Grinds into 4th clutch still disengaged

[cavity.]

Hi everyone, first post here, new to rangers.

I have a 1997 Ranger 2.3. It's a manual 2WD. I am having issues with shifting into 4th gear. With the clutch still in/disengaged I get a loud grind/screech when shifting into 4th. The car shifts smoothly into 4th when i let out the clutch. The grind only occurs once I push the shifter into 4th, clutch in. Happens every time. Anyone experience this?

 

[Mark_88]

Not on a single gear I don't. Mine used to grind in every gear when the floor panel and master went separate ways...but that was because the clutch wasn't actually engaging...sounds more like you have an issue with the 4th gear specifically...may require some work.

Have you checked the fluid level by any chance? That, and actually changing the fluid, are about the only thing you can do about these problems short of making internal repairs or adjustments...

And it may actually help if you are down on fluid...although I doubt it would affect only one gear.

Others may have some input so give it a bit of time and let them chip in before yanking the transmission...

 

[RonD]

4th gear isn't really a "gear" on a 5 speed, 1 to 1 ratio in manual transmissions means input shaft is meshed to output shaft directly, so no "gear" is needed.

Input gear drives counter shaft, it often goes out on manuals and the only "gear" you have left is the 1 to 1 ratio, 4th in this case

But just the opposite in your case, I would say the synchro is gone for 4th.
Synchros are softer metal and pre-spin the selected "gear" to match output shaft spin, allowing a smoother engagement, no grinding.

Now you could have an input shaft issue, either shaft bearing or pilot bearing is causing a wobble in the shaft, which would only occur when clutch pedal was in, but long shot on that.

If you mean you shift into 4th while driving without using the clutch and it doesn't grind then still could be synchro and you are just good at RPM matching