Sloppy shifter

[Jardon]

Hey yall. Ive got a '94 mustang GT 5.0L five speed and the shifter is VERY sloppy. Im already planning on getting a new shifter bushing for the ball, but I was wondering if there's anything else I should consider getting. Its pretty hard trying to find really any gear that Im going into and my fiance just blew the clutch yesterday trying to find 3rd gear. Any suggestions?

 

[ttocs]

aftermarket shifters can make a big difference in feel.

 

[Jardon]

aftermarket shifters can make a big difference in feel.

It does have an aftermarket short throw. Im just hoping its just the bushing that went bad because each gear has about a 1 inch radius of play on the shift knob. Just ordered a new bushing and the shifter base gasket kit

 

[SPeace-ATL]

It does have an aftermarket short throw. I'm just hoping its just the bushing that went bad because each gear has about a 1 inch radius of play on the shift knob. Just ordered a new bushing and the shifter base gasket kit

Unfortunately, that shifter bushing rarely gives trouble. Generally the bushing in the shifter lever in the base holds up well also. This leaves worn out pads on the shift forks and general wear inside the transmission which is very common on a T5 transmission.

After 30 years those nylon fork pads have had a good run...

Stan

 

[Jardon]

Unfortunately, that shifter bushing rarely gives trouble. Generally the bushing in the shifter lever in the base holds up well also. This leaves worn out pads on the shift forks and general wear inside the transmission which is very common on a T5 transmission.

After 30 years those nylon fork pads have had a good run...

Stan

Oh boy. It does have around 155k miles. Is there a way to fix this without having to dive into the transmission? I did get the bushing to see if that'll help

 

[ttocs]

it could be as simple as needing to adjust the shifter then. It isn't too hard to get to and get eyes on, take some pics and the pros here will know.

 

[Jardon]

it could be as simple as needing to adjust the shifter then. It isn't too hard to get to and get eyes on, take some pics and the pros here will know.

I'll be dropping the transmission soon regardless because my clutch blew out and is currently immobile lmao. Where can I get eyes on the linkages? Im completely new to this car and ford in general lol. Only ever owned foreign

 

[SPeace-ATL]

I wish it could be as simple as an adjustment. I deal with these transmissions every day.
There are no shifter adjustments to a T5 transmission other than the adjustable shifter stops that will be part of the aftermarket shifter. Those stops don't adjust the slack in the shifting. They just limit how far the shifter lever can travel.

You can open the transmission for inspection and access the forks and fork pads. That is about all you can do without tearing it down.

Opening is not so easy. You have to first remove the tail housing and then remove the 10 bolts that hold on the top cover. There is a trick to sliding the cover to one side before it will disengage and lift off.
The forks stay with the cover so you can replace those pads right there. If the pads have been worn out for a while, the forks may be ground down on the tabs for the fork pads and would need replacing as well.

There are YouTube videos that will show how to take it apart and put it back together. The sealant used should be something basic like Permatex Ultra-Black. The super-duper sealants dry like epoxy and make it really hard to get it open the next time...

Stan

 

[Jardon]

I wish it could be as simple as an adjustment. I deal with these transmissions every day.
There are no shifter adjustments to a T5 transmission other than the adjustable shifter stops that will be part of the aftermarket shifter. Those stops don't adjust the slack in the shifting. They just limit how far the shifter lever can travel.

You can open the transmission for inspection and access the forks and fork pads. That is about all you can do without tearing it down.

Opening is not so easy. You have to first remove the tail housing and then remove the 10 bolts that hold on the top cover. There is a trick to sliding the cover to one side before it will disengage and lift off.
The forks stay with the cover so you can replace those pads right there. If the pads have been worn out for a while, the forks may be ground down on the tabs for the fork pads and would need replacing as well.

There are YouTube videos that will show how to take it apart and put it back together. The sealant used should be something basic like Permatex Ultra-Black. The super-duper sealants dry like epoxy and make it really hard to get it open the next time...

Stan

Thank you for the advice. What im mainly confuses about is that the shifter play, even in neutral, is in a complete circle which is why I was thinking it could be the shifter bushing

 

[96blak54]

I second the bushing idea.....sort of makes sense! The shifter shouldnt have any radi movement but if that pocket bushing is deteriorated, one would think the extra slop while in any gear would be shifter engagement related. Heck it might even be the actual shifter its self. Dig into it and report back to us. Im very curious!

 

[SPeace-ATL]

That is a thought. I see the logic.
In neutral the handle is wide open to move L-R and sloppy fork pads would allow F-R movement. It won't be hard to check that shifter bushing. It can go bad. It is just very uncommon.

Tip:
Do not put sealant in the 4 threaded bolt holes of the shifter. Use a shifter gasket or a little sealant to seal up the shifter.

If you decide to get into the transmission shoot me a private message. I can coach you step by step, but it doesn't need to be part of the forum threads...

Stan

 

[Jardon]

I second the bushing idea.....sort of makes sense! The shifter shouldnt have any radi movement but if that pocket bushing is deteriorated, one would think the extra slop while in any gear would be shifter engagement related. Heck it might even be the actual shifter its self. Dig into it and report back to us. Im very curious!

Once I get the new bushing in, I'll put in a new silicone base gasket with it and if it works I'll be so happy because its only a 30 dollar fix lmao

 

[Jardon]

I second the bushing idea.....sort of makes sense! The shifter shouldnt have any radi movement but if that pocket bushing is deteriorated, one would think the extra slop while in any gear would be shifter engagement related. Heck it might even be the actual shifter its self. Dig into it and report back to us. Im very curious!

Hey! I put in the new bushing and gasket today. Turns out there was a bushing just floating around in the shifter area of the transmission. After installing the new one, it feels significantly better. Still a little bit of play, but im assuming thats just wear and tear or just normal transmission stuff

 

[SPeace-ATL]

Glad you found it! "Floating around" Was it maybe somehow not installed properly?

 

[96blak54]

^ thats what it sounds like! Thank you for reporting back the issue. Glad you got it figured out. I remember when i 1st drove my mazdaspeed3, which is manual 6speed. The front wheel drive manual shifters are cable driven and is soppy with a capital S. All ive ever driven manuals were mustangs. Going from a machine feel mustangs to the fwd manual took some getting use to

 

[Jardon]

Unfortunately, that shifter bushing rarely gives trouble. Generally the bushing in the shifter lever in the base holds up well also. This leaves worn out pads on the shift forks and general wear inside the transmission which is very common on a T5 transmission.

After 30 years those nylon fork pads have had a good run...

Stan

Now im hearing a new noise that mildly concerns me. I did my clutch last week Saturday and put in just about 3Qt of 75W90 and now on decel without load (clutch pushed in or on neutral) and it makes a light metallic sound. Similar to engaging a gear somewhat rough. Shifter bushing was actually just floating around and not installed at all. Any advice or help would be wonderful (please don't tell me im rebuilding my transmission lol)

 

[95opal]

Now im hearing a new noise that mildly concerns me. I did my clutch last week Saturday and put in just about 3Qt of 75W90 and now on decel without load (clutch pushed in or on neutral) and it makes a light metallic sound. Similar to engaging a gear somewhat rough. Shifter bushing was actually just floating around and not installed at all. Any advice or help would be wonderful (please don't tell me im rebuilding my transmission lol)

Start by draining the gear oil out. Late model t5s use ATF not gear oil.

 

[Jardon]

Start by draining the gear oil out. Late model t5s use ATF not gear oil.

I might actually want to do that. Im not familiar with Fords at all tbh

 

[95opal]

I might actually want to do that. Im not familiar with Fords at all tbh

Not might, definately

 

[Jardon]

Not might, definately

Okay now im panicked lol. I'll do that as soon as I can at work tomorrow. Ive put about 100 miles on the gear oil I put in. Nerves certainly racked up quick