Hey people, I need a bit of help here.

I have an f-150 6cyl 4x4 with a manual transmission.

Just recently it has started to be very difficult to shift into reverse, it feels like it is trying to shift the front end into four wheel drive.
If I "play" with the shift lever (try over and over to shift in & out of reverse) I can get it to go into a "regular feeling" reverse.

As I mentioned this issue has gotten much worse in a short period of time and I can't drive my truck now for fear I'll get stuck with out being able to reverse out of a damn parking spot much less out in the desert.

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

How well does it shift into first gear? Have you checked the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder? Don't forget to remove the rubber cup under the cap of the clutch master cylinder.

 

Yes, thanks I have checked the clutch master cylinder and it is full and no leaks to be found.

As far as shifting into 1st.... I usually drop to 2nd and then up to 1st, otherwise it will grind a bit going into 1st.

Next?........

 

Just to double check, you did remove that rubber cup when checking the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder?? That leaves the master cylinder only about half full, leaving room to reinsert the rubber cup.

Does the truck start to move with the clutch pedal just a little ways off the floor when taking off from a stop? How much free play does the clutch pedal have? By free play I mean how far can you push the pedal down before it pushes somewhat harder or starts to release power to the wheels?

 

clutch is good linkage is tight, when changing from 1st to reverse it acts like the transmission is in two gears, the clutch will release but the engine will stall.

 

Something must be messed up with the shift linkage inside the top part of the transmission.

 

Bummer, any way to fix it without removing the transmission??

 

Probably can be fixed without removing the transmission. You would just need to find somebody who understands these transmissions.

 

If you remove the carpet, there should be a big plate you can unbolt that will allow you access to the top of the trans (look from underneath to make sure you have the plate before you pull the carpet, but I'm pretty certain you will). You can take the shifter and forks off from there. I don't know that your problem will be able to be fixed from there, but maybe you'll find something obvious.

 

I've also noticed that when driving there is a rattle from the trans gears felt up through the shift stick even when coasting.

I think I might have a bigger issue.