Symptom Chart - Transmission Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Transmission difficult to shift	Lubricant	ADD or DRAIN and FILL with specified lubricant.
	Internal shift mechanism	CHECK the internal shift mechanism for smooth operation. REPAIR or INSTALL a new mechanism as necessary.
	Sliding gears, synchronizers	CHECK for free movement of gears and synchronizers. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Housings, shaft	CHECK for binding condition between the input shaft and the engine crankshaft pilot bearing or bushing. REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Loose pressure plate to flywheel bolts	CHECK for loose bolts at the pressure plate. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
Transmission will not shift - gearshift lever moves	Gearshift lever damaged	INSTALL a new gearshift lever.
	Damaged or worn offset lever, shift plate or selector arm. Loose shift rail bushings	CHECK the internal shift components. INSTALL new component as necessary.
NOTE: While verifying the condition, determine whether the noise is gear rollover noise, release bearing rub or some other transmission-related noise. Gear rollover noise, inherent in manual transmissions, is caused by the constant mesh of gears turning at the engine idle speed while the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in NEUTRAL. Release bearing rub is sometimes mistaken for mainshaft bearing noise. Gear rollover noise will disappear when the clutch is disengaged or when the transmission is engaged in gear. 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 or DRAIN and FILL with specified lubricant.
	Components grounding out on the transmission	CHECK for screws and bolts of body or other components grounding out. CORRECT as necessary.
	Components housing bolts	CHECK the torque on the transmission-to-flywheel housing bolts and the flywheel housing-to-engine block bolts. TIGHTEN the bolts to specification. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Bearings or gears	INSPECT the bearings. INSPECT the gears and gear teeth for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
Gears clash when shifting from one forward gear to another	Pilot bearing	CHECK for a binding condition between the input shaft and the engine crankshaft pilot bearing. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH .
	Gear teeth and/or synchronizer	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Damaged shift forks or worn shift fork inserts	INSPECT for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary.
Transmission jumps out of gear	Transmission range selector lever boot	INSTALL a new boot if exceptionally stiff.
	Transmission-to-engine mounting bolts	TIGHTEN the bolts to specification.
	Crankshaft pilot bearing	INSTALL a new bearing.
	Internal damage	INSPECT the synchronizer sleeves for free movement on their hubs. INSPECT the synchronizer blocking rings for widened index slots, rounded clutch teeth and smooth internal surface. CHECK countershaft cluster gear for excessive end play. CHECK shift forks for worn or loose mounting on shift rails. INSPECT the synchronizer sliding sleeve and the gear clutch teeth for wear or damage. REPAIR or INSTALL a new component as necessary.
	Gear teeth	If worn or damaged, INSTALL new gears.
Transmission will not shift into one gear - all others OK	Manual shift linkage	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Backup switch ball	If REVERSE is the problem, CHECK reverse lamp switch for ball frozen in extended position.
	Internal components	INSPECT the shift rail and fork system, 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, shift rails, forks and the synchronizer for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary.
	Fork on rail, offset lever or shift rail	CHECK the shift rail interlock system. REPAIR as necessary.
Transmission leaks	Lubricant	CHECK the level and type.
	Other component leaking	IDENTIFY leaking fluid as engine, power steering or transmission fluid. REPAIR as necessary.
	False report	REMOVE all traces of lube on the 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. INSPECT for leaks at the top cover gasket. INSPECT the case for sand holes or cracks. REPAIR or INSTALL a new case as necessary.
	Fill and drain plugs	CHECK fill and drain plugs and bore threads. REPAIR as necessary. TIGHTEN plugs to specified torque value.
Bearing failure	Other part failure Raceways or rollers Lubricant Towing vehicle further than 80 km (50 mi) with driveshaft installed. Mainshaft tapered bearing and needle caged bearings are especially susceptible to damage	REMOVE, DISASSEMBLE and CLEAN the transmission. Inspect for damaged parts and install new components as necessary. (Note: RESET the bearing preload if any new tapered bearings are installed.)
	Vibration break-up of retainer and brinelling of races Bearing(s) Shafts or bore Overloading of vehicle Incorrect preload	DETERMINE the cause of vibration and CORRECT. Otherwise, PROCEED as above.
	Input shaft oil dam	INSTALL new components as necessary and VERIFY the oil dam installation is correct. 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 a new oil baffle, making sure it is not damaged during assembly.