Hard to get into gear

[modular]

Just picked up a '97 Ranger 4 cyl./5 speed for a daily with 81K miles on it. At a stand still, it is hard to get it into first and second gears. Once I am going 3rd though 5th are fine. Getting into reverse at a stop is fine, also. First thing in the morning is the worst. As I drive and it warms up it gets a little better. I checked the clutch master cylinder and the fluid level is fine and fairly clean. I see no seepage around the bell housing telling me the clutch slave is leaking. The gears do not grind at all and the clutch pedal feels fine as well as when the clutch grabs...what do I need to look at more closely?? Thank you for any info you can provide.

 

[4x4junkie]

There's a number of possibilities here.

Incomplete clutch disengagement is probably most common (usually caused by air in the hydraulics), or a bad pilot bearing.

Having the wrong fluid type in the trans is another cause that seems to be on the rise.
The M5OD for that year uses "Mercon" ATF, not gear oil. Additionally there have been numerous reports lately of shifting issues occurring on these transmissions after putting "Mercon V" fluid which is said to completely replace Mercon (apparently it doesn't).

I would start with the easy stuff and try doing a fluid change using fluid meeting the straight "Mercon" spec (always good to change the fluids anyway on a "new" used vehicle purchase). If the problem doesn't clear after a couple hundred miles, then start looking for an issue with the clutch not releasing properly (at 81,000 miles the synchros should still be fine, unless that truck's got some history with youngsters behind the wheel ).

Anyway, hope that helps.

Welcome to the forum

 

[modular]

I confirmed last night that the fluid in the tranny is correct and still a nice red in color. As I removed the fill plug fluid came out so it is full. After further investigation When the truck is sitting without the parking brake applied and I go to put it in gear the truck ever so slightly creeps forward for a second then it goes into gear. I also had it up on jackstands in the rear and it pretty much did the same thing...with the clutch pedal down and putting it in gear the rear tires moved (just a little bit mind you) forward and then stopped until I let the clutch out. I am assuming this is a clutch issue? Are these tell tale signs of the slave cylinder going out or something with the clutch itself?

The lot I got it from is actually doing research on this as of yesterday to figure out what needs to be done and I sent them to this site for info so thay may even read this

 

[Kroeter]

I had the same problem with my 97 Ranger. My fluid was a little low and we bled the lines to get air out of them like 4x4 Junkie said and the clutch would then completely disengage.

Hope this helps

 

[4x4junkie]

I confirmed last night that the fluid in the tranny is correct and still a nice red in color. As I removed the fill plug fluid came out so it is full. After further investigation When the truck is sitting without the parking brake applied and I go to put it in gear the truck ever so slightly creeps forward for a second then it goes into gear. I also had it up on jackstands in the rear and it pretty much did the same thing...with the clutch pedal down and putting it in gear the rear tires moved (just a little bit mind you) forward and then stopped until I let the clutch out. I am assuming this is a clutch issue? Are these tell tale signs of the slave cylinder going out or something with the clutch itself?

The lot I got it from is actually doing research on this as of yesterday to figure out what needs to be done and I sent them to this site for info so thay may even read this

Yep, the creeping forward is a definite indicator of incomplete clutch disengagement.

Problem is air in the hydraulics. A leaking slave is generally the cause.
Be sure to flush out the master and clutch line before hooking it up to the new slave. If there's any debris in there, it'll just cause the new slave to start leaking as well.