23 Bronco Manual Transmission Concerns

[Uila6g]

I just bought a 23 manual bronco black diamond. It was a sweet deal. Less than 20k miles on it and I looked at the service history as well. There’s been no issues just regular maintenance. However, my shifter is super clunky and stiff even when I have the clutch all the way down to the floor (I also just learned how to drive manual so I’ve had a few hiccups). Also when I press my clutch in I can hear the gears knocking or grinding sometimes and it bucks at times from 1st to 2nd. Has anyone else encountered this? I plan to take it in to get the transmission checked just in case.

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[kodiakisland]

Without driving it it's hard to say if the stiffness you experience is normal or not. As far as the bucking, unfortunately that has been reported by many of us on the 21-22 models but haven't really seen anyone complain much after that. Mine hasn't done it in a long time, but if it does it's in a crowded parking lot full of people wondering if I know how to drive a stick.

 

[mjp2]

if it does it's in a crowded parking lot full of people wondering if I know how to drive a stick.

We've ALL been there lol

 

[Uila6g]

Without driving it it's hard to say if the stiffness you experience is normal or not. As far as the bucking, unfortunately that has been reported by many of us on the 21-22 models but haven't really seen anyone complain much after that. Mine hasn't done it in a long time, but if it does it's in a crowded parking lot full of people wondering if I know how to drive a stick.

there’s a possibility I’m letting the clutch out too fast in 2nd. Is your shifter super clunky/notchy? I grew up around all kinds of manuals and never heard knocking or clunking when shifting. The stiffness too is odd for me. I was wondering if its just a stock thing. I’m planning to install the B&M shifter.

 

[SoDak1623]

First time owning and driving a manual, odds say it's just inexperience not the vehicle.

 

[ErikSg]

there’s a possibility I’m letting the clutch out too fast in 2nd. Is your shifter super clunky/notchy? I grew up around all kinds of manuals and never heard knocking or clunking when shifting. The stiffness too is odd for me. I was wondering if its just a stock thing. I’m planning to install the B&M shifter.

I have a '23 manual Black Diamond as well, and I also noticed this. The first few months I owned it I would force the shifter a lot more since I was used to shifting quickly in other cars I had driven. I started to notice that it was easier to shift if I paused slightly between gears. I think it gives the synchros time to match the speed and also lets the RPM fall. I'm no transmission expert though so maybe someone else can explain this better. I am curious why this transmission seems to need more time to shift versus others I've driven.

 

[Uila6g]

I have a '23 manual Black Diamond as well, and I also noticed this. The first few months I owned it I would force the shifter a lot more since I was used to shifting quickly in other cars I had driven. I started to notice that it was easier to shift if I paused slightly between gears. I think it gives the synchros time to match the speed and also lets the RPM fall. I'm no transmission expert though so maybe someone else can explain this better. I am curious why this transmission seems to need more time to shift versus others I've driven.

This was super helpful. I’ll try a quick pause between shifts next time. After making the changes did you notice that shifts/transitions were smoother?

 

[ErikSg]

This was super helpful. I’ll try a quick pause between shifts next time. After making the changes did you notice that shifts/transitions were smoother?

No problem. Yeah it definitely made it feel smoother on the shifter, but even after 2 years of daily driving I still feel like I have to make a conscious effort to shift smoothly between 1st and 2nd in terms of when I let the clutch out. If I'm tired or not paying close attention I don't always shift as smoothly. But you don't really have to pause so much as push the shifter out of gear, then push it into the next gear. Just letting the centering springs do most of the work when shifting out of gear. You'll get the hang of it, but that way you don't pause too long and get people right up on your backside when the light changes.

 

[CalvinT]

I have a Badlands with manual. I find the transmission to be very easy shifting. But then I've owned only vehicles with a manual since 1984. Too often people try to force the shifter from one position to the next. If you don't rush and just guide it, it will go right into place. If it doesn't, you may be trying to force it.

 

[Smocaine]

Other than possible synchronizer issues, I would just say try going slower into 2nd both on the lever and the clutch. It's probably the easiest gear to buck and the fast 1>2 can cause some resistance in the synchros if you pull it too quick.

 

[Uila6g]

I have a Badlands with manual. I find the transmission to be very easy shifting. But then I've owned only vehicles with a manual since 1984. Too often people try to force the shifter from one position to the next. If you don't rush and just guide it, it will go right into place. If it doesn't, you may be trying to force it.

I thought about this recently and starting to use just two finger pressure. I also considered maybe i might be pulling a little to the left instead of straight down as well

 

[Uila6g]

Other than possible synchronizer issues, I would just say try going slower into 2nd both on the lever and the clutch. It's probably the easiest gear to buck and the fast 1>2 can cause some resistance in the synchros if you pull it too quick.

Thanks I’ll try this out and see if it improves. I’m gonna take it to get the synchronizers checked out thats the first thing I thought of after the possibility that it could be that this is a learning curve for me

 

[CalvinT]

Often when people are first learning to drive a manual transmission, they tend to try to shift too quickly. Plus they try to force the shift lever into each gear.

 

[JawnyBronco]

No problem. Yeah it definitely made it feel smoother on the shifter, but even after 2 years of daily driving I still feel like I have to make a conscious effort to shift smoothly between 1st and 2nd in terms of when I let the clutch out. If I'm tired or not paying close attention I don't always shift as smoothly. But you don't really have to pause so much as push the shifter out of gear, then push it into the next gear. Just letting the centering springs do most of the work when shifting out of gear. You'll get the hang of it, but that way you don't pause too long and get people right up on your backside when the light changes.

I too find myself making conscious effort in shifting to appease my Women. Oddly I feel my shifting improves in Sport mode, maybe due to better throttle response.

 

[PWillette]

I have a '23 manual Black Diamond as well, and I also noticed this. The first few months I owned it I would force the shifter a lot more since I was used to shifting quickly in other cars I had driven. I started to notice that it was easier to shift if I paused slightly between gears. I think it gives the synchros time to match the speed and also lets the RPM fall. I'm no transmission expert though so maybe someone else can explain this better. I am curious why this transmission seems to need more time to shift versus others I've driven.

^^This^^ Pretty much any MT/clutch have different characters. By all accounts the Bronco just doesn't seem to like quick shifts. SDS (Slow Deliberate Shift) smoothed things out for me. Not so much a pause for me, just slowing the motion not trying to force it.

Another thing to help is shifting in the sweet spot RPM range. Too early (low RPMs) or too late (high RPMs) can contribute to rough shifting and bucking.

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