Newbie Clutch Question
 

Hey guys,

I'm new to Mustangs and stick shifts in general. I've noticed recently that every once in a while when I shift into first gear from a stop the gears grind like it would if I dont push the stick all the way into gear and i have to let out the clutch, put it back in and try again because then it usually works. I've been really careful about making sure the clutch pedal is all the way out before I shift so I'm 99.9% sure that its not that. Anybody have any ideas of what it could be or if anything is wrong with my car? My cars got a Steeda Tri-Ax shifter on it if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance guys,
Christian

Well...sounds like your synchros might be bad...just like everyone else. So its normal. Dont worry about it.

Thanks for the reply- I've got another dumb question, whats that mean? haha

In short, synchros are the components of the transmission that match the engine rpms when you're shifting. Try putting it in neutral, releasing the clutch pedal, pushing it back in and then moving to the first gear gate and engaging into first gear. That should keep it from grinding. These transmissions are a little quirky.

Ya mine will sometimes grind when I go to put it in first. Drives me nuts cause that is a sound I don't want to hear.

another thing if could be is if you have your stock clutch adjuster, its plastic and will adjust all the way out so you have to push the clutch to the floor to get a successful shift. Id take a look under your dash to see if the 1/4 a circle plastic thing on the clutch pedal has teeth on the lower half or not. I know when i did mine in the spring it had worn the lower teeth away, plus it was much easier to shift with it correctly adjusted.