New member transmission question

71torino · May 5th, 2011, 01:14 AM

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and I have a quick question about my new car. I just bought a 89 lx hatchback with a 2.3 and overall I'm very happy with it. It has some rust but everything else is in really good shape. The interior is in really nice shape, its been well maintained, and it has 75,000 miles of "grandpa" miles. The only thing I'm worried about is the transmission. It goes into reverse fine, but when i put it into drive it engages really hard. As far as I know its the stock trans, and it shifts fine driving down the road. I checked the u-joints and they look fine and I'm sure it doesn't have a shift kit. Is this something I should worry about? Thanks.

I'll post a picture of my car after I get over the post limit.

71torino · May 5th, 2011, 01:15 AM

here's a picture of my car

Mikel89us · May 5th, 2011, 03:03 AM

These cars tend to have a rather stiff shift. A hard shift into gear is better than a soft one. If they get soft it will most likely need rebuilt. Unless by hard you mean it takes a while, then it could be like mine was and need a new trans fluid filter.

Mikel89us · May 5th, 2011, 03:03 AM

And welcome to MM!!!! Nice clean car.

blaten22 · May 5th, 2011, 09:02 PM

Would do a Fluid, Filter change and do a band adjustment.

nxcoupe · May 7th, 2011, 10:16 PM

If it's not slipping between gear changes, then it is probably ok and just leave it alone.

71torino · May 8th, 2011, 10:15 PM

Thanks for the info. I've been driving it everyday this week and it seems to be fine. It goes into third hard too but nothing to severe.

jjpluml · May 17th, 2011, 04:45 PM

my 92 does the same thing. Think its normal for these cars. like they said above, i wouldnt worry ab it until it starts slipping

zonker · May 17th, 2011, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by blaten22

Would do a Fluid, Filter change and do a band adjustment.

+1

Mikel89us · May 17th, 2011, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by blaten22

Would do a Fluid, Filter change and do a band adjustment.

Fluid and filter isnt a bad idea, but the band adjustment is totally unnecessary unless it slips while shifting into, or driving in 2nd gear. That is the only time the band gets used.

zonker · May 18th, 2011, 04:13 AM

there are 2 bands to adjust, the intermediate band (2nd gear) and the overdrive band (4th gear). if you have any shifting issues from 1-2 or 2-3 and 3-4 then band adjustment of both bands is not a bad idea.

oem method of band adjustment is tightening the band screw to 10 ft lbs, then backing off 2 full turns.

another way to do it is put the trans in N and with the wheels off the ground and the brake not set, tighten the band screw until you can no longer freely turn the driveshaft by hand, then back it off 3/4 turn.

May 5th, 2011, 01:14 AM	#1
71torino Newbie 89 lx Mustang Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 3 iTrader: 0 reviews	New member transmission question Hi, I'm new to the forum and I have a quick question about my new car. I just bought a 89 lx hatchback with a 2.3 and overall I'm very happy with it. It has some rust but everything else is in really good shape. The interior is in really nice shape, its been well maintained, and it has 75,000 miles of "grandpa" miles. The only thing I'm worried about is the transmission. It goes into reverse fine, but when i put it into drive it engages really hard. As far as I know its the stock trans, and it shifts fine driving down the road. I checked the u-joints and they look fine and I'm sure it doesn't have a shift kit. Is this something I should worry about? Thanks. I'll post a picture of my car after I get over the post limit.

May 5th, 2011, 03:03 AM	#3
Mikel89us Regular 1991 Mustang 2.3L 11:42 @ 61 in the 1/8th Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 362 iTrader: 0 reviews	These cars tend to have a rather stiff shift. A hard shift into gear is better than a soft one. If they get soft it will most likely need rebuilt. Unless by hard you mean it takes a while, then it could be like mine was and need a new trans fluid filter. __________________ 1991 Mustang LX 2.3L 5 Speed convert 1989 Ranger 4X4 2.3L 5 Speed Entire turbo kit waiting to be used again.

May 5th, 2011, 03:03 AM	#4
Mikel89us Regular 1991 Mustang 2.3L 11:42 @ 61 in the 1/8th Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 362 iTrader: 0 reviews	And welcome to MM!!!! Nice clean car. __________________ 1991 Mustang LX 2.3L 5 Speed convert 1989 Ranger 4X4 2.3L 5 Speed Entire turbo kit waiting to be used again.

May 7th, 2011, 10:16 PM	#6
nxcoupe Regular Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 181 iTrader: 0 reviews	If it's not slipping between gear changes, then it is probably ok and just leave it alone. __________________ 90 GT 393 5 spd, 467 rwhp 480 rwtq 92 coupe, R/S 308 5 spd 93 coupe, 2.3 5 spd

May 17th, 2011, 04:45 PM	#8
jjpluml Regular 1987 5.0 HO, 1984 SVO Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: arkansas Posts: 87 iTrader: 0 reviews	my 92 does the same thing. Think its normal for these cars. like they said above, i wouldnt worry ab it until it starts slipping __________________ 92' lx 2.3 bone stock dd trunk car 84 SVO with a few bolt ons 87 gt project with a whole bunch of shit thrown at it and a lil juice...

May 5th, 2011, 01:15 AM	#2
71torino Newbie 89 lx Mustang Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 3 iTrader: 0 reviews	here's a picture of my car

May 8th, 2011, 10:15 PM	#7
71torino Newbie 89 lx Mustang Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 3 iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for the info. I've been driving it everyday this week and it seems to be fine. It goes into third hard too but nothing to severe.

May 18th, 2011, 04:13 AM	#11
zonker Enthusiast 1991 Mustang LX 2.3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 660 iTrader: 0 reviews	there are 2 bands to adjust, the intermediate band (2nd gear) and the overdrive band (4th gear). if you have any shifting issues from 1-2 or 2-3 and 3-4 then band adjustment of both bands is not a bad idea. oem method of band adjustment is tightening the band screw to 10 ft lbs, then backing off 2 full turns. another way to do it is put the trans in N and with the wheels off the ground and the brake not set, tighten the band screw until you can no longer freely turn the driveshaft by hand, then back it off 3/4 turn. __________________ Rob 1987 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (T5) project 2.5 N/A HP 1991 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (A4LD) 1992 Mustang 2.3 LX Convert (A4LD) 41.52 mpg!! 1994 Capri XR2 1.6 Turbo Convert 1999 ZX2 S/R 2.0 Coupe http://zxtuner.com

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