Trouble getting into 1st and grinding

[Daedalus]

I have a 92 XLT with a 2.3 and 5 speed at 127k. Edit: its a 4x2 Not sure which transmission it has so if you guys could tell me that would be awesome.

I have trouble getting into first intermittently. It seems to happen most often when the engine and tranny are cold, though it happens while warm as well. It happens equally often when im going into first when i first start the truck or when I'm downshifting to first after coming to a stop at a light or stop sign. I'll go to put it into first and something is stopping the stick from moving as far as it needs to in order to engage 1st gear. This is with the clutch pushed as far to the floor as I can get it. I'll go to put it in first and, meeting resistance I'll back off the stick and repeatedly push it up towards 1st until something finally gives and lets me engage 1st. When this happens I also notice as I shift from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd some vibration and resistance in the stick (plus nasty sound) as if maybe the clutch isn't "pulling out" far enough and the gears are grinding slightly as it engages.

I also checked the master clutch cylinder and it looked just a hair so I added some and it didn't help.

Any ideas?

 

[fordbrian333]

its got the m5od-r1. try bleeding the clutch first, if not it could be your slave cylinder

 

[Moreflying]

I had the same problem for some time. I finally had some free time and pulled my tranny and replaced the slave cylinder and put a new clutch in. Put a good bleed on the system. It shifts like the day I rolled it off the lot when it was brand new.