95 2.3 w/5 spd. manual - Difficulty engaging gears

[McCormack090305]

I have been having this problem for a while now. It is especially hard from first to second, but it is hard to engage most gear shifts. Also, when slowing down, it is incredibly hard to get first to engage, I really have to give it hell to get it into gear.

At my last oil change, I had them check the fluid, and they ended up adding a half quart, but it didn't seem to help at all.

I don't know a whole lot about them or how they work, just wondering if there's anything to check or adjust.

 

[Rose2300]

shifting into first when slowing down is supposed to be hard... I can't remember why though i just remember reading it somewhere, maybe someone else can chime in haha. anyways with all rangers I've driven every one is hard to shift (compared to other cars)

 

[McCormack090305]

I kind of figured there would have to be something to keep you from shifting into first at like 65mph or something, but I'm talking about decelerating, less than 10 mph and trying to shift into first coming to a stop sign. I can hear and feel it "spooling up" for lack of a better way to describe it, and sometimes, it feels like there are two really positive spots just pushing it into 1 gear. Like, if I'm pushing really hard to get it into first, it'll shift halfway into first and stop, and if I keep pushing harder, it'll shift the rest of the way.

The real stinker is from first to second though. Sometimes, if I double clutch, it seems a little easier, but it's almost always super hard. By double clutch, I mean push the pedal in, disengage first gear, release the pedal, push the pedal in again, and engage second, just to clear up any confusion...