Symptom Chart - Transmission Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
NOTE: While verifying the condition, determine whether the noise is a gear roll over noise, release bearing rub or some other transmission-related noise. Gear roll over noise, inherent in manual transmissions, is caused by the constant mesh gears turning at the engine idle speed while the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in NEUTRAL. Gear roll over noise will disappear when the clutch is disengaged or when the transmission is engaged in gear. Release bearing rub is sometimes mistaken for mainshaft bearing noise. Release bearing rub will disappear when the clutch is engaged. In the event that a bearing is damaged, the noise is more pronounced while engaged in gear under load or coast than in NEUTRAL. Noisy in forward gears	Lubricant	ADD specified lubricant as necessary.
	Components grounding out on the transmission	CHECK for screws, bolts or other components grounding out. CORRECT as required.
	Component housing bolts	CHECK the torque on the transmission-to-clutch housing bolts and the clutch housing-to-engine block bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Bearings or gears	INSPECT the bearings. INSPECT the gears and gear teeth for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
Gears clash when shifting from one forward gear to another	Gear teeth and/or synchronizer	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Engine idle speed too high	REFER to the Introduction - Gasoline Engines article.
Transmission jumps out of gear	Excessive gearshift lever boot tension	INSTALL a new gearshift lever boot and knob assembly. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION EXTERNAL CONTROLS article.
	Transmission-to-engine mounting bolts	TIGHTEN the transmission-to-engine block bolts to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Internal components	INSPECT the synchronizer sleeves for free movement on their hubs. INSPECT the synchronizer blocking rings for widened index slots, rounded clutch teeth and a smooth internal surface. CHECK the countershaft cluster gear for excessive end play. CHECK the shift forks for worn or loose mounting on the shift rails. INSPECT the synchronizer sliding sleeve and the gear clutch teeth for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Gear teeth worn or damaged	INSTALL new gears. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
Transmission will not shift into one gear - all others OK	Manual shifting linkage	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION EXTERNAL CONTROLS article.
	Reversing lamp switch ball	If REVERSE is the problem, CHECK the reversing lamp switch for the ball frozen in the extended position.
	Internal components	INSPECT the shift rail and fork system, the synchronizer system and the gear clutch teeth for restricted travel. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
Transmission is locked in one gear and cannot be shifted out of that gear	Internal components	INSPECT the problem gears, the shift rails, the forks and the synchronizer for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Fork on rail	CHECK the shift rail interlock system. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
Transmission leaks	Lubricant	CHECK the fluid level and type.
	Other components leaking	IDENTIFY the leaking fluid as engine, power steering, or transmission fluid. REPAIR as required. REMOVE all traces of fluid on exposed transmission surfaces. CHECK the vent for free breathing. OPERATE the transmission and INSPECT for new leakage. REPAIR as necessary.
	Internal components	INSPECT for leaks at the input shaft bearing retainer seal and the shift rail expansion plug. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article. INSPECT for leaks at the transaxle case-to-clutch housing seam. INSPECT the case for sand holes or cracks. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Fill and drain plugs	CHECK the fill plug, the drain plug and the bore threads. REPAIR as necessary. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Transmission case bolt	CHECK for loose or missing bolts. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Halfshaft oil seals	CHECK for cracked, loose or damaged RH intermediate shaft oil seal or LH halfshaft oil seal. REPLACE as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
Bearing failure	Other part failure Raceways or rollers Lubricant	REMOVE, DISASSEMBLE and CLEAN the transmission, then INSTALL new parts if damaged. (It is necessary to RESET the bearing preload if any tapered bearings are replaced.) REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
	Vibration break-up of retainer and brinelling of races Bearing(s) Shafts or bore Overloading of vehicle Incorrect preload	DETERMINE and CORRECT the cause of the vibration. Otherwise, PROCEED as above.
	Input shaft oil dam	INSTALL new components and verify correct oil dam installation. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article. CHECK for correct installation of the snap ring on the mainshaft next to the oil dam.
	Oil baffle in the input bearing shim pack	INSTALL new components. MAKE SURE the oil baffle is not damaged during reassembly. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.