to what was going on. The fluid came out looking like chocolate milk! My first hunch was that maybe it was contaminated by water. Needless to say, fresh Maxlife ATF has helped the shifting noticeably, but I'm concerned about the appearance of the fluid. I've only owned the truck for the last 5k. What's going on here?
- Clutch reservoir is full. The clutch pedal feels ok, but sometimes it seems like it's sluggish to engage/disengage. I'm starting to suspect slave cylinder issues as the cause of the stubborn gears.
- We've had an incredibly wet late-winter, but the odds of water getting into the transmission from the outside are incredibly low, right? If anything, the flow would be out, not in, yes?
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