Symptom Chart - Transaxle Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART - TRANSAXLE OPERATION

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Noisy in forward gears - 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	Low manual transmission fluid	ADD specified manual transmission fluid as necessary.
	Components grounding out on the transaxle	CHECK for screws, bolts or other components grounding out. CORRECT as required.
	Component housing bolts	CHECK the torque on the transaxle-to-clutch housing bolts and the clutch housing-to-engine block bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
	Bearings or gears	INSPECT the bearings. INSPECT the gears and gear teeth for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to GENERAL PROCEDURES .
Gears clash when shifting from one forward gear to another	Clutch not fully releasing	INSPECT clutch release mechanism for correct operation. CHECK that the clutch is fully releasing. CHECK the clutch pedal freeplay. REFER to CLUTCH PEDAL FREEPLAY ADJUSTMENT .
	Gear teeth and/or synchronizer	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL .
	Engine idle speed too high	REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
Transaxle jumps out of gear	Excessive gearshift lever boot tension	INSTALL a new gearshift lever boot and knob assembly. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Transaxle-to-engine mounting bolts	TIGHTEN the transaxle-to-engine block bolts to specification. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS .
	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, damaged or missing	INSTALL new gears. REFER to REMOVAL .
Transaxle will not shift into one gear - all others OK	Manual shifting components	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
	Reversing lamp switch	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.
Transaxle 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 GENERAL PROCEDURES .
	Fork on rail	CHECK the shift rail interlock system. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
Hard shifting	Insufficient clutch hydraulic fluid Excessive clutch pedal free play Damaged or worn gear shifter fork Damaged clutch slave cylinder Contamination of the clutch Transaxle concern	GO to COMPONENT TESTS FOR HARD SHIFTING .
Fluid leaks	Transmission fluid	CHECK the manual transmission fluid level and type. REMOVE all traces of fluid on the exposed transaxle surfaces. CHECK the vent for free breathing. OPERATE the transmission. INSPECT for new leakage. REFER to the appropriate Transmission article for repair procedures.
	Other components leaking	REMOVE all traces of fluid on exposed transaxle surfaces. CHECK the vent for free breathing. OPERATE the transaxle and INSPECT for new leakage. IDENTIFY the leaking fluid as engine, power steering or manual transmission fluid. REPAIR as necessary.
	Transaxle seals/seams and case	INSPECT for leaks at the input shaft bearing retainer seal and the shift rail expansion plug. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION . 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 .
	Fill and drain plugs	CHECK the fill plug, the drain plug and the bore threads. REPAIR as necessary. TIGHTEN to specification. REFER to GENERAL PROCEDURES .
	Transaxle bolts	CHECK for loose or missing bolts. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION .
	Halfshaft oil seals	CHECK for cracked, loose or damaged RH intermediate shaft oil seal or LH halfshaft oil seal. INSTALL new seals as necessary. REFER to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR .
Bearing failure	Other part failure Raceways or rollers Manual transmission fluid	REMOVE, CLEAN and DISASSEMBLE the transaxle, then INSTALL new bearings as necessary. (It is necessary to RESET the bearing preload if any tapered bearings are installed.) REFER to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR .
	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.
	Input shaft oil dam	INSTALL new components and verify correct oil dam installation. REFER to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR . 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 DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY OF SUBASSEMBLIES .