Difficulty with 2nd gear downshift and reverse (manual)

[driving_for_fun]

It’s “effortless” to downshift into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear including high RPM.

However, I have to use a lot of force to downshift to 2nd. There is a lot of gear noise and vibration as the shift engages. Upshift to 2nd is no problem.

I’ve also encountered the shifter not engaging or popping out from reverse.

Are these just quirks of the manual?

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[VVG_MACH-1]

I have zero issues with all gears, up/downshift on my 23 with 3500 miles. Sounds like you should get the trans checked.

 

[Donm308]

I haven’t had any issues downshifting either. However, ever now and then it doesn’t want to slide into reverse. Almost like I need to roll forward another inch.

22 Mach 1

 

[19gtaz]

I haven’t had any issues downshifting either. However, ever now and then it doesn’t want to slide into reverse. Almost like I need to roll forward another inch.

22 Mach 1

Are you going into a forward gear first before trying reverse? That's what I always do.

 

[Donm308]

Yes, always after driving forward. I back into parking spaces

 

[Gregdd]

I have the reverse issue. Having driven manuals for over 40 years this is nothing new. Just slowly let clutch out while putting a small amount of pressure on shifter. It will drop right in to reverse.

 

[Champale]

It’s “effortless” to downshift into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear including high RPM.

However, I have to use a lot of force to downshift to 2nd. There is a lot of gear noise and vibration as the shift engages. Upshift to 2nd is no problem.

I’ve also encountered the shifter not engaging or popping out from reverse.

Are these just quirks of the manual?

That doesn't sound right at all. Not sure if your symptons are the same, but the GT350 version of the 3160 transmission had some issues. My reverse lockout was intermittently non-functional from the day I picked it up brand new (went with an MGW which I recommend 1,000,000%!).

Issue with GT350 reverse lock out? | 2015+ S550 Mustang Forum (GT, EcoBoost, GT350, GT500, Bullitt, Mach 1) - Mustang6G.com

 

[murick]

That doesn't sound right at all. Not sure if your symptons are the same, but the GT350 version of the 3160 transmission had some issues. My reverse lockout was intermittently non-functional from the day I picked it up brand new (went with an MGW which I recommend 1,000,000%!).

After watching the vid posted by @Epiphany here (https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/issue-with-gt350-reverse-lock-out.123318/post-2577511), about the GT350 shifter issues I believe the issue the OP has is of a different kind.

It might be the shifter issue, even though when looking at the linkage arm I just got out from my Mach 1 it does not seem that the vertical joint has so much leeway as shown in the video (feels pretty tight), but I did not do a real test as George did in the vid - so my observation might not be accurate.

The plastic stud for the reverse lockout may have changed too as there are few here, who experience "grinding noise" in the 2nd gear (I was one of them) and the hypothesis is that the plastic stud is too close to the metal block.

Or the issue might be actually that Tremec is "notchy" by design. Which I realized once I replaced the factory shifter with the MGW Shifter.

 

[Rapid Red]

It’s “effortless” to downshift into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear including high RPM.

However, I have to use a lot of force to downshift to 2nd. There is a lot of gear noise and vibration as the shift engages. Upshift to 2nd is no problem.

I’ve also encountered the shifter not engaging or popping out from reverse.

Are these just quirks of the manual?

NO !

How could you think that I am wondering

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

1) Reverse issue: Mine does not go into reverse sometimes, this is normal for Manual Transmission vehicle. The solution per the manual go back to neutral lift clutch and try again. I also find it helps if you shift to second then try Reverse again.

2) Reverse popping out: never encountered this but I did once have 1st gear pop out. This happened because I did not push it into first like a man, I shifted to first with a Thong on. So make sure you push it into the Reverse all the way, if it still pops then there is an issue for sure.

3) 2nd gear hard to downshift: I does seem like a good amount of force is needed, its normal for this transmission, it desires some additional effort from user. I find that as the miles rack up its getting smoother and smoother though. How many miles you got?

Curious are you trying to listen to it on a quiet night? If so yes it is pretty loud but normal.

 

[driving_for_fun]

I adjusted my downshift movement to follow the H pattern instead of pulling it diagonally. That helped with the shift engagement.

There is still quite a lot if gear noise as 2nd gear engages. It’s not a grinding or crunch sound, just NVH from the gears spinning. Doesn’t matter if I double clutch.

 

[driving_for_fun]

1) Reverse issue: Mine does not go into reverse sometimes, this is normal for Manual Transmission vehicle. The solution per the manual go back to neutral lift clutch and try again. I also find it helps if you shift to second then try Reverse again.

2) Reverse popping out: never encountered this but I did once have 1st gear pop out. This happened because I did not push it into first like a man, I shifted to first with a Thong on. So make sure you push it into the Reverse all the way, if it still pops then there is an issue for sure.

3) 2nd gear hard to downshift: I does seem like a good amount of force is needed, its normal for this transmission, it desires some additional effort from user. I find that as the miles rack up its getting smoother and smoother though. How many miles you got?

Curious are you trying to listen to it on a quiet night? If so yes it is pretty loud but normal.

I have 15k miles. The gear spinning noise from shifting to 2nd is most noticeable at night. Will try to record a video demonstrating it.

 

[sakman84]

I have 15k miles. The gear spinning noise from shifting to 2nd is most noticeable at night. Will try to record a video demonstrating it.

Sounds travel a lot farther through cold air, and cold temps on the trans parts at night probably make your noises more noticeable.

Try pulling up on the reverse lockout collar on the shifter while in gear. I think you will find that that piece is a significant source of NVH. 2nd gear is my noisiest gear too. I didn't notice it until I saw another thread on this issue, so I did this and yeah it sounds a lot "cleaner" with the collar pulled up.

I changed the fluid in my trans to redline D4 and I'm much happier with it. With 15K miles I figure you should give a thicker fluid a try, the Camaro guys with the Tremec tend to run thicker fluid compared to our factory fills. Remember, the manufacturers are totally prepared to chase MPG numbers with super thin fluids, and will sacrifice NVH and feel for this, thanks to Uncle Sam.

Here is a detail thread about alternative fills

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/transmission-fluid-recommendation-for-manual.180972/
#10

 

[paulm1]

Are you using rev matching or heal & toe to downshift?

 

[xcm77]

It’s “effortless” to downshift into 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear including high RPM.

However, I have to use a lot of force to downshift to 2nd. There is a lot of gear noise and vibration as the shift engages. Upshift to 2nd is no problem.

I’ve also encountered the shifter not engaging or popping out from reverse.

Are these just quirks of the manual?

2020 Bullitt with an MT-82 here bought new and had this exact "issue" from the get go. I'm currently at 54k km. Fresh tranny fluid (Ravenol MTF-2) made no difference. I guess it's just a feature

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