Shifting problems

hexum311

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
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I have had my tri-ax on for a couple of months now with no problem. Until now. Within the last 3 weeks it is sometimes hard to get it into 1st and reverse. Almost seems like it doesn't want to go sometimes. Then I have to shift around into some other gears and go back to first or reverse and it will go. When it does go, half of the time it doesn't feel smooth anymore, it is real notchy. Has anyone had this problem? Could it be a problem with the shifter or the trans? It never happened until a few weeks ago. Should I pull it apart and try my factory shifter again? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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When I had my SPEC II installed it did this. Talked to some people and they said it was the crappy factory clutch quadrant. Bought a STEEDA firewall adjuster and quadrant. Installed it in about 1 hour. Shifts like a knife cutting through butter
 
Cool! Thanks for the reply, I will go and check this out right now. Excuse me for being stupid, but what is a SPEC II? Also could you tell me exactly what parts you had to buy, and if this would work on a stock clutch? Thanks.
 
well...you didn't really say...obviously the reverse you're not moving...but I'll get too that in a second...

Now first gear...are you trying down shift into 1st? With the TR-3650 it has a saftey mechinism to keep you from downshifting at more than 15mph...it can be accomplished however by matching the RPM. If you're at a stand still and it wont go into 1st, try rocking it back and forth in neutral then 1st again.

For reverse...again another saftey feature for the tr-3650. It is not supposed to engage reverse unless you pull left in neutral, then go into reverse...that's only about half the time i've experienced though.

Another thing, you might want to check your transmission fluid level, or just change the fluid all together...remember you only need 3.2 qts of Mercon (or equivelent). If I remember correctly Tremec or Ford found that when they filled the transmission with 4 quarts the gear change was really notchy and some what, for lack of better words, "crunchy".

hope that helps
 
A transmission that does not want to go into first and reverse may have a clutch that is not releasing. The shop manual shows you how to mesaure the point where the clutch starts engaging . I t should start about 1 1/2 inches up from the carpet. Your Ford quadrant self adjusts and always gives you the right setting.
 
Denny55 said:
A transmission that does not want to go into first and reverse may have a clutch that is not releasing. The shop manual shows you how to mesaure the point where the clutch starts engaging . I t should start about 1 1/2 inches up from the carpet. Your Ford quadrant self adjusts and always gives you the right setting.

a little rider to that...to make it adjust all you have to do is push up on the clutch as far as it will go, then push it back down to the floor.
 
DTMach1 said:
well...you didn't really say...obviously the reverse you're not moving...but I'll get too that in a second...

Now first gear...are you trying down shift into 1st? With the TR-3650 it has a saftey mechinism to keep you from downshifting at more than 15mph...it can be accomplished however by matching the RPM. If you're at a stand still and it wont go into 1st, try rocking it back and forth in neutral then 1st again.

For reverse...again another saftey feature for the tr-3650. It is not supposed to engage reverse unless you pull left in neutral, then go into reverse...that's only about half the time i've experienced though.

Another thing, you might want to check your transmission fluid level, or just change the fluid all together...remember you only need 3.2 qts of Mercon (or equivelent). If I remember correctly Tremec or Ford found that when they filled the transmission with 4 quarts the gear change was really notchy and some what, for lack of better words, "crunchy".

hope that helps


HAHA, Yeah I am talking about shifting at a standstill, not moving :D . Like when I am first starting to move, sometimes it feels like it doesn't want to go into 1st or R. If I shift through the other gears a little, then come back it will go. It doesn't do this always just sometimes. I would say about half the time though it doesn't go into 1st or R smoothly anymore, that is it feels kinda notchy. I will check the fluid and see what it is. Thanks for the help. I didn't know if I should have the dealership look at it though because I have heard all the tri-ax worries about warranties.

Thanks for the replies!!! :nice:
 
well see...there is no fluid dip stick...you can't tell how much fluid is in your transmission...there is only the inspection port where you stick your finger in a feel for the fluid level...it should just touch your finger tip.
 
If any consulation, when I rode with a ford tech he always shifted 2nd then 1st when at a stop. So after driving and coming to a stop sign he would stop, put in 2nd then 1st and go. Not sure why, but it has become habit for me now.