Can't Downshift into 3rd... Why??

damiano3 · 01-23-2009

I just bought a '09 GT... got about 4200 miles on it. Whenever i shift, i can feel the syncros working and stopping me from grinding the gears except when i try to downshift to 3rd. Whenever i try to do that i feel the gears start to grind. It's been doing this since i drove it off the lot. Is there something i'm doing wrong or am I missing something? any information would be helpful. Thanks.

**stlwagon** · 01-23-2009

Something doesn't sound right. Is it only on the 4th-3rd downshift or does 2nd-3rd do the same?

Thereaper · 01-23-2009

I would take it back to the Dealer and have it checked out.

awesomeaustin · 01-23-2009

Taking it to the dealer would be your best bet, like they said. You could try to double-clutch downshift into third, and see if that works. If anything it could isolate the problem. If you don't know how: Depress the clutch when in 4th and move to neutral, engage (release) the clutch, rev the engine to the rpm that 3rd will be at, hold rpm and depress clutch and shift to 3rd, then engage clutch. Doing this doesn't need synchros, so if its the synchros, then double clutching should work. Warning: make sure your on a straight, familiar road without traffic, or any other hazard if you've never done it..

**stlwagon** · 01-24-2009

Since it's practically brand new the dealer is the best bet.

damiano3 · 01-28-2009

Yeah i figured as much, I just didn't know if I was being dumb. Thanks guys!

davidcf · 09-18-2009

MY 08 had only about 10,000 miles on it when I had trouble both down-shifting and up-shifting. This happened during the winter up here in the north. It ended up being rust forming between and on the flywheel and pressure plate! It was under warranty so Ford replaced all clutch parts as well as flywheel, but with American made parts rather than the European parts that are standard. How rust formed is a mystery, but I have doubts I will be the only one with such a problem.

Now if only I could adjust pedal travel!

sqidd · 09-19-2009

You either bent the 3rd gear shift fork, damaged the 3rd gear "channel" in the shift drum or stretched a bushing.

Its coming apart like it or not, sorry