How To Fix Sloppy Shifting - Ford Focus IB5 Transmission 

Great video!!! my focus stoped shifting gears last night (saturday August 25) on the road, had to towed in to my house. ..I was worried that fixing it would be costly and not on time for Monday work... After viewing this video I went out and easily fixed the problem my self :-) two thumbs up! !

good lighting, good audio, good workmanship, good sense. great video

Thanks for this. Came across the same problem in the UK whilst accessing the gearbox oil filler plug. Managed with a 1/4" inch circlip as the next size up in my assortment is 3/8" (typical). The slot in the steel peg is chamfered so the circlip fits well enough- but not perfect. Used a (cut down) roll bar link bush from an old GM/Opel/ Vauxhall which has a perfect hole of around 5/16" (8mm) Much easier to cut hardened rubber bushes if you keep dipping them in water. It helps stop the knife drifting outwards as you cut. Used 'red rubber grease' as being a brake system grease it's fully compatible with rubber. (Very bloody sticky though.)

Thanks for the video. Most useful. Was driving my '03 Focus and the cable slipped off the pin. Managed to drive on home in 4th. The original collet/bushing was completely perished, just a few bits left lying around. Followed you instructions and was back on the road in no time.

Good work! Mine has a problem IB5 like yours, but sensation is stiff and clunky instead (like a dry box, despite being filled with new correct grade oil by mechanic). I also oiled up the parts under the gaiter (improved a bit). So now I know where the cover is under the car, thanks to your vid, I'll investigate linkage etc. further...

Thanks for the video, I just did this yesterday, and it worked very well. UK Ford Focus mark 2, 2011 MY with 1.8 litre Duratec HE 16v Twin Cam engine and IB5 gearbox.

I've typed all the dimensions you mentioned into OpenSCAD, and sent it to my 3D printer. First attempt almost fitted like a glove, just adding a quarter of a mm here and there and it should be perfect. Thanks for sharing this video! 😊 Edit: Second attempt it fitted really good with no play at all, the gear lever snaps into the gears really nice. Outer diameter = 16.125mm, inner diameter = 8.4375mm, height = 12.7mm. I'll add some ridge to the part so the cable cannot slide off. Maybe i'll share a Thingiverse item later here. Edit 2: It's on Thingiverse now, title is "Ford Focus Mk1 Zetec 1.6 gear lever cable bushing"

Thank you very much for your great video. Just in case you want to get the original rubber bushing for that, it is Ford P/N AN15-7H401-AB. Well, in reality it is a replacement for the cable terminal but you can transfer the bushing to your shift cable. It's an idea.

Improving is the best! Love it

how about a piece of 5/16 hose for the bushing? or i think lowes has various poly bushings in their hardware bins

The grommets from the shifter base worked out for me, I used a vacuum plug for the center and a washer under the e clip. She's a rough on engagement while vacuum plug wears in.

I will put some oil in do I fill right up or do I fill 10 from the filler hole

Foi um trabalho muito bem feito parabéns✌

Hello I'm from the uk I have a 2004 focus ib5 gearbox. My car gets stuck in 5th gear it seams to only happen when I'm on a long journey the problem happens when I'm changing down from 5th it's that bad that the lever gets stuck in 5th and won't move out I have to stop the car and wait for about 30 seconds then I can put it back in neutral and start off again. I scares me as it only happens about twice a year and not all the time any advice would be a great help thanks tony

Thank you for this, I just used your solution on my 1998 Hyundai Elantra, I used the shock absorber, but I had to slice in half it was too thick, there was already a washer a retainer and metal ring... the rubber was gone , I use brick to sand down the shock absorber to size, stuff the ring in the middle and place the absober and ring in the hole of the cable. I cap it off with the washer and then catcher.. It now shift into first gear like it was new. Thank you again.

Thanks for your video ford Australia want $316 Dollars for the replacement parts but fixed it for $2.50 and 1 hour labour from me and it is fixed working great. Thanks very much for your help. Cheers Rob

Thank you so much .. To help me solve the problem I had and you helped me a lot thank you ... because I have the same car.

thanks very much for this!! I just fixed my Ford Fiesta that had the exact same problem only worse because of the location and position (vertical) the cable kept coming out and it was impossible to drive. Because of your video I was able to know what to do in my garage and save over 200 euros for sure. Only one thing; I did it spending 1,60 euros:-) Thanks again!!

What a brilliant fix, thank you so much for this youtube video. Was able to fix my car for such a cheap price. Thank you!!

I hope you get this comment... I used this method to fix my loose shifter this morning. It worked like a charm. Thanks for the video... it really helped.

This, sir, was a fantastic video. I've just recently bought an 08 focus 1.6 zetec tdci, which needs a lot of love and care, and this just happened to be a video I came across while doing some digging, and I think I want to have your babies. Thank you very much, its the simplest things that make the biggest differences isn't it! :)

Got a Fiesta Max un Venezuela....thanks for the video very well done and instructions so clear....BEST regards

where is the oil drain plug? in these transmissions. please ford fiesta 2005 Mt

Really helpful had exactly the same problem but after using da same procedure in the video saved me bit of money.

Thank you very much for this idea !!!! Excellent job. I made something similar to yours and it worked.

Do you know what it's called when the Shifter won't return to center neutral? It moves freely from left to right. I can shift like normal, but when i exit the gear and go into neutral, its just loose. Any ideas? thanks man

Thanks for the video :) Nice job!

Thank you my friend. I fixed my focus ecxactly the same way. The thickness of the pastic part of the cable, is 10mm, the same is the thickness of the rubber ring. You can create a rubber ring too, cutting a 10mm piece of a rubber tube of 16mm diameter.

Nice video man

I just need a e clip my rubber is there but in two pieces and falling off every time I put it on. Mine is a 2001 focus so this shift lever is on the side not top

Thank you!It appears a short segment of rubber fuel hose would make a suitable grommet as well

perfect! cant wait to try it on my 5 speed zx3 it popped off while beating a honda the other day lol

Holy crap, I just realized all these videos you made were from all the parts that failed on your crappy Focus, which I have the exact same one in dark bird-poo green. I hope all these things don't fail me now. Thanks for the videos though!

you think this would work for an Automatic??

Thanks for the video best regards tony ruff

Me ha librado de gastarme un dineral ....En un taller entre el kit completo más la mano de obra hubieran sido unos 300 €,así ha sido 0€ puesto que tenía el material en mi caja de herramientas....Me ha sido útil 100% GRACIAS desde España

Awesome video! I can now fix my 1000 buck SVT Contour!!!

thank you. same problem. great fix.

So good so good

Nice job I like your idea very informative.

thanks a mil-saved a lot of money

thank you very much champion from Argentina !!!

Just started changing my girlfriends gearbox on a 2000 1.8l Focus zetec (UK), it has the same type of connection, has a rubber collet in that white plastic hole which push fits onto the pin.

your the man

This should save me some money. Thank you!

hi have this problem whith my Crysler stratus do you think that can make the car don t move

Does anyone here have an idea on whats wrong with my ford fiesta gear shiftng? While driving in motorway, i suddenly heard a loud sound like tiny ballon poping off( i was not shifting gear at that time. After driving 30 mins or so i could not put gearstick in first gear. This problem is not frequent but happens time to time in first, second and even reverse gear. Any idea on this guys?

Thanks from Hungary!! :)

Thank you for your replay, I have ford focus MK1 1600 CC. could you please tell me which one did you order? thanks

could try having a look at "overclockers uk forum" shows a fiesta 1.4? mite be paragraph 9 down, with sticking gears........ but only when been driven for a while.... ok when cold. its a bad design of ford, basically needs at least a clean and a greasing ( maybe a strip down of the linkage arm shifter due to it having a Bush inside,, sometimes no bush... that dries up when hot ) with high melting point grease or similar. this might help.

This rubber part is available in India. same part is used for Ford Figo. Its available in Boodmo website. I replaced it in my car today.

Thanks for the video. Can you tell me where I would find this on a 2005 Ford Focus? Under battery? Under fuse box?

thanks very much for this :D

I own a Mondeo (Contour in the US) I always tel people if your Ford is older than 10 years it gets its name change to a Ford discontinued, because every time I phone the agents for a part they tell me its discontinued. Thank for the video have to go fix a old ladies Focus now that I know what to do.

That transmission shifts so much better than the getrag in my svt.

yes, i'm repairing my gearbox right now. It is a 1999 1,8 zetech engine and mounted on a Ib5 gearbox. :-) Great video!

a bit of fuel pipe would have done that...good video, good detail..

My 06 focus has this problem I think. However I can't access this easily as I thought . It is under the battery , so I removed the battery and plastic casing but there is a aluminum or metal casing . Anyway to remove that?

Thanks tha help ful video

Hey, Thanks for the great video! I'm having a hard time locating where you are though. Is this directly under the battery box, on the driver's side?

that was a very good video, I feel that i have the same problem with my 2005 ford focus. I was driving and it popped out of gear, when i shifted it felt loose like nothing was holding it. So this weekend I will look at the transmission gear box and hope it is that and not the transmission. If it is the collet i will fix it the way you did yours, is your's still performing great after the fix it job you did?

Thanks for the great video. Lex Brodie wanted $360 to repair because they could only order the whole shifter assembly. save $$$

Great video and cheap fix, would a loose connection like this cause a false neutral trying to get reverse gear Thanks

Great Video. FYI, Fiesta Zetec (1.4, 1.6) do have the same gearbox and same issue. it just screwed up my today. Aliexpress, 3 bucks (or punds) part...

Cool video

Breakers yard?

Thanks for the video . How long did the repair last?

Thanks man 💪💪💪👍👍👍

Thanks for this video. I was looking for my fill plug location on my IB5 transmission and notice the gearshift cable was missing the collet. Defiantly going to replace this as soon as I figure how remove the filler plug and refill without having to remove the cables. Any suggestions? Thanks

Just curious, i watched this video anyway, i have a slightly different car, i have a 2003 Zetec 1.8, curious on what your actual problem was, envious on how good your gear changing was hence the reply., i sometimes have to "Force" my first gear, more so when cold i think, the other gears are really easy, (Feels like it just slides in, no Pressure needed (Can change gear with 2 fingers..)) sometimes it "misses" Reverse" though, would this problem be in the same area as yours or am i totally off base?

ok thanks

Had the same issue on my '04 focus. Did the exact same thing. Here's to hoping that it says functional!

Is this the same transmission for the 06 focus ZX3 S ?

Hey good video. I have done what you said but my problem is i can not keep the gear stick in 4th 5th or reverse...

should it be the same in an automatic transmission ?

I have the same problem but te end of the cable is a plastic almost square thing, what can i use? Mine is a 2006 focus.

Nice

2009 ford focus se. Check engine and maintenance wrench on. Cleaned throttle body and replace power steering pressure switch. Not shifting pass third gear and now speedometer not moving.

I have the exactly issue but with the Z tech engine, any ideas ?

Were are you working at? What location is that on the car?

If I can add this. As an emergency fix, while waiting for a new bush and c clip. I used a piece of rubber lpg gas pipe. Outside size is 15mm, the bore is 8mm, then fitted a metal washer and small cable tie to retain it on the shaft...

hi. since you fixed that. still working normally. thanks.

This is pretty cool... I have this problem with my 2014 ford fusion. different shifter cable but maybe I can do something similar. Part is on national back order -___-

Good evening and thank you for your video. would like to ask my own shifter shaking up down when I have gear but all gears normally enters without problems. might be caused to that shown;

Size of the e clip?

orielys has cable linkage bushing kits normally hiddeninthe back also is there any fluid in that thing swear i could hear an echo

i thought your description said 2000 focus,sorry ill look a little further.

Thanks you very much you saved my 3000 Rs.

Hi I for some reason cannot find this part on my car I have a 2003 2.3 liter SE focus can someone tell me where this is

Thanks. Fix in 30 minutes. The rubber bushing can be replaced by a piece of rubber hose similar to that carried by the refrigerant system. More economical impossible ....

where is it located?

hi I found the filler cap but not the drain. where is?

Where is this part located? I've been trying to find it.

BRO, I HAPPENED TO BUST A MOTOR MOUNT 1 DAY, RIGHT IN FRONT OF WHEELING RUBBER! A EMPLOYEE CAME OUTSIDE,STARTED TALKING TO ME & SAVED THE DAY! HE SAID, HOLD ON, & HE WENT N2 THE BUILDING & RETREIVED A PIECE OF RUBBER & WE TWEEKED IT VERY LITTLE & IT FIT PERFECTLY!!! WHEELING RUBBER & 1 OF THEIR EMPLOYEE'S SAVED MY ASS THAT DAY & I WILL NEVER FORGET IT!!! JUST GET A RUBBER BUSHING & CARVE IT 2 FIT!!! & THEN I WATCHED THE VID & U DID!!! HA, KUDO"S

small mistake here guys, Appears that some zetec SE focus do have the IB5, I think you can just ID it cos it has these cables at the front under a plastic cover, whereas the mtx75 has the shifting cables going in differently and a different oil fill plug which isn't under a plastic cover.

Its has a duratec 2.0 engine is automatic

isso se chama gambiarra!!!!

I was just made aware of this - we do have a bushing that fits this at www.boogerbushings.com. Same ID, same OD, same dimension on the "lip" that we mold into the ID to fit that steel pin. Our bushings are a Shore 90A durometer polyurethane. You need just one of our small bushings for $7 including shipping in the US. Hope this also helps some folks save some money over buying a new cable assembly.

I'm a bit late but clever solve! Use the money you saved to get yourself a proper leaf blower to get the leafs back where they belong.

Well thansk for showing me where exactly this was located. best side of vehicle to approach it from. did you have to remove a tire. did you have to jack it up..... ? come on buddy