manual transmission hard to shift

FORD MUSTANG
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BAMABABE1234
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I am driving a 1996 Ford Mustang. For about the last two weeks by car has been hard to put into gear. Not all the time, mainly when I am at a dead stop. I do not hear a grinding noise or anything when it does not go into gear. With a little muscle I can get into gear. I replaced the clutch and the throw out bearing in 2004.

Could it just need some lube? do you think my clutch might going out? I hear a little noise when I press the clutch in... not a grinding noise... more like a Sqreach.
Aug 13, 2006 at 9:48 AM
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HARMANKARDON35
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your clutch might not be dis-engaging properly. Does the vehichle creep while in gear? I would also reccomend changing the transmission oil, with a good quality oil such as Pennzoil Synchromesh. I have had good luck with this product in many manual ford vehichles, including 2001 F-150 and a 99 escort zx2. Ford likes to put ATF in their manual transmissions wich is not the greatest lubricant, but its cheaper to put the same fluid in both types of transmissions at the factory, so thats why its done.
Aug 14, 2006 at 4:46 PM
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BAMABABE1234
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No it doesn't Creep. It jsut takes a little muscle to put it in gear from time to time. No grinding or anything.

I will have the oil changed tomorrow.... thanks.
Aug 14, 2006 at 4:49 PM
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320HPPONY?
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First off,don't ever put ATF into a manual tranny.No lubrication qualities for one and ATF fluid has detergents in it that are suppost to keep an automatics valvebody clean and working properly.You need heavy duty gear oil.And "babe" you might want to check your clutch cable,it might be stretched or starting to fray.A new one will run about $65 and is fairly simple to install.You could also try to adjust your peddle by pulling it up.Some years of mustangs have a "ratchet" type peddle that can be adjusted by just pulling them up,some unfortunantly dont and you have to adjust it by big plastic adjuster on the firewall.But yeah it sounds like you arent fully engauging the clutch when you push the peddle down.Hopefully you have a "ratchet" peddle and can remedy the problem by just pulling the peddle up a few times but that will only buy you a month or so and you'll probably have to buy a new clutch cable anyway.Good Luck hun!
Aug 15, 2006 at 1:40 AM