1996 Ford Explorer 1996 Explorer 2D MANUAL TRANSMISSION

DOMJOE

MEMBER
1996 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
40,000 MILES

The transmission has recently become harder to shift - feels gritty (1st gear & reverse most noticeable). Afraid to be charged a fortune as I know nothing about mechanics. Do I just take it to a Ford dealership & hope for the best?

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 12:31 PM

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,509 POSTS

First, with that many miles, there shouldn't be anything wrong with the trans. Tell me, does the trans shift smoothly when the engine is off? Also, with the engine running, it is just harder to get into gear? Is there any grinding?

Let me know.
Joe

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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 7:15 AM

DOMJOE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you Joe for your answer - just tried shifting w/o engine on - much easier - hope this isn't bad news. As far as grinding goes when driving - no such thing, just stiff. Had a local mechanics drive it around & he said it was just some wear & tear & that maybe an oil change would help a little but that manual gearboxes r not supposed to be messed w/.

Tks for your help. Dom

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Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 5:32 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,509 POSTS

Dom:
I don't think it is anything bad. First, manual transmission need to be serviced too. So I would try that. Also, you have a hydraulic clutch on the vehicle. Make sure the fluid is full. The worst case I can think of is perhaps the pressure plate is getting weak or the throw out bearing is going bad with the clutch. As far as the transmission, if you service it and it isn't abused, it will outlast the vehicle.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Saturday, October 9th, 2010 AT 12:31 PM

DOMJOE