Shift clunk

[loesch8102]

When shifting, most notably from 1st to 2nd, my car clunks into gear. It's difficult to explain but it's like the clutch doesn't totally disengage. It is the worst in the 1st to 2nd shift, noticeable in the 2nd to 3rd shift, and barely present in the other two shifts. Every once and a while when the car is cold, (just started), I'll go to put it in 1st and with the clutch totally depressed I can feel and hear a thud. It makes for fairly difficult shifts. When shifting as fast as possible, (ie. when racing), it isn't noticable...probably cause of slamming it into gear. Also, every once and a while it will shift very smoothly between 1 and 2. This happens maybe every 10 shifts from 1st to 2nd. Have any ideas??

[carnut]

What kind of engine and tranny? I am having a similar problem on a top loader 4 speed, although mine is when the engine warms up and I come to a stop. Once stopped I have a hell of a time getting it into any gear. When it's cold, there is no problem. I tried adjusting the clutch today to make it a little tighter, but to no avail. I'm thinking maybe the tranny lube is bad, it does move into any gear with the engine off. Good luck with your problem.

[loesch8102]

Everything is stock from what I was told when I bought it. Is it possible that the rear end gears have been changed and shimmed incorrectly? My problem is slightly worse when cold, but no huge difference.

[tedhontz]

I've owned 12, now 13 Mustangs and have dealt with this issue many times, including now. MOST LIKELY your synchronizers are bad. They will make a grinding noise, also can pop in and out of their "socket" basically and you'll get a loud clothes. Mine currenty has the problem only in first gear. You drop the tranny, not too hard since it's rear wheel drive and then unbolt tranny and put in new synchronizers and re-install. You MAY luck out because the other thing it could be, is that the clutch isn't aligned. But, usually 99% of the time is syncronizers. You'll probably just need one synchronizer but they'll replace all of them since the parts are so cheap. Hope this helps!