Any Idea WHAT The Problem MIGHT Be?

[RhainyC]

'91 Ranger 4WD 4.0L
As far as I can tell, this is the trans according to the ID list from the tech section:

Mazda M50D-R1
Trans Code "M"
1991-2000 4.0L Ranger
5-Speed

Problem: While driving down the freeway, eased off the gas and applying the brakes to begin exiting, went to pull the shifter out of 5th, and it refused to come out of gear.

I tried to get it out myself, but she was NOT budging. I had noticed for a week or two before the shifter linkage seemed sloppy and difficult to get into gear, but had to wait for funds...then it broke before I was able to get it checked.

Fast forward to after it was towed to my mechanic. He managed to get it out of gear, and got it up on the rack, thinking it was going to be something simple that he could fix (He doesn't do Major work anymore due to age and health issues). He couldn't find anything externally that would cause it to be a problem, and chalked it up to a fluke glitch.

He got it down off the rack, and drove it around for a little bit and it was fine, except for the sloppiness and difficulty going into gears. Then as he was nearly back to his shop...damn thing jammed up again.

I am disabled, and need my truck, I can't afford a lot, but I am going to be calling the shops around to try to figure out what to do....

Does anybody have any idea what the hell might be going on with this transmission? I originally thought it was just the linkage, but he said that was fine...

So Any Ideas???

Thanks in advance...

 

[tempforce]

the bushings on the shift forks are worn letting the sycros to move about, possibly going to far and locking past the indent. the only way to get the shifter back is getting the syncro rings and gears alined from the reverse side. b4 the shifter can be moved back into position. ask me how i know about this issue…
the shifting forks can be brazed and filed to factory size or the forks need to be replaced to get rid of the slop… good time the check the syncros and bearings while it's apart..

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, sounds like bad bushings is at least a good place to start.

 

[RhainyC]

Awesome, thanks for a place to start guys...I so need my truck! My kid brother is going to be working on it, hopefully...if not a shop is gonna cost me a bundle! *Sighs*