It is a manual Mazda transmission, and while the car is moving it is really easy to shift into gears (except 1st if the speed is above 20mph). I changed the gear oil with Castrol Merc/Dext ATF. I replaced the clutch master cylinder and bled it in fully vertical position. The clutch plate moves about 3/8". Haven't replaced the slave yet.
While the car got a little easier to drive, shifting from a dead stop into any gear is still impossible. But here is the kick, if I press the clutch and wait 3 seconds, it shifts like butter EVERY time! If you don't wait the full 3 seconds, and start forcing it, it will never go in, until you back off and wait 3 seconds. It seems like the main shaft in the tranny needs to stop before engaging into gear, and forcing the shifter appears to keep it going.
Can someone please help me diagnose this? I thought I could simply fix the hydraulics and be done, but now I'm starting to think that something is wrong with the transmission.... or is this typical of the Explorer slave cylinder dilemma?
rerun52, you must not be familiar with Fords. The manual calls for Mercon ATF, and I have not replaced the clutch. I can only inspect the pressure plate movement through a hole. And explorers use a hydraulic line to disengage a clutch.
While the car got a little easier to drive, shifting from a dead stop into any gear is still impossible. But here is the kick, if I press the clutch and wait 3 seconds, it shifts like butter EVERY time! If you don't wait the full 3 seconds, and start forcing it, it will never go in, until you back off and wait 3 seconds. It seems like the main shaft in the tranny needs to stop before engaging into gear, and forcing the shifter appears to keep it going.
Can someone please help me diagnose this? I thought I could simply fix the hydraulics and be done, but now I'm starting to think that something is wrong with the transmission.... or is this typical of the Explorer slave cylinder dilemma?
rerun52, you must not be familiar with Fords. The manual calls for Mercon ATF, and I have not replaced the clutch. I can only inspect the pressure plate movement through a hole. And explorers use a hydraulic line to disengage a clutch.