Just bought a 94 Ranger 5 speed, 2.3L. Tranny was bad so i replaced it and had trouble bleeding it but got it finally. Now that the pedal feels right, when its running it wont shift. I can get it into 1st barely, but reverse grinds and doesnt engage. Ive tried everything i can think of but with no avail. If someone could explain whats going on they would be greatly appreciated. O, the previous owner replaced the clutch. Does it sound like the release cylinder or release bearing or clutch or tranny or what?!

 

Here are a few things to check; with the truck off, does the gearshift go (somewhat) easily into whatever gear your shifting into? If yes, then it's a clutch problem. I would look to insufficent/dragging press. plate or posibly a frozen pilot bearing. If it doesn't go into gear w/truck off, it's internal to the trans (most likely a bunch of eaten up syncros). If you start the truck and double clutch it (press clutch once, let out, then press again) and it works better, that's a clutch problem too. Make sure the throwout bearing (part of the slave) is no frozen or possibly comming apart.

 

ok..is there a way to check the pessure plate by pulling the rubber boot offo the bottom of the trans? i can see it flexing when the cutch is depressed but im not sure what it should look like jus by watching it from there. it does go into gear easily with the truck off so u wouldnt think its the release cylinder or the release bearing? i call it the release bearing because thats what the book says but is the release bearing and the pilot bearing the same thing? and how can i check if the throwout is frozen without taking the trans back off? if possible.

 

Well, it does sound as though the clutch is the problem; the bad news is is that it will probably have to come out again (sorry). No, the throwout is usually best inspected once the trans is removed. And the throwout (release, whatever you want to call it) is the one on the end of the slave. The pilot bearing is the one in the center end of the flywheel.