Manual trans rough shift, 99 B2500

[geofffer]

I own this Mazda Ranger. Do these typically have a clunky shift? Trans seems to be fine, once you are in gear. Trans fluid changed a month ago, it was old & black, no surprises drained out with it. Not a problem, just curious.

 

[Blmpkn]

I own this Mazda Ranger. Do these typically have a clunky shift? Trans seems to be fine, once you are in gear. Trans fluid changed a month ago, it was old & black, no surprises drained out with it. Not a problem, just curious.

If you used gear oil instead of atf/synchromesh, that would explain the clunky shifting.

 

[Colin]

It's also a 25 year economy truck

 

[geofffer]

If you used gear oil instead of atf/synchromesh, that would explain the clunky shifting.

Thanks. I've got the Haines manual. Used ATF. Sometimes it's a very normal shift, other times you have to let it coast a bit or it won't shift no matter what. Clutch fluid was a little low, that's been topped off.

 

[geofffer]

It's also a 25 year economy truck

That was part of my thought. I remember driving a '72 Datsun pickup many years ago as a work truck. That thing had the absolutely sloppiest shifter ever. Kind of point, shove, feel for some sensation you hit a gear somewhere and let out the clutch. Amazed me that it worked, every time.

 

[Blmpkn]

Does it like going into gear from a stop easily? Or does it sometimes need a couple pumps on the clutch to smoothly engage? Mabey there's a leak somewhere.. pretty common with rangers.

 

[geofffer]

Does it like going into gear from a stop easily? Or does it sometimes need a couple pumps on the clutch to smoothly engage? Mabey there's a leak somewhere.. pretty common with rangers.

It can hang up moving or stopped. I don't see a sign of a leak, doesn't mean that's not the case. Usually I can bump other gears, or bump the gear I want, to make it "let me in". Very occasionally it just locks me out until the wheels have rolled a little. I can speed shift without the clutch once it's moving so I suspect the transmission and clutch are more or less O.K..