Mustang-owner
Donor
Hello all,
Sorry for the long post.
On Thursday evening I had a gearbox/clutch problem.
As I pulled into my parking space at work and dipped the clutch I realised I couldn’t take the car out of gear. The gear lever wasn’t just stiff, it felt still partially engaged. I was in second gear, and with my foot off the break and the clutch fully depressed I could feel the car wanting to move forward. I turned off the engine and managed to force the gear lever into neutral. However it was almost impossible to select any gear.
I have not noticed any issue with the gearbox/clutch before this (i.e. pedal travel seems normal, no clutch slip even in 5th at 35mph and foot hard on the gas, gear-changes smooth with no synchromesh gind ever).
I had just completed a 1.5 hrs, 58 mile journey.
I let the car cool down and checked gear selection again, but just the same. I removed the bonnet and, with a colleague sitting in the car trying to select every gear, I checked all linkage’s in case something had got caught. All components were free to move with no obstruction. The master cylinder had the correct level of fluid.
The car was parked in a way where it was protected from the wind, outside temperature according to the car was zero.
Anyway, by 07:00 Friday am there was no change. Starting the car, dipping the clutch pedal and trying to select 1st gear I could feel movement at the front wheels. It appeared the clutch was not able to engage/disengage fully with the pedal fully depressed.
I decided to turn the engine off, select 1st gear, start the car and try to change gear by driving as though it was a “crash-box”, i.e. double declutch on the way up and rev the engine to match gearbox revs on the way down. This was reasonably successful, so I decided to make my way home.
The route I chose put another 15 miles on the journey, but meant I was predominantly driving on dual carriageways or trunk roads, with only one built-up area to drive through. There was no difference to the gear change as I entered the built up area. I drove around the ring road in 3rd, and as I was leaving, and entering a dual carriageway I noticed it was easier to select the next gear. I was about half way home.
Over the next 10 miles or so the gear-changes were becoming easier, and by the time I got home everything was back to normal.
Yesterday afternoon I started my car and tried to select a gear but the problem had returned.
Today I have checked the gearbox oil level and it was ok (it took about 1/4 litre).
Again, when taking it for a short drive there is no clutch slip, even in 5th at 35 mph and accelerating.
I'm currently on 111462 miles.
Has anyone any ideas what to check next or what the issue could be.
Thanks
Jeff
Sorry for the long post.
On Thursday evening I had a gearbox/clutch problem.
As I pulled into my parking space at work and dipped the clutch I realised I couldn’t take the car out of gear. The gear lever wasn’t just stiff, it felt still partially engaged. I was in second gear, and with my foot off the break and the clutch fully depressed I could feel the car wanting to move forward. I turned off the engine and managed to force the gear lever into neutral. However it was almost impossible to select any gear.
I have not noticed any issue with the gearbox/clutch before this (i.e. pedal travel seems normal, no clutch slip even in 5th at 35mph and foot hard on the gas, gear-changes smooth with no synchromesh gind ever).
I had just completed a 1.5 hrs, 58 mile journey.
I let the car cool down and checked gear selection again, but just the same. I removed the bonnet and, with a colleague sitting in the car trying to select every gear, I checked all linkage’s in case something had got caught. All components were free to move with no obstruction. The master cylinder had the correct level of fluid.
The car was parked in a way where it was protected from the wind, outside temperature according to the car was zero.
Anyway, by 07:00 Friday am there was no change. Starting the car, dipping the clutch pedal and trying to select 1st gear I could feel movement at the front wheels. It appeared the clutch was not able to engage/disengage fully with the pedal fully depressed.
I decided to turn the engine off, select 1st gear, start the car and try to change gear by driving as though it was a “crash-box”, i.e. double declutch on the way up and rev the engine to match gearbox revs on the way down. This was reasonably successful, so I decided to make my way home.
The route I chose put another 15 miles on the journey, but meant I was predominantly driving on dual carriageways or trunk roads, with only one built-up area to drive through. There was no difference to the gear change as I entered the built up area. I drove around the ring road in 3rd, and as I was leaving, and entering a dual carriageway I noticed it was easier to select the next gear. I was about half way home.
Over the next 10 miles or so the gear-changes were becoming easier, and by the time I got home everything was back to normal.
Yesterday afternoon I started my car and tried to select a gear but the problem had returned.
Today I have checked the gearbox oil level and it was ok (it took about 1/4 litre).
Again, when taking it for a short drive there is no clutch slip, even in 5th at 35 mph and accelerating.
I'm currently on 111462 miles.
Has anyone any ideas what to check next or what the issue could be.
Thanks
Jeff