Stiff shifting in the winter

[weidnerl@wwt.net]

I bought this 96 Tracker 4 yrs ago. It had been sitting outside for 2 yrs. Drove it through the winter, then proceeded to change all of the misc. fluids. When I drained the transfer case and transmission, the oil that came out did *not* have the distinctive smell that final drive fluid (75w-85) has. It also came out looking and smelling like engine oil. Looking in the shop manual, it recomends 75w85, so I put in a full synthetic 75-w85. Ever since then, when it gets below 40*, it gets pretty stiff. My driveway has an incline...backing out if I slip it into neutral, it coasts much easier. Acts like the fluid is way to thick for the application. A lot of standard transmissions use ATF or 10w30 engine oil. Has anyone had the stiff feeling that I have and tried ATF or 10w30 engine oil to cure the problem?
TIA
Larry :-)
96' Tracker

[jtgh]

A lot of standard transmissions use ATF or 10w30 engine oil.
FWD cars have ATF, no trucks, ive seen.
never seen engine oil in any tranny (cept motorcycles, at it is a problem there)

the lube in the transmission is GL4 and so is xfr case ,
the lube in the axle is hypoid(stick) GL 5
tranny lube has no smell because is does not require hypoid chems.

can you explain IT gets stiff?
what gets stiff, the shifter or rolling in neutral is stiff,?


the shift extension unit on top of the tranny is not lubricated by the tranny
it must be serviced and lubricated manually.
it also likes to get dirty and the plastic gets bad on the tip and the ball ring.
remove it, clean it, then lube it with light lithium grease. (i can get spec on this if need be)

many people run gl5 in axles and tranny no problem.
and some of the newest lube oil containers state for all GL3 -5 usage.
so in that case (no pun) the lube will stink on all gear sets.
but that is not par for course last 78 years. Ford model A to present.

The reason is the ring gear is hypoid and has huge forces on it that no tranny will ever need or have.
So only GL4 was and is used and is far cheaper than GL5.

But we do have Unified GL3 to 5 lube oil sold at stores. (mostly cheap stuff)

I run Valvoline or any common top brand name of gear oil.
my fsm says 75w-90 is recommended and good to -22F.

if the lever sticks its, dirty broken plastic ,or needs its own lube.

do you need an operator guide for glove box, can send pdf link. its 95 and close.

[weidnerl@wwt.net]

Thanks for the reply, sorry for the late response. My responses to your questions below in Red

Originally Posted by jtgh

A lot of standard transmissions use ATF or 10w30 engine oil.
FWD cars have ATF, no trucks, ive seen.
never seen engine oil in any tranny (cept motorcycles, at it is a problem there)

Well, My 91' Honda Civic and all other ST civics that I have seen use a 10w30 motor oil in the trans. I run 5w40 in mine.



the lube in the transmission is GL4 and so is xfr case ,
the lube in the axle is hypoid(stick) GL 5
tranny lube has no smell because is does not require hypoid chems.

Ah...didn't know that...Thanks


can you explain IT gets stiff?
what gets stiff, the shifter or rolling in neutral is stiff,?
While rolling down my inclined driveway, if I stick the clutch in, it feels like the emergency brake is slightly on. If I slip it into neutral, it feels like I released the emergency brake.





the shift extension unit on top of the tranny is not lubricated by the tranny
it must be serviced and lubricated manually.
it also likes to get dirty and the plastic gets bad on the tip and the ball ring.
remove it, clean it, then lube it with light lithium grease. (i can get spec on this if need be)
Thanks, I'll check that for sure.


many people run gl5 in axles and tranny no problem.
and some of the newest lube oil containers state for all GL3 -5 usage.
so in that case (no pun) the lube will stink on all gear sets.
but that is not par for course last 78 years. Ford model A to present.

The reason is the ring gear is hypoid and has huge forces on it that no tranny will ever need or have.
So only GL4 was and is used and is far cheaper than GL5.

But we do have Unified GL3 to 5 lube oil sold at stores. (mostly cheap stuff)

I run Valvoline or any common top brand name of gear oil.
my fsm says 75w-90 is recommended and good to -22F.

if the lever sticks its, dirty broken plastic ,or needs its own lube.

do you need an operator guide for glove box, can send pdf link. its 95 and close.

No...thanks...operators manual came with the Tracker.

[jtgh]

sorry left out Fwd cars have ATF in a manual tranny. some how that edit missed.
having trouble withpopup videos, overloads, my old laptop processor. arrrgggg...

While rolling down my inclined driveway, if I stick the clutch in, it feels like the emergency brake is slightly on.
If I slip it into neutral, it feels like I released the emergency brake.


now that is really clear, but...?
is "IT" the tranny or the 4wd stick.

is car 4wd, ?

are you in 2wd or 4wd when you do above , pop into neutral. ( 2 neutrals there are)

do you have manual or auto front locking hubs? manual has a dial.

are the hubs locked?

if autos, do you know how to unlock them? or how to find out if they are stuck in locked.

they must unlock ,if you do not want them locked or you will never be happy with
rooling resistance (as your issue really is about)

is the outside temperature -60F or is it 60 F? i have no idea the context of your car.
where is it.?
Nome alaska, we get this all the time in Dec.

repeat test and pop xfr case to neutral.

[jtgh]

Well, My 91' Honda Civic and all other ST civics that I have seen use a 10w30 motor oil in the trans. I run 5w40 in mine.
that's FWD, right.?
a FWD sedan.


the Sidekick has a traditonal RWD and 4wD parttime system with using traditional lubricants.

this is all shown in the glove box , op guide,
need one?