Not a big deal if it is, cuz I've had a spare tranny in the back of the truck for about three months now. Right before Easter, the truck started to pop out of first gear. No biggie, just had to remember to hold it in first. Two days later it started doing it in third as well. I've been figuring on doing a clutch and tranny job in this truck for a long time, so I have a tranny, but I don't have time to do it until after school's out. Is this definitely the tranny being shot, or is there something in the shifter that it could be as well? A quick search said something about the shifter cup being worn, which is why I ask.

Anyone else had this happen?

I'm driving the Mustang daily for now, hoping it doesn't snow.

 

probably just need a new shift bushing, not expensive or time consuming from what others have said. do a quick search and you should find all you need to know.

lee

 

You might need new syncros.

 

i second this gesture, altho changing the shift burshing would be a cheap step in solving your problem, then again you did say you have a spare tranny, just swap em out

 

www.marlincrawler.com has an excellent shifter bushing, much more long-lasting than the OEM. Change that first, then see how your tranny works. This fixes 90% of all manual transmission shifting problems.

 

My truck had the same problem when I bought it. I changed the shifter bushing and it tightened up the slop but it still popped out of gear. Then I bought a bearing and syncro kit and rebuilt the tranny. Its not all that difficult. But you will need a press, bearing seperater, and a two jaw puller.

I paid only $220 for the rebuild kit. Salvage yards around here wanted $500.

 

mine was a bent shift fork allowing it to pop out of gear

 

look into a new shift bushing first..quick and cheap

 

Okay, I'll look into the shifter bushing. I assume that's the little cup thing that goes on the tranny end of the shifter?

Assuming I do end up doing a clutch job (which I had intended to do anyway, eventually), should I go with one of Marlin's street clutches? I just priced out a stocker from Toyota and it would end up being $60 more than the Marlin, so barring any negative comments about it, I'm going to order the 1200lb clutch kit from MC.

 

i have heard only the best about Marlin clutches so I'd say go for it

 

I know someone who had this problem. The shifter boot was installed incorrectly (not screwed down properly) and it was causing this. It was a really easy fix.

 

I just wanna say that I installed the Marlin shifter bushing (and socket) last weekend, and it was the best $20 I ever spent on a vehicle. Plus, they sent me some cool Turtle Stickers.

It made a huge difference in the shifter feel and gear engagement.


I think your tranny is toast, though.

 

I was lookin' at the online fsm, in the clutch troubleshooting section it lists only a worn clutch pilot bearing, as a cause for the transmission jumping out of gear. Read for yourselves.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../1troubles.pdf

 

the fsm doesent mention anything about the bushing, but trust me they dont last.

 

If all of the above things dont work it s probably the tranny. Mine did the same thing and I tried mutiple things to resolve it without success. I finally decided a rebuilt tranny was in store. I see you live in Denver. I bought my rebuilt from Steves Transmission on Santa fe just South of Evans on the west side. Got it for $600 and it ran great. Steve was alot of help and also a great guy.
Just my 2 cents
JMach1

 

If it's not grinding, then it's not the syncros. If it is grinding, you might try using some different gear oil ....GL-4, as opposed to GL-5....first. Mine was not popping out of gear, but is was grinding from 3rd to 2nd and sometimes going into reverse. I was quick to fault the syncros, but (after replacing the shifter seat bushing and new clutch...needed anyway) I switch to MT-90 and I have a right swanky ride now. Butter smooth.

 

There's massive bearing noise in all gears anyway, which is why I have the spare tranny. It came out of an '85 Runner with 140K on it, and supposedly ran great when the guy pulled it, so I'm not that worried.

 

Oh, then start with the bushing, I guess.

 

my 89 3.0L has been popping out of first (and only first) since I got the truck ('04). I was told it was probably the syncros but I never get grinding between shifts.

I replaced the shifter boot as mentioned above. Although much tighter shifter lever and smoother shifts, she still pops out.

Ive noticed it will pop out more frequently when I accelerate and then take my foot off of gas abruptly, or if i am going over bumps (wheeling). However, occaisonally it will SLAM out of first WHILE accelerating on smooth asphalt.

I have just learnt to deal with it and hold er in first...

 

Bent shifter fork?