Hi guys,

Being a newbie manual driver, I've had my Stang for about a month now, and I'm loving it. I just wanted to check if this is normal, but it seems like there is some resistance in the stick when I'm shifting gears. Is this normal? I know I have the clutch pushed in all the way, but I still feel a bit of resistance, and it even seems like there's some grinding when I shift. I don't feel it much when I'm shifting into first, but when I go from 1st to 2nd, I definitely feel it. Even when I'm not driving the car and when the engine is off, I feel the resistance when I shift from 1st to 2nd. I feel it a little shifting to 3rd, and almost nothing at all when I shift to 4th or 5th. Am I damaging the car? I thought at first I was shifting too fast, but even when I ease the stick more slowly from 1st to 2nd, it still has this feeling like it is sticking or there are gears grinding when I shift. I don't remember feeling this when I was first driving, but being a newbie, I probably didn't notice this when I first started driving. I just want to nip this in the bud if this is actually a problem. Thanks.

 

It is like that so you can bang through the first 3 gears w/some aggression

Seriously though, what kind of car did you previously drive?

I noticed the same thing at first. That the car dosen't shift as "smooth" as my old car.

I think that is the way these cars are, as opposed to a Honda or any other sedan.

Heck, after all its a Mustang and meant to be driven hard not to mention it has a fairly short throw for stock. I am going to venture out and suggest that there is nothing wrong with your car, and that's the way these trannys are.

If you are really concerned about it though, have it looked at by a ford technichan.

 

Maybe the shifter is just tight being new? I'd be willing to bet it shifts more smoothely when you get some more miles on it...car breaking in.

 

If anything the clutch might need a slight adjustment but there should be a little resistance when moving between gears. If you start noticing a LOT of resistance, consistently, when shifting the car into reverse it'll be time for a trip to the dealer.

 

Probably fairly normal, however just to be safe have either the dealer or preferably someone who also owns a manual 05/06 try it out to compare it to theirs. With that said, there is nothing wrong with a little "firmness" in your shifts, it's much better than sloppy. You should install a Hurst shifter like myself and some others have. Click, Thunk It's frickin awesome and takes some effort to put it into gear, just like it should be!

Sean

 

I have noticed this as well. Its not hard to shift, but it does feel pretty rough pulling the shifter down from 1st to 2nd- I'm thinking of just getting a Steeda shifter

 

Man, you should try some of the cars form the 60s/70s!

Notably Chevy's "Rock Crusher" 4 speed, named for it's smoothness!

 

LOL...very good point there