That's what I'm hearing about synchros and I don't have any problem getting into any gear. 5th goes in gear fine. The problem comes when applying gas... The bearing issue seems a possibility as in the link you provided. Funny thing was the guy/shop that talked about this "upper plate" being a fairly simple repair asked if it was only popping out when applying gas and said 95% it's due to this upper plate.... sticks in gear fine if just rolling or decelerating.... or even if just slight acceleration.... push down hard on accelerator and a couple seconds later "POP!!!".... wondering if anyone can confirm that? haven't read anything in these forums about it... was moving towards the bearing idea... if it's costly, I probably will just leave things be and use the ball separator fork.... or stick with more costly gas charge running in 4th
while it's probably not the best idea, I do use 5th gear most of the time on the highway... this 3.0 is a dawg and acceleration absolutely sux on the highway with the slightest of hills... even 4th isn't that great... my guess is, using 5th all the time since getting the truck at 27k miles almost 20yrs. ago has worn something? plus maybe another bad thing I've done is popping the gear out occasionally being lazy without the clutch when getting off the hwy... well, now it pops out just fine... all the time! lol
and no, carpet or boot not keeping it from engaging... it goes in just like normal... just pops because of something worn it seems.... I think I had an issue like this once in a toyota pickup and I was able to take the top plate off of the transmission and replace a little plastic ball for minimal charge that was worn out.... was causing alot of sloppiness with the stick shift as well that cleared up after that fix.... this Ford seems to be real sloppy in 5th too and really hoping it's a simple fix...