Selecting First Gear

[jwilliams]

I am having a problem with engaging first if the car is moving. I get a grinding feel throught the gear lever, I have not tried to force it but need to be either stationary or moving very slowly (1-2 mph) before it will engage.

 

Has anyone else found this?

 

Have I got a problematic synchomesh?

 

Will I have to entrust the car to ford again to do the work under warranty?

 

Will they crush the sill again?

 

Help!

[Andrew T]

If it goes in easily from a standstill it suggests your clutch isn't dragging so I'd guess it's the synchro starting to complain. Learn to double de-clutch?

[Guest neil_wiles]

The synchro on first is for changing from 1st to 2nd changing from neutral to first eg down or up is not protected and cant be protected so it should not be attempted whilst moving. The principle of the synchro is the graduall transfer of rotational speed from one gear train to the other with tapered sleeves if the gears are not rotating (either driven or driver) then synchro cannot be used.

 

 

 

Try selecting first once staionary and see if it selects without an issue if so there is your answer.

[jwilliams]

Should it change from 2nd to first with no problem then?

[Guest neil_wiles]

Mine clips as it passed into first and I know my original struggled to engage fisrt until at a standstill so it would appear normal, howvever if your fluid is low it may not be clearing the pressure plate when you depress the clutch pedal and this will cause it to grind.

 

 

 

Alternatively the first synchro may be "stuck" onto the drive gear in which case it wont do its job and you will get grinding when your moving and it will be "stuborn" when your stationary.

[jwilliams]

Modified my driving style on the way home and no problems.

 

Think I had been trying to change from 3rd to 1st (being lazy)

 

My old escort used to do this with no problem, on the gal if I engage 2nd it engages 1st easily

 

Thanks for the reassurance I am convinced it is OK now