[dfw.embalmer]

Has anyone who has taken delivery noticed that it is necessary to press the clutch FIRMLY against the floor to engage reverse without grinding? My Focus was very easy to place in reverse.

Is this something that might need to be adjusted, or just a Fiesta thing?

 

[golf strom]

dfw.....

that is definitely NOT normal on any typical light passenger vehicle...definitely needs to be looked at.


Does it happen all the time?

 

[eRic]

hmm... on occasion I did get a crunch in reverse but yeah you need the pedal fully depressed for a moment before shifting into reverse. i thought it was me. it didn't do it when my pro road racer buddy drove.

 

[mrbirdman330]

I would take it to Ford and have it examined immediately, I know that MTX series and MT75 Transmissions are fitted with synchronized reverse gears which allows you to shift in to reverse rolling forward at speeds 5mph and below and not grind the transmission but I have no clue if the IB5 is setup the same way. I would assume that perhaps something is out of line on the transmission. Car is under warranty so it wouldn't hurt to have it examined.

 

[golf strom]

A very important aspect of having things checked also is to make sure that the dealer DOCUMENTS with a work order the symptom and what they determined. This is important because if the problem persists and the dealer cannot remedy it you have records to prove that you brought it to their attention in the event that something fails just after the warranty period it is likely that Ford (or any other mfr ) will still repair free of charge.

 

[dfw.embalmer]

Tranny Issue

Thanks guys! I will take it in immediately!

 

[dfw.embalmer]

Unless I stand on the clutch it goes crunch.....and when you back up any distance it has that reverse whine that I haven't heard in a small car in YEARS.

 

[LMTech]

When you take it in ask to show the tech who is going to work on it what you are talking about because the service advisor may not write a good description of the problem.

 

[golf strom]

LMT....

just curious is the clutch hydraulic or cable actuated?

 

[LMTech]

It is a hydraulic clutch system. One suggestion though before taking it in make sure that the floor mat is not keeping the clucth from going all the way down. If it is behind the pedal that might be all it is and will save you a trip to the dealer.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Technically with a hydrollic clutch usually just breaking the plain setting on the clutch fully disengages the clutch from the flywheel unlike a cable clutch where you might have to push a little further down on a synchronized transmission. Semi Tractor different story but you get the idea on that matter but Ford may have a different set up on that matter since most of the time Hydrollic clutches have no freeplay in them at all unless its put in there by the manufacturer. Different manufacturer different settings on that part. Then again Ford could have put a delay in on the reverse to try and help prevent an accidental shift into Reverse from fifth gear since there is no lockout.

 

[dfw.embalmer]

Floor Mat/Clutch Pedal

It is a hydraulic clutch system. One suggestion though before taking it in make sure that the floor mat is not keeping the clucth from going all the way down. If it is behind the pedal that might be all it is and will save you a trip to the dealer.

Good Idea, I know it (the floor mat) is attached to the two snaps, but it very well could still be up there under it just a bit..will check it first thing out in the morning. Otherwise it shifts well thru all the other gears.

Rolled over 900 miles today, took it on a 200 mile road trip over to Athens, Texas combination of freeway, two lane, and old single lane chip and tar roads..(went out to the family farm outside Athens). Trip computer shows average speed of 30 miles per hour overall (2/3 has been in the city) and 34.1 mpg overall average. Not bad.....

 

[dfw.embalmer]

Technically with a hydrollic clutch usually just breaking the plain setting on the clutch fully disengages the clutch from the flywheel unlike a cable clutch where you might have to push a little further down on a synchronized transmission. Semi Tractor different story but you get the idea on that matter but Ford may have a different set up on that matter since most of the time Hydrollic clutches have no freeplay in them at all unless its put in there by the manufacturer. Different manufacturer different settings on that part. Then again Ford could have put a delay in on the reverse to try and help prevent an accidental shift into Reverse from fifth gear since there is no lockout.

I drove OTR and Motorcoach for years while in college and before, had Freightliners with Eaton Fuller tranny's that had hydraulic clutches, and clutch or not they were always smooth as silk...had one Freightliner with a Rockwell (used to call it a rock crusher) because no matter how you drove it you were gonna rake gears occasionally.. (until you rounded all of them off). We had some old buses Eagles/MCI that had 4 speeds where you flipped a toggle for reverse and put it in second and that was your reverse gear and it always ground going in unless you waited about 30 seconds after applying the clutch before shifting (no clutch brake).

LMT....do you know if it is healthy for these small gearboxes to "float" shift like you do a big truck? I know I floated my 08 Focus all of the time and never had any issues..haven't tried it on the Fiesta.

 

[mrbirdman330]

I drove a Freightliner Century Class for a year but got to try out the Cascadia, the hydrolic clutch on it is very hard to work. The very second you pushed it you disengaged the clutched, no free play what so ever. Made taking off a real PITA. Technically on a synchronized transmission you are to use the clutch at all times because eventually you'll break the synchros.

 

[eRic]

so I read the Fiesta owners guide

Hold the clutch pedal down and move the gearshift lever into the neutral
position. Wait at least three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse).

I don't think reverse gear is synchronized.

 

[dfw.embalmer]

When all else fails.....Read the directions

so I read the Fiesta owners guide

I don't think reverse gear is synchronized.

And it works, every time....no crunch!

That's it!

 

[mrbirdman330]

That clears it up, there is a ''clutch brake'' set up for reverse gear sort of like how how the original MT 1-4 series was done on the Ford Tempo. Basically if you hold the clutch for three seconds it stops and allows you to put the transmission in reverse, if it doesn't go in just lightly let off the clutch while pulling the stick into the reverse position and it will go in. So reverse on the IB5 has no synchros, interesting.