2002 3.0 5 speed shifts rough

[proftomda]

Hi all:

I know what your saying, it must be the operator! Just purchased 2002 3.0 extended cab, 5 speed Ranger, 75,000 miles. This truck can be tricky shifting from 2nd into third without resistance or grinding at times. No perceptable slippage from clutch however much clutch pedal movement is needed before vehical begins moving from stop. Clutch resivoir topped off. Normal? slave cylinder? clutch?

My last Ranger (1989 which I sold last month) went 492,000 miles on the original clutch and engine so I am surprised at this

Thanks for the input

 

[kwellst]

have u checked the fluid level in the transmission??

 

[fordboi415]

I'm having the same problem and its the syncros going out

 

[jcolgan_42]

I'm having the same problem and its the syncros going out

Ditto, and it's the trickiest shift, going thru the H and into 3rd. Missing it a few times and wouldn't the syncros start going out ??

 

[AllanD]

The '98-up Mazda's use assymetrically cut synchro dog teeth
and they are cut in such a way to basically "bypass" the function
of the synchro blocking ring.

I'm sorry but I've gotta tell you that it is more "operator" than mechanical.

what I suggest is that you try to be less "gentle" with it, the design favors
an "agressive" technique.

the synchro ring itse;f is less than likely to wear out as it's friction
surface isn't fine brass serrations like older conventional synchro rings,
the ID is actually a wear resistant carbon fiber composite material
that's actually kinda sticky to the steel cone it engages.

what kind of oil are you running in the trans?

the later Mazda's with the "plastic" synchro rings seem to prefer
thinner (Mercon5) oil for best shift quality.

And BTW, that's exactly how a service writer would write your complaint,
as a "shift quality complaint"

Just out of curiosity approximatly where are you located?

If you are anywhere near Pennsylvania I'll be glad to take it
around the block and offer a free opinion...

My "around the block" is a 4-mile loop that somewhat resembles Road America

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[fordboi415]

The '98-up Mazda's use assymetrically cut synchro dog teeth
and they are cut in such a way to basically "bypass" the function
of the synchro blocking ring.

I'm sorry but I've gotta tell you that it is more "operator" than mechanical.

what I suggest is that you try to be less "gentle" with it, the design favors
an "agressive" technique.

the synchro ring itse;f is less than likely to wear out as it's friction
surface isn't fine brass serrations like older conventional synchro rings,
the ID is actually a wear resistant carbon fiber composite material
that's actually kinda sticky to the steel cone it engages.

what kind of oil are you running in the trans?

the later Mazda's with the "plastic" synchro rings seem to prefer
thinner (Mercon5) oil for best shift quality.

And BTW, that's exactly how a service writer would write your complaint,
as a "shift quality complaint"

Just out of curiosity approximatly where are you located?

If you are anywhere near Pennsylvania I'll be glad to take it
around the block and offer a free opinion...

My "around the block" is a 4-mile loop that somewhat resembles Road America

AD

I disagree I've been driving stick for almost 10 years with no problems, it doesn't matter how fast or aggresive I shift from 2nd to 3rd it always catches, especially when its warm outside so I can assure you its not operator error with my trans its an internal problem with the trans itself, although I was planning on changing the fluid this weekend what's the best possible fluid for m5od-1?

 

[AllanD]

I've been driving stick for >30 years and have almost always been able
to "Drive around" shift quality problems, by varying my technique...

If I were working for a trans shop that was trying to screw you
on a warantee claim I am the guy you don't want driving your
truck (with you riding along) to verify your complaint.

I've driven a couple of real dogs and after verifying the complaint
I then proceeded to demonstrate that it was possible to drive
around the problem and get a wide eyed "How'd you do that?"
for my efforts, I don't like doing that because often they will
delay a repair and cause more wreck and ruin and generally
make it more expensive to fix.

One was a used transmission my brother simply threw into his truck
in what was more or less an emergency... the wonder wasn't why
there was difficulty getting it into second, but rather why it went
into second at all, because the second gear side of the shift fork
was worn away to the point that we could not shift it into second
at all on the bench when the trans was subsequently pulled back
out to install the 5sp trans were were originally planning to install
(but wasn't ready) when his A4LD died

My technique for getting that one into gear involved a fairly precise
"flick" of the shift lever that actually got the synchro collar to move
beyond where the shift fork was able to push it slowly...

as for oil, like I said above the transmission with the "plastic"
(they are still brass but the cone surface is that composit material)
synchro's tend to prefer thinner oil.

the friction surface itself unlike the all brass rings needs to "squeegee"
the oil off the cone on the gear and thicker oil is harder to squeeze out of the way.

I'd try mercon5

Wanna really screw with someone one who drives one of those "plastic"
synchro mazda's?
Fill it with gear oil, It will flat refuse to go into 2nd, 3rd or Reverse
most of the time, curiously those are the three gears equipped
with the "plastic" synchro rings.

BTW, it's also possible that your issue is related to the shifter bushings
a little play in the shifter added to the biomechanical difference between
PULLING the shifter into 2nd and PUSHING the shifter into 3rd
that you also have a problem with second that you just aren't
aware of...

BTW, even on the later transmissions 1st, 4th and 5th still have
conventional brass synchro rings, so they don't have the same
problem pushing thicker oil out of the way.

Please, don't be insulted, but 9/10 complaints are actually operator malfunction
and many of the actual mechanical complaints are because there are people
driving stick who should have their left foot cut off to prevent them from
ruining another manual transmission

Not saying that you are one of them but there are people who should
stick to automatics.

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[dorman68]

try snythetic fluid it helped me.