I have manual 5 speed v6 2008 ford mustang with 172,000 + miles, recently while driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I could not shift my car into gear and got stuck in traffic. After about 20 minutes, while I attempted constantly to get it into gear, I was able to get it 2nd gear and returned home. Afterwards I am able to get it into gear but the gear shifting feels a little harder at times? I did notice a slight noise when I place it into reverse? Not sure if it's related to the transmission or clutch related items, all the fluid levels are good and it has no leaks from the clutch system related parts, I also changed the transmission fluid. Based on the symptoms that I have described, what do you think needs to be repaired and and/or replaced? Thank you for your help and suggestions.

 

It sounds like you have a problem within the clutch hydraulic system (master or slave cylinder).

 

Ok, are there any test I can do in order to narrow it down further? Thanks for your suggestions.

 

Does the clutch pedal feel spongy or inconsistent (sometimes soft, sometimes very firm) when you depress it.
If you haven't inspected the clutch hydraulic system underneath the car yet, you might want to. It could be weeping fluid from a small spot and if fluid can get out, air can get in. I believe the line in between the master and slave cylinders is plastic and that can degrade with age.

 

The clutch pedal feels ok, it does not feel spongy or inconsistent when I depress it. I did lift the car in my garage and did a visual inspection of the external parts of the clutch-transmission. I do not see any fluid leaks from the master cylinder and the level is good. I also did not see any fluid leaks from the transmission. Additionally, I also inspected the clutch pedal under the dash, and everything appears tight. I also visually inspected the shift linkages that connect to the transmission and again it looks good and tight.

 

OK, then it seems that the clutch friction plate has probably worn out. How many miles has the car done since the last clutch replacement? At 172k miles, I expect it's been done at least once and it could be due for another.

 

That's a good question. When I purchased the car during March 2021 with 166,230 miles, the owner did not know if the clutch had been replaced! He only shared that the person he purchased the car from was an elderly couple. So, you suggest that the clutch needs to be replaced based on the symptoms that I have described?