clutch grabbing 3rd

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 09:56 AM

When shifting from high rpm into third, it takes a pause when grabbing 3rd gear. Could this possibly be an adjustment issue? I'm going to put a tad bit more slack in the pedal because there is almost none right now and see how that goes.
Could it also be the POS ram HDX clutch though? Thinking about going to a McLeod...

stal94gt · November 24th, 2011, 11:33 AM

more likely it is axle binde or you have issues with fuel pressure from the returnless fuel system. try doing a wot shift and see if it hits hard.

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 12:05 PM

If it was in the fuel system wouldn't it do it in 1st to 2nd also?

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 12:16 PM

It only does it from 2nd to 3rd at WOT is what I meant to say...

bulloch27 · November 24th, 2011, 12:44 PM

Are you saying that there is a mechanical pause blocking your from shifting or an engine hesitation on the shift? I understand you to be having a mechanical block. If i'm understanding the problem correctly it sounds as if you're not getting complete disengagement of the clutch during the shift. Either your shift/clutch timing is off or your not depressing the clutch pedal far enough to disengage. If your engage/disengage point on the pedal is near the top of it's travel your on a good start. When I go to the track I move my seat forward about two inches to guarantee I completely disengage and don't have a problem getting it into gear. Try moving your seat forward and see how it goes. Moving the pedal disengagement point lower will only magnify the problem.

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by bulloch27

Are you saying that there is a mechanical pause blocking your from shifting or an engine hesitation on the shift? I understand you to be having a mechanical block. If i'm understanding the problem correctly it sounds as if you're not getting complete disengagement of the clutch during the shift. Either your shift/clutch timing is off or your not depressing the clutch pedal far enough to disengage. If your engage/disengage point on the pedal is near the top of it's travel your on a good start. When I go to the track I move my seat forward about two inches to guarantee I completely disengage and don't have a problem getting it into gear. Try moving your seat forward and see how it goes. Moving the pedal disengagement point lower will only magnify the problem.

My tuner said I actually need a little more slack in it. He said I had it too tight against the fork causing it to slip on the dyno before we made a slight adjustment.
It's definitely not an engine hesitation. Maybe I just need to play with it a little more. Still getting used to this blower.

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by bulloch27

Are you saying that there is a mechanical pause blocking your from shifting or an engine hesitation on the shift? I understand you to be having a mechanical block. If i'm understanding the problem correctly it sounds as if you're not getting complete disengagement of the clutch during the shift. Either your shift/clutch timing is off or your not depressing the clutch pedal far enough to disengage. If your engage/disengage point on the pedal is near the top of it's travel your on a good start. When I go to the track I move my seat forward about two inches to guarantee I completely disengage and don't have a problem getting it into gear. Try moving your seat forward and see how it goes. Moving the pedal disengagement point lower will only magnify the problem.

If it was pushing on the fork too hard then it isn't disengaging properly anyway. I'm starting to think I need to readjust it some.
Also sick of this adjustable cable. Need to go to ford and get an OEM cable.

bulloch27 · November 24th, 2011, 01:38 PM

If you have the clutch adjusted so tightly that it's allowing the clutch to slip you absolutely need to loosen it up. The way I adjust them is to add tension to the cable and/or firewall adjuster until the TOB barely touches the fingers on the pressure plate, then add about another half turn on the firewall adjuster.

If your's was so tight that it was slipping it doesn't sound like the adjustment is the issue, although it could be that you just aren't depressing the pedal far enough and at the exact time to allow engagement of third gear. I can tell you that I have trouble getting into third every time I don't slide my seat forward 2".

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by bulloch27

If you have the clutch adjusted so tightly that it's allowing the clutch to slip you absolutely need to loosen it up. The way I adjust them is to add tension to the cable and/or firewall adjuster until the TOB barely touches the fingers on the pressure plate, then add about another half turn on the firewall adjuster.

If your's was so tight that it was slipping it doesn't sound like the adjustment is the issue, although it could be that you just aren't depressing the pedal far enough and at the exact time to allow engagement of third gear. I can tell you that I have trouble getting into third every time I don't slide my seat forward 2".

I'm about to make a 30 mile trip to my aunts house. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the info man.

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 03:00 PM

Well adjusted the clutch. And moved my seat up. Lol clutch felt smoother and moving the seat up was surprising a little more comfortable. Idk which one made a difference. I just never had this issue until now lol

bulloch27 · November 24th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Yep. I'll frig the 2-3 shift up every time if I try to powershift with the seat back.

Theredmist · November 24th, 2011, 05:34 PM

I had a very similar problem with my car just before I lost syncros for 3rd gear. Clutch was fine and no matter the adjustment did the same thing. I bought an adjustable clutch cable, firewall adjuster and mm clutch quad trying to fix it and it did nothing for it. I hope your issue is different but after a while she started grinding 3rd and I dropped the tranny and had it rebuilt. I also took the opportunity to ditch the stock clutch and install a center force df clutch. Good luck!!!

brody904 · November 24th, 2011, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Theredmist

I had a very similar problem with my car just before I lost syncros for 3rd gear. Clutch was fine and no matter the adjustment did the same thing. I bought an adjustable clutch cable, firewall adjuster and mm clutch quad trying to fix it and it did nothing for it. I hope your issue is different but after a while she started grinding 3rd and I dropped the tranny and had it rebuilt. I also took the opportunity to ditch the stock clutch and install a center force df clutch. Good luck!!!

I got it to grab now. Not sure the exact issue. Maybe its me getting used to it idk. Hope the tranny isn't going. It only has 89k on it.

mattrotten · November 26th, 2011, 12:38 AM

sounds like a bent clutch fork. had the same issue.

November 24th, 2011, 09:56 AM	#1
brody904 Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Mustang GT 12.9@113 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 1,659 iTrader: 3 reviews	clutch grabbing 3rd When shifting from high rpm into third, it takes a pause when grabbing 3rd gear. Could this possibly be an adjustment issue? I'm going to put a tad bit more slack in the pedal because there is almost none right now and see how that goes. Could it also be the POS ram HDX clutch though? Thinking about going to a McLeod... __________________ Blown 390rwhp, 389ft-lbs at 11.9psi (See garage)

November 24th, 2011, 11:33 AM	#2
stal94gt I Post Entirely Way Too Much 2003 mustang v6 ;) slow Join Date: May 2010 Location: eglin afb florida Posts: 10,197 iTrader: 2 reviews	more likely it is axle binde or you have issues with fuel pressure from the returnless fuel system. try doing a wot shift and see if it hits hard. __________________ bone stock from the factory!

November 24th, 2011, 12:05 PM	#3
brody904 Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Mustang GT 12.9@113 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 1,659 iTrader: 3 reviews	If it was in the fuel system wouldn't it do it in 1st to 2nd also? __________________ Blown 390rwhp, 389ft-lbs at 11.9psi (See garage)

November 24th, 2011, 12:16 PM	#4
brody904 Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Mustang GT 12.9@113 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 1,659 iTrader: 3 reviews	It only does it from 2nd to 3rd at WOT is what I meant to say... __________________ Blown 390rwhp, 389ft-lbs at 11.9psi (See garage)

November 24th, 2011, 12:44 PM	#5
bulloch27 Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 Mustang Fauxbra N/T @ Fast Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 2,879 iTrader: 0 reviews	Are you saying that there is a mechanical pause blocking your from shifting or an engine hesitation on the shift? I understand you to be having a mechanical block. If i'm understanding the problem correctly it sounds as if you're not getting complete disengagement of the clutch during the shift. Either your shift/clutch timing is off or your not depressing the clutch pedal far enough to disengage. If your engage/disengage point on the pedal is near the top of it's travel your on a good start. When I go to the track I move my seat forward about two inches to guarantee I completely disengage and don't have a problem getting it into gear. Try moving your seat forward and see how it goes. Moving the pedal disengagement point lower will only magnify the problem. __________________ All the typical bolt-ons, well a lot are welded on. Bone stock I tell ya. First time at the track, what do I do now? 03 Silver Fauxbra; 06 Legend Lime GT, 89 Outwlaw 10.5W Coupe, 93 Teal Cobra, 93 Red GT, 93 Teal LX - All Sold

November 24th, 2011, 01:38 PM	#8
bulloch27 Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 Mustang Fauxbra N/T @ Fast Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 2,879 iTrader: 0 reviews	If you have the clutch adjusted so tightly that it's allowing the clutch to slip you absolutely need to loosen it up. The way I adjust them is to add tension to the cable and/or firewall adjuster until the TOB barely touches the fingers on the pressure plate, then add about another half turn on the firewall adjuster. If your's was so tight that it was slipping it doesn't sound like the adjustment is the issue, although it could be that you just aren't depressing the pedal far enough and at the exact time to allow engagement of third gear. I can tell you that I have trouble getting into third every time I don't slide my seat forward 2". __________________ All the typical bolt-ons, well a lot are welded on. Bone stock I tell ya. First time at the track, what do I do now? 03 Silver Fauxbra; 06 Legend Lime GT, 89 Outwlaw 10.5W Coupe, 93 Teal Cobra, 93 Red GT, 93 Teal LX - All Sold

November 24th, 2011, 03:00 PM	#10
brody904 Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Mustang GT 12.9@113 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 1,659 iTrader: 3 reviews	Well adjusted the clutch. And moved my seat up. Lol clutch felt smoother and moving the seat up was surprising a little more comfortable. Idk which one made a difference. I just never had this issue until now lol __________________ Blown 390rwhp, 389ft-lbs at 11.9psi (See garage)

November 24th, 2011, 04:55 PM	#11
bulloch27 Hardcore Enthusiast 2003 Mustang Fauxbra N/T @ Fast Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Statesboro, Ga Posts: 2,879 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yep. I'll frig the 2-3 shift up every time if I try to powershift with the seat back. __________________ All the typical bolt-ons, well a lot are welded on. Bone stock I tell ya. First time at the track, what do I do now? 03 Silver Fauxbra; 06 Legend Lime GT, 89 Outwlaw 10.5W Coupe, 93 Teal Cobra, 93 Red GT, 93 Teal LX - All Sold

November 24th, 2011, 05:34 PM	#12
Theredmist Regular 2002 mustang gt Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lapeer, MI Posts: 71 iTrader: 0 reviews	I had a very similar problem with my car just before I lost syncros for 3rd gear. Clutch was fine and no matter the adjustment did the same thing. I bought an adjustable clutch cable, firewall adjuster and mm clutch quad trying to fix it and it did nothing for it. I hope your issue is different but after a while she started grinding 3rd and I dropped the tranny and had it rebuilt. I also took the opportunity to ditch the stock clutch and install a center force df clutch. Good luck!!! __________________ 3.90 gears, k&n intake, pypes catless midpipe and violator catback, ford racing springs, steeda triaxe short throw, back seat delete, sct tuner/ bama tune, centerforce df clutch, and other things aswell

November 26th, 2011, 12:38 AM	#14
mattrotten Regular Black 2003 Gt 5spd 2hrs@46mph Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 391 iTrader: 1 reviews	sounds like a bent clutch fork. had the same issue.

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