I am losing my mind. Transmission problem?

[Allyzabethe]

Short version. I have a 2001 Ford Ranger, 6 cylinder, manual transmission. On Monday, I had the clutch and slave cylinder replaced. On Wednesday, I had the master cylinder replaced.

I can't shift into first or reverse while the engine is on. I can get into the other gears with some difficulty. If I start the truck while in first, it's fine. If I start it in reverse, it jerks and bucks which makes it really entertaining to get out of the driveway. It also stalls out in reverse and doesn't want to start.

Longer version. Five weeks ago, the truck would not shift at all while the engine was running. Had it towed to one mechanic. All the clutch fluid was gone, indicating a leak somewhere. They couldn't find the leak, so they filled the reservoir and sent me on my way. Two weeks after that, the truck started acting up again. Out of fluid again. Filled it up, tried to keep going.
Over the weekend, again couldn't shift with the engine running. I would turn the engine off, shift into whatever gear I needed, start it up again. Fine at traffic lights, not so much fun while shifting between 2 and 3. But this time, the clutch pedal went all the way to the floor and I couldn't pull it out of gear.

So Monday it was towed to the mechanic who said I needed a new clutch and slave cylinder. Got it back Tuesday. It was still very hard to shift, I had to force it into gear. Wednesday morning, same problem. Wouldn't shift while engine was running. Had it towed back. This time it was the master cylinder and a broken line, which is where the original leak had been and it had been allowing air into the line.
Wednesday night, picked it up. Still very hard to shift between first and second, easier between third and fourth. Getting quite a workout on the bicep of one arm.
Thursday (today) same problem, not as severe. Jerked backwards in reverse out of the driveway, stopped the engine, put it into first, drove off. Could not miss any more work for this.

So here's the question. What the heck is wrong? If it were the transmission, would that not have been noticed during one of the two times they had it? Do these symptoms sound like a transmission problem? Is it a new clutch thing, that like shoes, it needs to be broken in? I would have thought that with a new clutch, it would shift like butter. More like rock candy.

There's no grinding, just the feeling that I'm cramming it into gear. It is also difficult to get it out of gear. Now, when the engine is off, I can get it in and out of gear without forcing.

I just want to be better informed when I take it in again. I don't feel like these guys are ripping me off. The second fix was at cost because he said they should have caught it before. I have lost time at work, burdened my coworkers to pick me up, drop me off for this.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[therieldeal]

have you tried changing the trans fluid, or even checking it? low fluid can cause hard shifting.

 

[MAKG]

So can WRONG fluid. If these guys were so incompetent as to replace the clutch and slave when the LINE was leaking externally, I wouldn't put it past them putting gear oil in the transmission. Yours takes ATF.

I'd climb under the truck with a paper towel and crescent wrench and remove the fill (NOT the drain!) plug and see what color the fluid is. A small amount should drip out when the fill plug is removed; if it doesn't, stick your finger in the hole. If you don't find it that way, the transmission is quite low. It should be bright red in color. Yellow/tan and stinky, or battleship gray, is a problem.

You don't HAVE to drain the transmission to remove it in that model year, but it makes it easier to handle.

I'd also verify that the pilot bearing has been changed. If it hasn't, they should change it for less than $20. The labor should have ALL been part of the clutch job; additional labor for changing the pilot bearing is literally a few minutes.

 

[Allyzabethe]

So I should check the transmission fluid, not the clutch fluid. They said they bled the line, for three hours and I saw the fluid in the one reservoir. But I didn't check the transmission.

I just talked to them and they want to bleed the lines overnight. Before I take it in, I'll check the transmission fluid, maybe have them change that out as well.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Zachalanche]

I know those clutches can be a pain to bleed sometimes, but an overnight bleed sounds a bit ridiculous to me. If it is going to take something like that there's other problems present...just a thought.

 

[fixizin]

Your repair shop is either completely incompetent (UNlikely), or they are exploiting a female truck owner for maximum $$$ (sadly, all too likely). This vehicle has a very common and straightforward clutch and tranny, NOTHING "exotic" about it. Accept NO excuses. It should shift smoothly, showroom new (NO, it's NOT like shoes, lol).

(Send MAKG a PM telling him your bills $$ amount, and he'll tell you if getting ripped off... hope at least you actually got the parts you didn't even need... )

PS: How is it you're driving away from the shop with these problems? Make the hosers take you for a test drive BEFORE paying the bill!! (Don't wear nice jewelry to this shop :wink: )

PPS: How many miles on your truck? Are you the original owner?