Tremec shifter into 5th not smooth?

[murick]

After reading the responses here I realized, I might have been misleading by using the word "grinding" in this context. What I meant was that it felt like the control rod (linkage rod) of the transmission did not move smoothly along its travel when moving the stick forward (which would effectively make the rod to be moving backwards) while pushing it to right. When I try intentionally to avoid the right push, the shifting gets smoother.

I also believe that MGW Shifter is much less forgiving than factory shifter as I did not have the same feeling (or I do not remember) with the factory shifter. Also the shifting was not as notchy as it is with the MGW. This however should be expected considering the design differences in both shifters - the factory shifter has several "joints" which could dampen or mask any irregularities, while MGW is as direct as it gets.

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[JetGray_Mach1]

LOL yep I know what you mean, mine does the same. Its normal. As long as there is no grinding or difficulty getting it in its fine. BTW it will get smoother as it breaks in more.

 

[Mach1Kid96]

LOL yep I know what you mean, mine does the same. Its normal. As long as there is no grinding or difficulty getting it in its fine. BTW it will get smoother as it breaks in more.

I can attest to that! 2012 Boss 302 with 110k miles on it! Shifts like butter! Joking aside, I agree with that. With miles, everything settles and wears in.

After reading the responses here I realized, I might have been misleading by using the word "grinding" in this context. What I meant was that it felt like the control rod (linkage rod) of the transmission did not move smoothly along its travel when moving the stick forward (which would effectively make the rod to be moving backwards) while pushing it to right. When I try intentionally to avoid the right push, the shifting gets smoother.

I also believe that MGW Shifter is much less forgiving than factory shifter as I did not have the same feeling (or I do not remember) with the factory shifter. Also the shifting was not as notchy as it is with the MGW. This however should be expected considering the design differences in both shifters - the factory shifter has several "joints" which could dampen or mask any irregularities, while MGW is as direct as it gets.

Yep! Agree with this synopsis 100%!

 

[McSkillet]

Hey guys. I need some feedback from the 6- speed owners.

I absolutely love the Tremec. But after having my M1 for about 1k miles now (4500 total on the car), I've noticed that sometimes the shift into 5th gear doesn't always transition smoothly like the other gears. It doesn't bite the gear, rather it just feels to me like maybe something in the linkage is just slightly off. I can only describe it as a feeling in the shifter like you are going around a rough corner or a notch as it goes into 5th on the up shift. It never happens on the downshift from 6th to 5th. It's seems to happen about 50% of the time and doesn't seem to matter if the car is hot or cold. If you go slow and "guide" it over and up it doesn't happen. The rest of the gear shifts are butter smooth.

I realize this probably sounds extra picky lol. I'm just curious if this happens to anyone else, or if its maybe part of the normal break in process, or if it's something I should consider getting looked at under warranty.

Same here going into 5th... 2023 M1 with less than 3000 miles. However, it seems it does it when I shift "normally" vs a lil' aggressive to aggressive. I had a 2016 Holden that would do this when shifting into 2nd gear, but it happened more before the transmission had been warmed up enough. Oddly enough, my wife's 2015 Holden is buttery smooth at any temp.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Same here going into 5th... 2023 M1 with less than 3000 miles. However, it seems it does it when I shift "normally" vs a lil' aggressive to aggressive. I had a 2016 Holden that would do this when shifting into 2nd gear, but it happened more before the transmission had been warmed up enough. Oddly enough, my wife's 2015 Holden is buttery smooth at any temp.

Interesting about shifting normally vs aggressive. Now that you mention it, it does seem to happen more with casual slow driving vs "spirited" driving lol.

 

[Mach1Kaos]

Actually, I don't think it's a synchro at all. The gears never bite or grind. It feels like something in the shift linkage to me, but i could be wrong. IPOGT's description of "gritty" seems accurate.

@AZ_Ryan


Glad I found this thread! I’ve been having this exact same issue on my '23 Mach 1. Every so often, it feels like I’m hitting slight resistance or nub when trying to shift from 4th into 5th. The car only has 9,500 miles and the shifter is completely stock. It’s driving me crazy did you ever get an answer on what’s going on?

Im glad I am not the only one that experienced this problem.

 

[Nickel]

@AZ_Ryan


Glad I found this thread! I’ve been having this exact same issue on my '23 Mach 1. Every so often, it feels like I’m hitting slight resistance or nub when trying to shift from 4th into 5th. The car only has 9,500 miles and the shifter is completely stock. It’s driving me crazy did you ever get an answer on what’s going on?

Im glad I am not the only one that experienced this problem.

It's still under warranty, I'd take it to Ford instead of trying to DIY. I don't have the issue but I can say that I took it to Ford at 8k miles and dumped the factory fill with some new stuff because I was in the area. Could be a low fluid issue.

 

[Mach1Kaos]

It's still under warranty, I'd take it to Ford instead of trying to DIY. I don't have the issue but I can say that I took it to Ford at 8k miles and dumped the factory fill with some new stuff because I was in the area. Could be a low fluid issue.

Thank you for your response and the help ! I’m really hoping it’s something simple. The TR-3160 is known for its reliability and feel, so when I started noticing intermittent roughness, I knew something wasn’t right.

My worry is if I bring it to Ford, they’ll say they can’t replicate it or that it’s “normal.” But since you’re not experiencing the same issue, it sounds like this isn’t normal behavior. I see other posts with people experiencing similar issues with no resolution or updates. I wonder if they just gave up lol.

 

[skinnyb]

Mine nibbles a little bit when its cold, but not just 5th, it is "notchy" especially since i did the MGW shifter. It got better when I changed the fluid a while back (Amsoil Signature ATF), I just attribute it to the nature of this box, it definitely is more direct than any MT82 I have ever driven.

 

[RTFM]

Mine does it more in lower gears, 3 and 2, and even 1st gear from stop. Had the gearbox expert at the local Ford dealership try it out and ride with me too. Told me to take the car more often to the hills, and break it in a bit more. And switch gears more “aggressively”.
3000 miles later, it is still doing it but maybe a bit less.
It’s a far cry from the butter experience I had with the Track Attack car, but I am sure those cars were indeed driven aggressively by everyone.

 

[Mach1Kaos]

Mine nibbles a little bit when its cold, but not just 5th, it is "notchy" especially since i did the MGW shifter. It got better when I changed the fluid a while back (Amsoil Signature ATF), I just attribute it to the nature of this box, it definitely is more direct than any MT82 I have ever driven.

Mine does it during normal acceleration when I shift into 5th; not when I’m getting on it, and not when I’m banging gears. It almost feels like there’s a small obstruction “nibble” in the gate that you have to work pass. It happens whether the car is cold or warm.

I did notice that if I move my arm so it’s more directly lined up with the gate, it doesn’t really do it, so it could partly be technique too lol.

I’m going to take your guys’ recommendations and bring it to Ford, hopefully starting with a fluid change and working through it by process of elimination. I also read that 5th gear doesn’t use synchros, so I’m hoping it’s not a bad synchro in that case.

 

[Mach1Kaos]

Mine does it more in lower gears, 3 and 2, and even 1st gear from stop. Had the gearbox expert at the local Ford dealership try it out and ride with me too. Told me to take the car more often to the hills, and break it in a bit more. And switch gears more “aggressively”.
3000 miles later, it is still doing it but maybe a bit less.
It’s a far cry from the butter experience I had with the Track Attack car, but I am sure those cars were indeed driven aggressively by everyone.

Interesting.. did he recommend a fluid change as well?

Thank you for everyone response BTW. I really appreciate all the help.

 

[Nickel]

Thank you for your response and the help ! I’m really hoping it’s something simple. The TR-3160 is known for its reliability and feel, so when I started noticing intermittent roughness, I knew something wasn’t right.

My worry is if I bring it to Ford, they’ll say they can’t replicate it or that it’s “normal.” But since you’re not experiencing the same issue, it sounds like this isn’t normal behavior. I see other posts with people experiencing similar issues with no resolution or updates. I wonder if they just gave up lol.

If you were local within a couple hours, I'd be more than happy to switch off and let us compare the cars. It is curious as to why you're having the issue. I've driven a few Tremecs. 350's and 350R's, and they all feel a tad different. Especially with the MGW shifter, my friend's 350 feels almost like it has no fluid in it or something.

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

My cousins gt350 felt similar, but when you go to 2nd gear. Felt like something was rubbing or something. Was weird.

 

[RTFM]

Interesting.. did he recommend a fluid change as well?

I suggested it in passing b/c somebody here in the forums had said it could help. But he politely dismissed the idea.

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