I need some help if y'all can assist me. So I've got a 1990 ford ranger 5 speed 2.3. Recently I started having trouble getting it to shift into 1st and reverse when truck is on , like there's something blocking it, and it's not an the time... When I cut it off it's smooth going into all gears, no problem. I don't force it ever. I have read a different discussion on here, same exact problem and they explained everything in great detail and said the system needed bleeding too remove air. Ok so my next thing is tho when I push in the clutch, at times, it is making an almost grinding noise now. Sounds like it's coming from tranny. I've read different things about that. So my question is (they both started at the same time so whatever is going on has to be related I would think).... What would be causing this and how do I fix both issues? Any answers and advice would be awesome...... Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, your clutch system has air in it, so when the clutch pedal is down to the floor the clutch disc is still rubbing on the flywheel, not fully disengaged

The transmission can't be disconnected from the rear wheels, so the transmission is ALWAYS spinning as the same speed as the rear wheels
When you are stopped that is 0 RPMs

Flywheel is ALWAYS spinning at engine RPMs at idle that is 750rpms

The clutch is there to disconnect engine from transmission

When you are stopped the transmission is a 0 RPM
So to put transmission into ANY gear the clutch disc must also be at 0 RPMs
When you press down the clutch pedal fluid goes into the slave cylinder to expand it, this pulls back the pressure plate that holds clutch disc against the Flywheel
So Clutch disc can slow down to 0 RPMs
But if slave does not expand enough then clutch disc will rub on flywheel and can not slow down to 0 RPMs
So you can't put transmission in gear

If it slows down enough you can push shifter past the Synchro mesh "washer" and will hear grinding
So same problem for BOTH, no shift and grinding shift

So you have air in the system, or a failing Master, slaves don't usually fail, well they will leak it they are failing and you don't mention that

Air can get trapped at the top of the Master cylinder, because it sits at a steep angle
You need to pull it out and flip it upside down to bleed it that way

 

Thanks RonD! You answered somebody else on one of the threads that was having the same problem, so you're who I was talking about giving detail. Well how do I get it out and bleed it? On that other thread a guy said there's a video on YouTube that shows you "the only way" to do it but didn't leave a link or anything. I appreciate your time man!