Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Trans POPS and BANGS out of 1st occasionally

Title says it all any ideas? Could the fluid be not allowing it to sync correctley? I have a mix of redline and ATF in there (long story) but it will be all dumped soon and replaced with Ford honey (easier to get then redline) and FM when it comes in. I'm going to remove the SOS system I installed and check the cables to make sure they engine isn't rocking pulling it out of gear. First gear just seems like it barely catches and if I double clutch it helps but everyonce in a while it feels soft when in first and sure enough BANG! it pops out and the engine revs; putting right back in it takes off like normal. WTF? I'm hoping the fluid change makes the difference.

Popping out of gear is usually caused by worn trust washers/high shaft end play. It can also be caused by worn shift forks and bent linkage. The bad news is that once it starts it wonâ??t get better and requires the repair of the cause and replacement of the gear and syncros.

jeff

I have the same problem,

A mechanic friend says it can be one of 6 things. 5 of them are really bad, the other is a problem with the shifter getting into the proper place (he said there is this bally thing at the bottom of the shifter that goes into these holes to lock it into gear and if the slot is worn it won't go in right or something??)

If anyone has had this problem and fixed it your input would be appreciated!

Your cable adjustment may not be right. With the trans in neutral and the shifter centered, both lever on the shift tower should be vertical, not tilted and the cables should be adjusted so they are tensioned or compressed while in this position.

Yep, like Stazi said, I'd look at the cables.