All the fox bodies I've driven have had a hard time getting into reverse? Why is this? I've read about it on here before as well, so I know I'm not the only one.
What gear combinations work best to get to reverse? I mean, it's like you need a password to get into reverse. LOL. I know this sounds kind of stupid but 1 in 2 times that I put my car in reverse it makes a huge clunk sound that is not very crowd pleasing. Usually I come to a complete stop in nuetral, clutch, declutch, then go from 1st to reverse...
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1991 Thunderbird SC: I <3 Blower Whine.
1993 LX 2.3 Convertible: Less than half of a 5.0
1989 LX 5.0 Hatch: Sold!
Sounds like a syncronizer to me . Whats the deal with all the AFM guys's syncros goin bad recently ??????? conspiracy Mine goes into reverse no problem . So not all of em do it . If you figure out that password then please post it because some guys on here need it lol
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Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience...
I don't think reverse has a synchro in the T-5's and T-45's. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Even the T-5 in my 02 V6 has problems getting into reverse sometimes. I either have to shift to 1st or 2nd and then into reverse or let the clutch out as I'm trying to put it into reverse.
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2008 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner SR5 Reg Cab
2.7 4 banger
No mods (yet...)
It could be that your clutch is not completely disengaged. There is no synchro on reverse, really no need for it, as you probably shouldn't upshift or downshift into it!
Common problem with T-5's with worn aluminum bearing retainers that cause the throwout bearing to not fully disengage, or could be you just aren't allowing the input shaft to stop turning.
Another good one is that P.O.S. self-adjusting clutch cable quadrant. That has to go! Instead use an aluminum quadrant and adjustable cable.
The engineer from Tremec that I met at Bondurant does a little test:
Put trans in neutral, at idle, and let out clutch. Push in clutch, wait 5 seconds, and put in neutral. If it grinds, clutch is dragging!
Hope this helps!
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After building Porsches, I now realize how elementary American cars really are!
It could be that your clutch is not completely disengaged. There is no synchro on reverse, really no need for it, as you probably shouldn't upshift or downshift into it!
Common problem with T-5's with worn aluminum bearing retainers that cause the throwout bearing to not fully disengage, or could be you just aren't allowing the input shaft to stop turning.
Another good one is that P.O.S. self-adjusting clutch cable quadrant. That has to go! Instead use an aluminum quadrant and adjustable cable.
The engineer from Tremec that I met at Bondurant does a little test:
Put trans in neutral, at idle, and let out clutch. Push in clutch, wait 5 seconds, and put in neutral. If it grinds, clutch is dragging!
Hope this helps!
__________________
After building Porsches, I now realize how elementary American cars really are!
yeah, i have a t5 and mine has the same problems too...it's quite irritating, but i think my TO bearing is toast, i think it's like $35 to replace, but i believe you gotta take apart the transmission for that... f that.
mines fine. not bad for a stock 86 t5. my 88gt i used to have didnt like reverse though. just like slowstang said go to fith then to reverse, works every time.
j
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2004 mustang gt
Update: JLT CAI, SLP LM2 catback,
Parts in the basement : To much to list. heres a hint..it involves a watts link and turbos.
Today I went to grab a drink at the liquor store and my tranny wouldn't go into reverse when I had to back out. I sat there for at least 1 minute trying to get it in gear.
Finally, I put it into 3rd and then reverse and it went. Strange...
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1991 Thunderbird SC: I <3 Blower Whine.
1993 LX 2.3 Convertible: Less than half of a 5.0
1989 LX 5.0 Hatch: Sold!
What Monkey boy said works: when trying to shift into reverse, put pressure on the reverse gear slot while slowly letting out the clutch from a fully depressed position. It should slip into reverse after your clutch pedal releases an inch or so.
putting your car in first gear and engaging the clutch...just to move a "c" hair forward b4 u put it in reverse works EVERY time...i only do this when it wont just slip into reverse.give it a shot!!!!
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1998 SVT Cobra #4941 of 5174 built on June 19,1998
4.30s, Speedcal, WMS CAI, Pro 5.0 shifter, Sniper Tuner, March pulleys, Mac O/R H pipe, Flowmaster orig. 40's, King Cobra clutch, D/S rotors, FRPP 9mm's, Max. Motorsports C/C plates, Termy front control arms, H&R SS springs, MM solid steering rack bushings, Tokico HP struts and shocks, Mac subrames, HID Bi-Xenon 6000k kit, Saleen 18" wheels, Saleen S-281 spoiler, sequential tails
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T5 reverse flaw? 
Usually I come to a complete stop in nuetral, clutch, declutch, then go from 1st to reverse...
