[Jdeld311]

Let me start by saying this site is awesome :rockon and you guys have been very helpful to me, although I don't ask many questions because I can usually find what I need by searching. Now that the butt kissing is over, I wanted some ideas on this. I have an 88 bronco, stock 302, with a 5 speed manual transmission. It is sometimes hard to get into gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd mostly) and I thought the clutch may not be completely releasing. I bled the hydraulic line tonight (concentric slave), but didn't really see much improvement. The clutch pedal still has about 1-2 inches of travel before I feel it pushing fluid. Another thing that's odd is with the clutch in or out, the transmission and transfer case levers wiggle back and forth (another reason I thought it might not be fully releasing). The engine doesn't seem to move much. It's done this since I bought it a year or so ago and has performed great. The clutch/transmission also is pretty noisy with it in or out. Oh and another thing, sometimes when it's hard to put in first, I'll push on the stick and it will go into gear, but the rear end will clunk too like there's a load on it when there shouldn't be. Do you think the synchros are going/gone in the transmission or could this be something else? Any ideas are appreciated.

Sorry so long, trying to provide some info.

 

[85f150]

Well if you clutch isn't engaging properly liek you say, it sounds like it could be the bushings in the linkage under the dash or the splined piece that mounts on the side of the linkage and connects to the rod going to Clutch MC. There is also a bushing on the rod too.

It is not a easy job expect to spend a day wiggling things around.

The not going into 1st,2nd,3rd easily does sound like the synchros are wore. But if the clutch was working to its full potential it might help some.

The noise usually comes from the bearings inside the transmission. Have you kept it full with ATF and change it regualeraly.

The shifters will wiggle back and fourth from the motor wiggling, since they are directly connected. If they are wiggling alot you might need a new motor mounts or tranny mount.


The clunck thing sounds like the clutch isn't working properly and totally releasing the tranny which could go along with your other probs and hard to get into gear. As 1,2,3 spin faster, than 4th which is direct drive, and 5od.

Good luck



BTW get on supermotors.net and Look for Steve83, check out his Hydro clutch albums....There will be exploded views to help ya out some

 

[BigSteve77]

I agree with the last post. Also if the presure plate is wore you will have a problem getting into the lower gears. But like the last guy said check the clucth pedal linkage mine wore out in my first Bronco and untill i changed it out it never shifted right. If you want to see if the syncros are bad try power shifting through 2nd and third gear. If it shifts real easy then your ssyncros are fine.

 

[TheUnforgiven]

mine was clunking and a little hard to get into 1st. changed the fluid and put Mercon V in there. shifted a little better. then i changed both engine mounts and the trans mount, all were shot. shifts nice now.

revving the engine in neutral isn't going to show anything. put the parking brake on AND chock the wheels, and have someone stand NEXT to the truck and rev it in 1st and Reverse and pop the clutch a bit. or, you could rev it up and try to actually drive it (even though it's chocked with the parking brake on) this will torque up those engine mounts good. those 2 tests will show if the mounts are shot. the engine should not move much at all if they are good. i'm talking maybe an inch either way. my engine moved 2+ inches either way, i thought it was ok until i had my Auto Tech teacher look at it. he said they were shot.

as far as the clutch goes, sorry i don't know jack about clutches.

 

[Jdeld311]

Thanks for the input. I hope to have time to check out these things tomorrow.