[Granada302]

Hello - This is my first post on this forum!

I recently purchased a 2006 GT Convertible with a 5-speed manual gearbox. This has started to become difficult to engage reverse gear (typically when warm). If for example reverse is selected when the vehicle is cold, reverse gear is usually easy to select. Once warmed up, it is really difficult to select reverse without using excessive force (sometime two hands on the shifter).

I took the car back to the dealer that I purchased it from & they said that this is normal & that you have to put the gearbox into a different gear before selecting reverse. I know that reverse gear doesn't have synchromesh, but I have owned many Ford vehicles with manual gearboxes & have never had a problem selecting reverse.

Is this really just one of those things that you have to live with, or is it a sign of other problems?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[stlwagon]

That is a line of bull they're feeding you. Something isn't right.

Welcome aboard!

[travelers]

Welcome to AFM

No you don't have to use two hands I can go directly into reverse from neutral with the clutch out and it will go right in reverse with it hot. Its not normal. How many miles are on the car? Does it grind a little when you try to put it in reverse? Is it the stock shifter?

I would also try changing the trans oil, that also helps.

[bmw2stang]

TRY THIS WORKED FOR ME! I was having that issue and in the manual it says there is a reverse lockout built in to the tranny. Try from nuetral push left on the stick than all the way right than go in to reverse. It says hat it is made that way to prevent going into reverse from 5th gear while driving. I push left than right and it goes into reverse everytime now with no issue. Le me know if it helps you out and welcome aboard.

[BlueLou]

You shouldn't behaving that much trouble with putting your transmission into reverse. I copied this out of the manual. You could give that a try. You might be having an issue with the transmissions reverse lockout...

Reverse
1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the neutral position and wait at least
three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse).
• The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving it
from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).
This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from
accidentally being shifted into R (Reverse) from 5 (Overdrive).

[sqidd]

Sounds like the clutch fluid (the line that goes from the master to the slave) has air or moisture in it. When it gets warm it does exactly that. They are a ***** to bleed too. Take it too your dealer and tell them to flush the system with fresh fluid (don't let them use a bottle that is already open, it will have moisture in it) and make sure it's bled correctly.

[Granada302]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

To answer the questions, there is no grinding or noises when selecting reverse.

I tried the moving the gearshift from the left into reverse & it makes no difference with gear selection.

Haven't tried the wait three seconds before selecting reverse, but repeatedly trying to select reverse probably takes longer than three seconds - still v. difficult to select reverse.

Interesting thought about the clutch hydraulic line not being propoerly bled. Vehicle was on the Dealer's lot for 6 months+, so moisture could be a possibility. Will suggest this to the Dealer.

Vehicle is currently back at the Dealer being inspected. They still think that it is totally normal, even to the point of letting me check out a new (probably 2008) Foose Mustang to show me that the gearshift was the same on that one as well.

The dealer is being very good about looking at it (not complaining, & providing a free rental car), but you can tell that they think that I am making a fuss about nothing.

I'll post updates when I hear something & if anyone else has any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks once again.