manual tranny feels "loose"

[YT-1300]

I'm looking at buying a 2001 Edge with a 5-speed manual. 3L V-6, with 131K miles. The seller is asking $7500.

The shifting felt really loose. The stick was really easy to move around, and it felt sloppy. It shifted fine, but I had to be careful about finding the right "slot" to put the stick in as I shifted. The clutch was really easy to move as well, and felt a bit loose. I hope this describes the issue well enough for the experts to chime in and tell me if this is a serious issue.

Is this loose shifting indicative of normal wear, or something more serious?

 

[superj]

my 205k mile 04 edge with 3.0 and five speed doesn't feel like what you are describing. i wonder if there are some worn bushings that are effecting that truck? i have not had to change a clutch in a ranger so i don't know how the shifter is set up, as far as bushing or what ever.

my clutch pedal is not hard to push but doesn't feel loose. i know there is a bushing up at the pivot point of the pedal though so you can lay in the floor board and look up to see if its worn and needs replacing (if it can even be replaced). and i wonder if there is a spring on the clutch pedal too? since i have not had to ever work on those parts of a ranger, i cannot even tell you if it has a spring to pull the pedal back like vehicles did back in the 60s and 70s

 

[Shran]

There is definitely a pair of shifter bushings and they are notorious for crumbling apart. It's about a $15 fix that takes half an hour.

Change the trans fluid while you're at it, chances are that the bushing chunks fell into the trans and are now floating around in the oil.

 

[YT-1300]

Thanks. I'm assuming the Haynes Manual has instruction for doing this? Or is there another source I should use?

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Thanks. I'm assuming the Haynes Manual has instruction for doing this? Or is there another source I should use?

The Haynes manual is a start, a lot better than nothing. Chilton and Haynes are the same company now, and the Chilton's manual will probably have the same text and illustrations.

Most auto parts stores no longer carry either manual due to lack of sales and shoplifting. You might have to order online.