Hi all- new to the forum and happy to be here. I've browsed many a thread but never bothered to register until now, because I need some help. I have a 04 GT coupe that I bought 3 years ago with low mileage (30K). It's my everyday car, and I commute 80 miles a day- needless to say I'm just turning 150K. Things have been good other than brakes and tires, but a month or so ago my intake cracked (losing coolant) and my Ford mechanic replaced it for an aftermarket part- telling me that the problem I have is fairly common with the motor. He was a reasonable 750 for the job, compared to the dealership wanting to charge 1500. Anyway, fast forward to today...
Just last night my wife was complaining about "all the money" we have spent on my car, and when she drove it she had a hard time engaging R. I've been having a more and more difficult time getting it into reverse myself, but I laughed her off telling her she didnt know how to drive and that the car is fine.
Regretably, it's not. I had a hell of a time getting reverse this am, and had to hold the shifter in order to prevent popping out. This evening, I was unable to get reverse at all from a level parking spot. Just kept grinding. When I finally nursed it in, I was set to go- but I wont leave myself in a position where I need R anytime soon. Driving home the problem got worse. It pops out of 4th as well. The upper (in shift pattern) are fine, but 4th and R are not an option.
I can say that the only other symptom I've noticed over the past several months is a bit of a metalic "whirring" if I rest my foot on the clutch. In if I'm lazy and dont remove my foot completely (like between shifts) there is a subtle noise. The fully depressed clutch is silent.

Anyhoo- looks like I'm going to be dropping some $$$ and I blame it all on the wife. Anyone have any clues? I'm going to transmission shop in the am and the guy that did the intake manifold said it wasnt clutch (because it was hitting first fine) and that it was some sort of spline or other internal transmission part. He said I'd probably drop 2500 or so.

Thanks in advance! (Oh, did I mention I just paid 1000 deductable on daughters Taurus and 1500 body work on wife's 4 runner? Or that I just replaced my upstairs HVAC for 8500? When it rains, it POURS!!

 

sounds like the clutch is worn. when going into reverse I'll go from a higher gear like 4th ( or any gear would work) then into reverse vs straight to reverse. I think your tranny has a syncro reverse and could be worn or teh gear is in bad shape but from the sounds of things and your mileage she may be do for a clutch job. have you tried raising the clutch pedal a few times allowing the automatic adjuster to adjust it? how high of the floor does the pedal come before it engages.

 

I'm hopeful it's just the clutch- although not optimistic. I'm going to get on the floorboard and pull the clutch out as hard as I can to see if this makes a difference after reading about the adjustable cable. I'll keep you posted and THANKS!

 

Just wanted to say Welcome to TMS! I wouldn't think its the clutch if all your other gears are fine and it pulls good with out slipping. Will it go into reverse with the car off?

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, Glenn. Ya my Ford mechanic said the same thing as you- if you can shift into first without issue, its not the clutch. I extended the clutch cable manually to self adjust, but no change. We can safely rule out the clutch I think.
Reverse and 4th now the issue- the gears at the top of the shift pattern are tight- 1,3,5. 2 seems okay- 4 and R are a "no go". To the transmission shop in the am

 

I had this in a chevy truck, it was a throw out bearing, take a look at it and see it that is the culprit.

 

I would think if its a bad T/O bearing it would be making a racket

 

I have had a little problem with getting in reverse but once I got my short throw shifter if was a much easier gear to find.

 

I have a short throw shifter but it came with the car when i bought it.It gives me a lil trouble sometimes trying to shift into 3rd..any idea dbraham? Btw sorry to ask questions on your threat

 

Throw out bearing...

 

Sounds like a throw out bearing and possibly a stretched cable. Even if its is adjusted, it still could be stretched. The whirling sound I would attribute to the t/o bearing.

 

Good news. The tranny shop couldn't get into reverse (and it kept popping out of 2nd and 4th on my way) so they started diagnosing. Hey had the tranny unbolted then went to disconnect the shifter from the center console. Apparently my aftermarket billit shifter has a bolt on the fork that had come undone- which explains the rapid failure. Tighten the bolt, rebolt the transmission, add fresh synthetic fluid, and 180 dollars later I'm good as new! Thanks all!

 

Good deal the only thing missing now are pics .......of the wife or the car or both

 

That makes sense as 2nd 4th and reverse are the bottom gears