Second gear crunch


Gastrux

GT Owner
Jan 16, 2007
3
North East Ohio
After only 1100 very gentle miles (I believe in slow break in) the car catches a bit of gear going into second. The dealer adjusted the cable and that helped, but not the same as it was when it was fresh. After it is good and warmed up it gets better. Dealer says this is 'normal' for this transmission. I have a 40 year old GM relic with well over 100K on the clock that has never ground a gear ever.... Can't believe this is 'normal'. Anyone else have this problem?
 
Aug 25, 2006
4,436
After only 1100 very gentle miles (I believe in slow break in) the car catches a bit of gear going into second. The dealer adjusted the cable and that helped, but not the same as it was when it was fresh. After it is good and warmed up it gets better. Dealer says this is 'normal' for this transmission. I have a 40 year old GM relic with well over 100K on the clock that has never ground a gear ever.... Can't believe this is 'normal'. Anyone else have this problem?


Yes this has been discussed and is the nature of the beast for many

Enjoy your gal

Shadowman
 

FlorIdaho Chris

Yeah, I've got one.
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Very common.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
The grind SHOULD be completely gone after thorough warm up. Like Shadowman sez, this is "par for the coarse" with these cars believe it or not.

IF IT DUZZUNT STOP after warm up, you might wanna see your friendly Ford dealer B4 your warranty goes "bye-bye".
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,700
Sandpoint Id
Ditto to all the above. Just be easy until the trans is warm not just the motor.
 

Ripper 02

Permanent Vacation
Aug 16, 2006
229
Texas
 

ladams1

GT Owner
Jan 1, 2007
81
Central Florida
2nd gear

My FGT does not do that, not a noise! The car is the best shifter of any car I have driven or owned with the exception of the new Porsche 997. The FGT is a better car only talking shifter.

I would call a Ford service rep. I have four guys I know well who have FGT's and they have non of that.


Sorry and good luck solving your problem.:ack

Lee
 
Aug 25, 2006
4,436
My FGT does not do that, not a noise! The car is the best shifter of any car I have driven or owned with the exception of the new Porsche 997. The FGT is a better car only talking shifter.

I would call a Ford service rep. I have four guys I know well who have FGT's and they have non of that.


Sorry and good luck solving your problem.:ack

Lee


Lee

I made mention early in this thread regarding the fact that several seemed to have this issue however like you I have not had this issue and always attributed this fact to the Ford Racing short shifter that I installed; but then who knows.

Grinding syncro's would not make me smile

All the best

Shadowman
 

TEXAS GT

2006 Twin Turbo
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Neither of my cars have that problem. The '05 has 3200 miles and shifts smooth cold or hot, up or down. The '06 only has 70 miles but doesn't grind or resist. I understand a lot of these cars have this problem but it should be fixable since some are trouble free.

I hate to see this car get a reputation for a touchy transmission when it really doesn't deserve it.
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,592
Ft. Lauderdale
Neither of my cars have that problem. The '05 has 3200 miles and shifts smooth cold or hot, up or down. The '06 only has 70 miles but doesn't grind or resist. I understand a lot of these cars have this problem but it should be fixable since some are trouble free.

I hate to see this car get a reputation for a touchy transmission when it really doesn't deserve it.

I agree with Texas GT. Mine has shifted smooth as silk hot or cold from day one. There has to be some adjustments that can help. With Two long shift cables there is probably some set up discrepancies that vary from car to car..
 

Spirit

Heritage GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
1st to 2nd

No "grind" or "crunch" from 1st to 2nd here.

However, does shift "stiff" until the trans warms up.

Have noticed it takes just a "tad" longer to warm up the transmission since the addition of the Trans Cooler.

Just ordered the Short Shifter, will see if that makes any changes in the 1st to 2nd shifting after installation.

I Just Love This Thing.
 

Pete S.

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 18, 2006
529
MA
I know of no cars with gearboxes created with tight clearances that don't require a warm up period for smooth operation. Of course, if you reside in a more moderate climate, you might not experience the symptoms. The GT2's, GT3's and other FGT's in my area "All" require warmup, or get the 1st-2nd crunch. Have you tried 1st to N, and N to 2nd? at least until it warms up?
 

STORMCAT

GT
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
May 25, 2006
7,592
Ft. Lauderdale
I know of no cars with gearboxes created with tight clearances that don't require a warm up period for smooth operation. Of course, if you reside in a more moderate climate, you might not experience the symptoms. The GT2's, GT3's and other FGT's in my area "All" require warmup, or get the 1st-2nd crunch. Have you tried 1st to N, and N to 2nd? at least until it warms up?

Point well taken, I'm in Florida and it's been in the 70-80's since I've had my car. No thick fluid here!!
 

Pete S.

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Aug 18, 2006
529
MA
Correct, I have never noticed a difficult shift on a warm D.C. summer day here, either. :cool Unfortunately, there is a level of cultural impatience requiring immediate performance by some when the key is turned.

How do the slow-ski turtles phrase it?

"Where's the fire?
I don't see any fire."

Warm the fluid up, and shift smoothly every time.

.:thumbsup .
 

SteveA

GT Owner/B.O.D
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 13, 2005
3,700
Sandpoint Id
I stand corrected, mine doesn't "grind" when cold going 1st to 2nd but it is "very stiff"
 

Bart Carter

GT Owner
Mar 12, 2006
272
Las Vegas
When cold, I have always shifted easy so as not to crunch the syncros. Now, no matter how warm, my 1st to 2nd crunches. I guess a visit to the dealer is in my future.
 

GT4JR

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 26, 2006
189
Yorba Linda, California
I have the same problem until the engine warms up; it grinds sometimes but always hard to shift to 2nd until temp is around 160; the car shifted fine until I hit the 500 miles mark! I guess it is the nature of the beast!! Love this car!
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,786
Belleville, IL
Bart, do you have the short throw shifter?
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,220
North Carolina
Have had this "perk" since day 1. Resolution was installation of the short throw shifter.....

But in general - you just have to let the gal wam up not only for the trans but also for the oil.
 

abolfaz

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jan 11, 2006
827
Coral Gables
My crunch has gone away completely warm or not.