New Clutch will barely shift into 2nd and 4th

[arusho]

2000 Ranger XLT 4x4, 5speed man.
This Ranger has about 300,000 miles (odo was jammed at 76,000 and title shows "exempt" but it's been through hell as a farm truck)

I thought the clutch was bad because it already shifted poorly (very hard to go into first most of the time) and was "clunky" going into 2nd.
Now with the new clutch, it barely goes into any gear.

-Concentric Slave cylinder is new
-Master cylinder is NOT new
-Vacuum bled from above
-Removed master cylinder and "tilted" it to get the air bubbles out
-Bled from master cylinder as well with the standard "3 pumps and hold"
-Clutch pedal feels good now (not mushy like before), but struggles to get into gear.

Now it leads me to believe the tranny is in poor shape.
Any ideas? Or just keep bleeding the clutch?

 

[franklin2]

Can you hear the transmission turning when idling the truck and in neutral? You can hear mine, it has a rough bearing in the countershaft.

If you can hear it, then push in on the clutch and listen. Does the transmission coast to a stop? Or does it still keep turning and turning? If it keeps turning the synchronizers in the transmission are trying to stop the front of the transmission from turning. The back half of the transmission is not turning because the truck is not moving. If the clutch is not releasing completely, the synchronizers try to stop the transmission so it will go into gear.

 

[Uncle Gump]

These transmissions use ATF for lube not gear oil.

Wouldn't be the first time I've heard of shifting problems caused by improper lube in the transmission.

Sometimes on the "farm" whatever is on hand gets used..

 

[sgtsandman]

I'm with Uncle Gump. Check the fluid. I've had aftermarket ATF that is supposed to be compatible with Mercon V that was very difficult to shift with after using it for a little while. I think about 15,000 miles. Mercon V should get you about 30,000+ before the fluid wears out and starts giving you shifting issues.

Being a farm truck, it is very possible they put in whatever ATF they had on hand. This is assuming they even looked at what fluid is proper. They could have put gear oil in the thing since that is what older and heavier transmissions use.

 

[arusho]

Thanks for the info. I drained the tranny and the oil looked good (ATF).
I missed one crucial step when doing the clutch: replacing the pilot bearing. It appears that a bad pilot bearing makes it hard to shift...I am taking the tranny out for the 3rd time in 3 weeks. I am getting good at it now!

 

[arusho]

Can you hear the transmission turning when idling the truck and in neutral? You can hear mine, it has a rough bearing in the countershaft.

If you can hear it, then push in on the clutch and listen. Does the transmission coast to a stop? Or does it still keep turning and turning? If it keeps turning the synchronizers in the transmission are trying to stop the front of the transmission from turning. The back half of the transmission is not turning because the truck is not moving. If the clutch is not releasing completely, the synchronizers try to stop the transmission so it will go into gear.

I can hear metal whirring sound when idling, yes. Not sure about the other symptom.