Shifting problems


Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
Hi everyone,

last week I had the unfortunate pleasure of my GT letting me down the 1st time. I was approaching a crossing and wanted to shift down to engage 2nd gear, let go clutch and ... hm what was that ... NOTHING HAPPENED ... ok car came to a halt. Pressed clutch engaged 1st gear, released clutch ... still nothing ... tried again ... nothing and that also with all other gears.

Ok, thought it would just be a cable on the shift mechanism or tranny that detached but my mechanic told me no, tranny does it's job its just missing transmission of power from the engine. So could it be that the OEM clutch is toast at 7.500 miles ? Car has 630rwhp and I drove it for 1000 miles (bought with 6500 miles), no burn outs and no 3rd gear starting. Or is there something else I should consider ?

Matthias
 
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bonehead

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 18, 2012
2,827
Houston, TX
So you engaged a gear, tried to accelerate and the revs went up but the car didn't move? Even though you may have taken care of it for 1000 miles, a lot could have happened with the previous owner's 6500 miles. Only takes a few 3rd gear starts to destroy the clutch.
 

Gierkink

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 5, 2005
672
Wellington, FL
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida

That would be my guess. A clutch is not likely to fail like that without any warning.
 

Sinovac

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Jul 18, 2006
5,862
Largo, Florida
Half shafts or input shaft.
 

Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
Thanks for replies so far. What really puzzles me is that no mechanical Sounds can be heard, Nothing that shouldn't be there. It is just like there is no connection between engine and transmission. Car has VIN #906, is it a candidate for the half-shaft bolts ?
 

RALPHIE

GT Owner
Mar 1, 2007
7,278
All the GTs were candidates for the half-shaft bolt replacement, and could fail at any time due to the hydrogen embrittling of the bolts due to their processing. When mine were replaced, 2 bolts on each side were already breaking and came apart when removed.

You can easily confirm if yours are broken, and if they were ever replaced. Lots of threads on this subject.
 

debtdrives

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 20, 2007
438
Oakland, Michigan 48363
They ALL need halfshaft bolts replaced! Exact symptoms that you are having. Keith
 

Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
So it's time to give the Ford Dealer a call and ask for the replacement parts. Still will get it done by someone who is passionate about doing repairs right :)
 
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PHXGT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 11, 2005
369
Phoenix, AZ
I think you would see a lot of transmission fluid running out on to the ground.
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
I think you would see a lot of transmission fluid running out on to the ground.

Exactly.

If you have fluid all over everything back aft, you can pretty much BET the 1/2 shaft bolts went bye-bye. Your car has all the classic symtoms of the aforesaid.

There was a service repair bulletin issued several years ago instructing all GT owners to get the 'bolts replaced. 'Sounds like whomever owned your car back then DIDN'T.
 

nota4re

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 15, 2006
4,281
Definitely one of the halfshafts is out. Typically will make a small mess of gear oil coming out but this can be largey disguised as a lot of it ends up on the pans.

A VERY easy fix. Install the kit for each side - about an hour of labor per side (and NOTHING needs to be disassembled to get access - so don't let a delaership or repair shop take apart stuff unnecessarily.) Clean up the mess and then make sure the transaxle is topped off. Should be the cost of the kit (Accufab is $199) plus about two hours of labor.

If you are taking the car to a shop or dealership that is not familiar with the repair process - PM me for my cell number and I'd be happy to walk through the process with them.
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Jan 4, 2006
11,680
Belleville, IL
Kendal, I didn't know your German was so good.
 

SMOKDU

GT Owner
Dec 17, 2011
412
Half shaft 99%
 

Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
So even if this broke down do I have to expect damage to the shafts or the transaxle itself ? Getting the repair kit from Ford or Accufab and installation seems to be a minor issue to me (even if I have to import it from the states).
 

PL510*Jeff

Well-known member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Nov 3, 2005
4,900
Renton, Washington
So even if this broke down do I have to expect damage to the shafts or the transaxle itself ?.

Short answer is No.
 

Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
That's more than good, very appreciated. Who should I be ordering the Accufab Kit from ? I am looking for a vendor who has it on stock and sends via UPS or Fedex to speed up customs process on my side.
 
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Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,362
Washington State
May as well start out at the top:

https://www.accufabracing.com/contact-us
 

DanielJ

GT Owner
Dec 21, 2010
298
Washington State
That's more than good, very appreciated. Who should I be ordering the Accufab Kit from ? I am looking for a vendor who has it on stock and sends via UPS or Fedex to speed up customs process on my side.

Use the following link to see the bolts you need and order directly from Accufab Racing:

https://www.accufabracing.com/more/product/108-ford-gt-rear-axel-bolt-kit

Best,

DJ

PS: Is this your website? http://www.oldtimer-radio.de/. If so, would like to chat with you.
 
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Brombear

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 16, 2013
1,405
Frankfurt Area, Germany
Thanks, have shot an email to Accufab

Regarding your question, I have no relation with Matthias from oldtimer-radio.de

Best

Matthias