Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Hi Everyone:

This might be my first post on this site, but I wanted you to know, that I too have experienced problems with my clutch pedal sticking to the floor, Clutch Klunk noise, every time I depressed the clutch, a crunch noise with shifting into second and third when the car was cold, occasional gear lock out on downshifts. Note: notchy crunch noise greatly improved as the transmission warmed up, but it would take at least 10 miles of driving. The problems were depressing and after the first two times to the dealership, I had to start doing a few things myself.

I would recommend that anyone experiencing these types of problems, to take it to the dealer and document the problems. However, I did replace the shift assembly with an MGW assembly. (Note: The new Barton unit is very good as well), then I had Updated the Clutch Pedal Box to GT500 specs by removing the helper spring. Then the dealer performed the Transmission Oil TSB. This help a lot with the cold notchy feeling in 2nd and 3rd. Then a clutch pedal clunk noise got so bad I took it back to the dealer and demonstrated the noise to the Technician. He immediately said the clutch has to be inspected. So, he removed the trans assembly and replaced the TO Bering, Pressure Plate and Disc. I looked at the Flywheel and they did not replace it as it still looked new with cross hatch machine marks. Oh yes, the Technician called Ford Tech Line and they advised, to replace the noted parts and do not forget to replace the pressure plate flywheel bolts.

While the dealer was waiting for parts, I purchased a Ford Racing Performance Parts Upgrade part, the Stainless Steel Clutch Pedal Fluid Line and had the technician replace this item as well. Note: I have not tracked the car and I did a proper break-in for the first 1500 miles, the clutch was replaced at just over 4,000 miles and it has just over 5,000 miles on her now.

Result? My MT-82 still has a notchy feel going into second and third, however there is no crunch noise and it is vastly improved, it is only for the first 1 mile or less, and after the first mile? Well this car is now shifting smooth and silky. Up shift, Down shift, no more lock out shifting from 5th to 3rd, etc. Never miss a 2nd to 3rd shift. Now that everything is done it is really like night and day with the shifting performance of the Boss.

So, although this might not be for everyone out there, and perhaps Ford should have improved a few things like the rear shift box mount and maybe a few other things, these updates did work for me and there is hope. The MT-82 trans is (in my opinion) geared very nicely for street / comp duty and does have the ability to become a great shifting transmission, I just think it had a bad start and some weak external components. Good luck in your quest, but it is possible. 302 Hi Pro

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Nice first post 302 and welcome to BMO. I think the MT82 is fine and most of the issues are clutch related. Ford is aware of the clutch issues but they won't provide a fix until more of us take our cars in for service and complain about the clutch.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Ford has had plenty people complaining of the clutch they are not going to do anything to fix any of them. It is pretty simple they have the car out and the longer it is out the less of a chance they will fix it.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

My 2012 LS just turned 3000 miles. No tranny related complaints except shifter travel. Replaced it with a Hurst. Have a Hurst in my 06. I am going to upgrade the line and change the fluid. Just haven't seen any of these problems. My car is realtively early production LS #56.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

RR you can skip the aftermarket clutch line, it won't help shifting issues although it might eliminate some heat from the fluid.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

jeepinocala said:

Ford has had plenty people complaining of the clutch they are not going to do anything to fix any of them. It is pretty simple they have the car out and the longer it is out the less of a chance they will fix it.

Click to expand...

That is not true. If Ford can find and document a systemic issue due to the design being faulty or bad part in general they will take action to replace the clutch. I had just bought an '08 GT500 with 10K miles back in 2010. One month later, the clutch takes a dump. I don't recall all the details but the clutch couldn't take the heat and were burning up. Ford issued a TSB and I the clutch was replaced with a new one. I read somewhere it was the same clutch used on some Ferarri's and Vettes. But, they replaced it. Now it took 3 months in the shops and getting to the right people to take action. Parts were on back order as there were so many cars with issues. Being a daily driver Ford wasn't going to sport the bill for the rental. Had to get to a different department different from Ford Customer Relations. You get assigned an agent that specifically works on your case. Not like customer relations where you first talk to someone that seems to care as they take your info with a promise of a call back.and when you get the call back, they pretty much tell you to pound sand.

I'll post the number when I get back to the office. I kept it just in case I have any issues. Thought I had lost it recently when I moved offices, but found it a couple weeks ago. Was trying to find it after one dealer denied my warranty claim for seat wear on the Recaros after owning the car for a week. Customer Relations did their song and dance. Took her back to my purchasing dealer and they took care of it, so I never called the number. Hopefully it still works.

It's not the same department as customer relations and CR will tell you no other department exists. I don't recall how I got the number in the first place. I think someone from the service shop gave it to me but I was told not to tell.

The great thing was, the agent assigned to my case overrid the service department, warranty services and customer relations to make sure my needs were met. The first clarified that the TSB did apply to my vehicle even though Ford originally tried to not honor it. He then overrid the decision to stop rental coverage because it was because of Ford's TSB that the parts were out of stock and on back order.

Personally I have not experienced any of the described issues, but i have not driven the car very aggressive yet. Are they only 2012 related and not 2013? Is the Fluid TSB something I need to have done? I feel awful about all who has had problems.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

It is both years. The fluid is not related to the clutch issue. The fluid was for crunchiness or hard shifting when it is cold, and supposedly does not apply to cars after the TSB was issued. It might be related to the lock outs in 3rd, 4th etc but I doubt it, as it happens to people with the new fluid too.

The clutch is bull****. It does not work when the car is driven aggressively. I have some less common issues too (1st locked out, kick outs, grinding while in gear, etc) but the clutch issued are common if you track the car or even just drive it aggressively on the street. And it was advertised as a racecar with a license plate, so them saying it only happens on the track (which is not true) is bull**** too. Them claiming user abuse on stuff that was an issue since the car came off the lot is bull**** too. Every person I have met irl, either at the track or just cruising, has had clutch issues except one guy I am friends with who barely drove his car and completely babied it until trading it in on a GT500.

And honestly, your having a special number that customer care denies exists is just more proof of the bull**** way Ford handles things. If it is a problem, then you should not need to have a secret handshake to get it fixed. It should just get fixed. Ford make a great car, for a great price, but it has some issues and they need to be resolved. It was taken to the NHTSA or whatever it is called for the issues in the GT, and they found it was not dangerous so they were not forcing a recall. Ford knows, I'm sure many people other than me have fought with them on this and continue to do so. I have complaints on record starting at 100 miles and had it tested at 300 miles and multiple times since then. My particular steam of BS from them is probably a bit more than most people, being lied to constantly and threatened multiple times, but I have not heard of anyone actually getting it fixed though a few people they did at least make an attempt to fix it.


Rick and everyone else, I'm sorry if I am being too blunt, but this has gone on for almost 2 years now and it is just ridiculous at this point. I do love the car, other than the tranny, and I have accepted the oil consumption and other little niggles and even the clutch/tranny issues would not piss me off if it were not for how they are responding to it. I have a 96 Bronco that I owned since new, it was a real mess and was in and out of the shop constantly for quite a while until they made some changed that resolved the issues and it has since been pretty good. But they kept trying to fix it, and stood behind their product 100%. I had the rear end explode after the warranty ran out, and they treated me way better than they had to and covered the majority of it. They have also been good with our trucks and SUVs that ate trannies, as Fords trucks are known to do, and all other issues. They are even being good about the other Fords we have, my sister's Explorer has some issues and they jumped on it to get it fixed. Which makes it even more frustrating how they are dealing with this car.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

I'll try the number I have and post it if it is still valid when I get back next week. Maybe presenting some of the good research from here can have an impact.

Thanks for the additional feedback. I hate hearing about this as it sucks for us all especially those that track their cars. I love my car but am worried about the potential issues. I hate that I'm a Mustang guy at heart because of issues like this. I keep saying, next car will be an Audi but I keep buying Mustangs.

Are there people who track their cars that don't have these issues? I know the pole lists people that have not experienced issues. Just curious if any of those are weekend warriors.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Darth Boss said:

I'll try the number I have and post it if it is still valid when I get back next week. Maybe presenting some of the good research from here can have an impact.

Thanks for the additional feedback. I hate hearing about this as it sucks for us all especially those that track their cars. I love my car but am worried about the potential issues. I hate that I'm a Mustang guy at heart because of issues like this. I keep saying, next car will be an Audi but I keep buying Mustangs.

Are there people who track their cars that don't have these issues? I know the pole lists people that have not experienced issues. Just curious if any of those are weekend warriors.

Click to expand...

I have 50 track days in my Boss. I've had maybe 5 shifting issues in those days total. I have had two replacement clutches (one failed slave cylinder, one anti-rattle spring tearing out of clutch plate) that were isolated part failures. In both cases the friction surfaces were still in excellent condition. I'm putting in solid motor mounts and hopefully that will eliminate even the few issues I've had shifting on track.

Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

I only have 200 miles I hope my car got the tab though I will check at first service... Debating a shifter preventively


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

MGCurry said:

I only have 200 miles I hope my car got the tab though I will check at first service... Debating a shifter preventively


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Click to expand...

I installed a Steeda Tri-ax shifter and Steeda shifter mount on my Boss. It worked flawlessly, with no more missing 3rd gear and no extra noise.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

2013 Boss, 183 mi. My '64 Chevy w/3 on the tree shifted better. Really clunky between first and second, somewhat better between second and third, o.k. after that. I've quit using first altogether. I will have a talk with the service manager when I go get my plates. I will point him to this forum if he/she is interested.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Boomerstoys said:

The lockout issue is very dangerous. Particularly on downshifts. If you are in a braking zone and can't get the gear you want and end up in a lower gear than intended, it could be disasterous for you, your car, and following drivers.

Click to expand...

For the record I experienced this exact scenario at Buttonwillow Raceway in both my '06 GT and '09 GT500. Under heavy braking and downshifting from 4th to 3rd I couldn't find the gear. This only happened after several laps so it must be heat-related. It's interesting to note that the Ford Racing replacement clutch line is applicable to all 2005-13 Mustangs and that despite having different clutch and transmission designs they all exhibit this same symptom.

Shift lock out

I'm sure this has been discussed...but I went to Homestead this weekend and toward the end of the 25 minute sessions I had a very very had time going into 4th and 5th.


What's weird is upshifting to 4th before turn 6 is was perfect. 6 is a horseshoe and 7 is a kink so coming out of 6 you're in 3 going to 4th after the kink and it's like hitting a brick wall. After 8 which is a hair pin you enter the back straight and have to 3-4 and 4-5 which are also like arm wrestling.

I have a MGW shifter....I'm wondering if it's a fluid temp problem causing issues with the clutch. I've also had the pedal stick after the 3-4 shift on the same straight away.

Thanks in advance
Tony

Re: Shift lock out

Tony welcome to the club. IMO it's the clutch. In case you haven't seen these...

https://trackmustangsonline.com/index.php?topic=2935.0

https://trackmustangsonline.com/index.php?topic=2934.0

I'll merge this thread with the discussion thread.

Also note another data point where the MGW did NOT fix the shifting problem on track.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

65sohc said:

It's interesting to note that the Ford Racing replacement clutch line is applicable to all 2005-13 Mustangs and that despite having different clutch and transmission designs they all exhibit this same symptom.

Click to expand...

I wondered about this too but after checking with FR I was told that the only reason the line was developed was to prevent potential melting of the stock plastic line when they installed LT headers. It was not to correct any potential shifting issues. I'm putting one on my car when I have the headers installed later this month.

I've had a 4-5 lockout, 3-4 lockout and 5-4 lockout a few times toward the end of sessions as well. It's a relatively small number of occurrences given how many of those shifts I've made, but when it happens it's very frustrating as well as potentially dangerous. I'm of the mindset it's heat related as well, but as to the specific cause/solution, that's out of my league. I've had the pedal to the floor only once outside of the two clutch failures I experienced. The first was an anti-rattle spring tearing out of the clutch plate and jamming the pressure plate locking the pedal down and the second a failed slave cylinder.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

I had to push my car out of the garage yesterday, as reverse would not engage. Figured maybe because it has been sitting a few weeks. Then 2nd completely refused to go in. After a couple miles shifting 1-3, I was able to force it into 2nd and then next time I tried reverse it worked. Like an idiot, I didn't think to get it on video though my phone was in my pocket.

This was the same day I had issues with advancetrak, but I don't think they are related.



Other than those things, it was a blast to drive though. I really hope some sort of fix comes out.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

CaliMR said:

I had to push my car out of the garage yesterday, as reverse would not engage. Figured maybe because it has been sitting a few weeks. Then 2nd completely refused to go in. After a couple miles shifting 1-3, I was able to force it into 2nd and then next time I tried reverse it worked. Like an idiot, I didn't think to get it on video though my phone was in my pocket.

This was the same day I had issues with advancetrak, but I don't think they are related.

Getting it on video will not help I did two videos and the dealer just said they could not get it to do it for them so it's fine. Make sure you document EVERYTHING make them put it in writting every visit. Good luck I dumped my car after a few months of headaches with no results at all.



Other than those things, it was a blast to drive though. I really hope some sort of fix comes out.

Click to expand...

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Since I have installed the Centerforce DYAD twin disc clutch I have had no issues with the clutch sitcking to the floor anymore. It also shifts much smoother now and has a lighter pedal. Before going the clutch route I tried some of the various other fixes. MGW, clutch line, redline fluid. the clutch line did nothing to improve anything. the fluid and shifter helped.

Re: Boss Transmission Issues Poll Discussion Thread

Defiantly had a few shift rejects 2-3 ~4500-6000, Ordered the MGW Shifter today plan on using the street bushing and got the new Boss302 Shift Knob, very excited I had a Hurst in my '05 the shifter as it seems is always the first thing to go.

M