How and When to do a Neutral Reset on Focus ST/RS

I have been noticing difficulty getting into 2nd and 3rd gear, and thought at 60k miles on my car and the way I drive my syncros were starting to go. Turns out the shift bushings are junk and over time it just gets out of wack. Here is how to preform a neutral reset on your ST/RS to clean up that slop in the shifter.

[@chewychonk5564]

I just did this after a short shift plate, transmission bracket bushings and cable bushings. Second gear was being a bitch. This trick fixed it perfect. Took 2 minutes. Thanks man

[@Brendenowits]

No problem, glad it worked!

[@WillMcSpadden]

After you release the white clips, do you press the clutch the slide into 4th or just slide the shifter into 4th? Getting ready to do some bushings and stuff tomorrow.

[@timprice8877]

@@WillMcSpaddenhe said “Just” put it in 4th 🤷 & he didn’t get into the car to touch the clutch anyway he just reached in, I’m gonna try it on my racered st3 today being it seems really notchy & having trouble with 1st & 2nd gear last few months.

[@WillMcSpadden]

@@timprice8877 I ended up just slapping into 4th after releasing the cable and it worked. It resets the cable length to the correct length.

[@ak2112]

I've got 36k on my stock 16' ST and just recently, 2nd and to a lesser degree, 4th have frequently been shitty to shift into. It's not all the time, but it's enough that it's really irritating. Car hasn't been abused and I've never grinded a shift. Going to give this "reset" a shot. Appreciate the video.

[@ak2112]

Update- I just went and did this neutral reset. Didn't have to remove the air box but I did take off the top engine cover and I moved the sound symposer tube but I was able to slip my hand down to the linkage. Put it in neutral, pulled the clip, shifted to 4th, pushed the clip back in. Went for a test drive- 2nd gear now feels like the car did when it was brand new. Absolutely solved it. I'm very happy. Thanks again.

[@timhowell8923]

Thanks for this! I have a 14 ST and it was a little different. The "clip" was red/orange not white and there weren't actual clips that had to be popped off the top/bottom. I could just push the "clip" open from the back/right. Seemed to help shifts into 2nd/3rd a bit, but my car has 112k miles on it so I wasn't expecting it to go back to day one.

[@Basedpierogi]

Tim Howell thanks for this was confused for a sec

[@timhowell8923]

@@Basedpierogi No problem, it took me a bit to figure out what was different so I am glad it helped.

[@jeffsavino1231]

Did you just push it through or is there a clip inside

[@timhowell8923]

@@jeffsavino1231 just push it through

[@skyleradreon]

I changed out my shifter cable and 1st and 2nd gear were way off, I did this and it worked perfectly first try

[@sandmaster29]

Haven't driven the car yet, but just sitting there it feels awesome! I was able to reach the clip and cable by only removing the engine cover, FYI to any other skinny Bois out there.

[@mikelookingatyou8053]

I just came across this video and had to try it on my Focus RS… and wtfffff is this sorcery!

[@dham99]

I have the Hurst short shift plate and JRQ (i think it is) trans shift cable bushings. Combined, it made a huge difference in the shift feel. MUCH shorter throws..more mechanical/notchy. But I do notice some difficulty sometimes or even a slight grind going into 2nd and 4th. I'm thinking I should give this a try. Im at 45000 miles on my 2016.5 ST. Very simple...thanks for the tip. I'll give er a whirl! lol

[@adeebkhan8843]

sorry to message so late but I was having similar issues how did this problem get fixed?

[@kbrownfocus]

Wtf.... Why am i just seeing this 😂 We used to do this on the 00-04 ZX3's with the MTX75's wtf 🤦🤣 This is literally how you prevent "Money shifting" newer drivers mostly but also for the less experienced manual driver too.... I does clean up the slop and makes it feel more like how a cable shifter sould be 🤙

[@caljohn88]

I have to try this. I'm SO f'ing frustrated with my shifter feel and having a hard time shifting to almost every gear. The only exception seems to be 3-4. The dealership looked at it under warranty and said there was nothing wrong with the transmission, so this is my last resort.

[@ProJanitor]

Had to do this once I started accidentally grinding my syncros during a botched attempt to shift from first to second gear 😭

[@Brendenowits]

same lol

[@rbergman74]

I gotta try this

[@drewknechtges1671]

I have a na focus with a 5 speed manual and recently at the drag strip my car was popping out of first when I would launch or burnout. Going to try this and see if it works

[@FreshlySnipes]

I grind 2nd a couple times a month. It’s so annoying. I don’t grind any other gears but 2nd. Not sure if it’s because I am dropping the clutch into 2nd too quickly or if it’s fickle on the engagement. Wonder if this will help.

[@Brendenowits]

I was doing the same thing for a week straight. Thought my syncros were going, did this and I haven't had an issue since. And I made this video months ago.

[@plumski86]

just attempted this and the tabs that you seperate to slide that POS white clip on the cable back/away broke..

[@bobbyzlokas9987]

I just saw this video and the same thing happened to me the clip broke.. what did you do about this? I'm not sure whether to go to ford or if i can just reorder the piece.

[@plumski86]

@@bobbyzlokas9987 I left that shit alone after the tabs broke and was never able to pull it apart from the cable to adjust anything! Hahah unfortunately, you have to replace the whole damn cable if that one lil piece completely breaks.. anyway, I rolled my FoST this last July so it's no longer an issue hahah good luck brotha!

[@jimiboii209]

I’m gonna handle this right now! Thank you bro!

[@jimiboii209]

Feels great! And I didn’t have to take out the stock airbox. Just the engine cover

[@jasonwills6694]

Great video! Subscribed

[@camwrenholman5486]

Sooo, I installed all the JBR goodies without much issue, just the whole pin removal and dropping a shifter base bushing into Narnia...Anwyays that was about a month ago really like the throw reduction and the mechanical, notchy feel. Car is a 2015 has 32k miles on it, and I did notice every once in a while a well mentioned issue like having to hit another gear before first or reverse after parked. After all the JBR goodies were on, this effect became a little more noticeable, just hard to get into first. Sooo, I took to the interwebz and found the ol' neutral reset 'trick'. Now it is even WORSE than before..?! So I reiterate the steps once more, now I cannot get into first literally at all. up far left is 3rd. I can get into second and reverse?! Trans had no issues shifting and actually Saturday Morning dumped Motul DCTF in it and could not believe the DAY AND NIGHT difference in smoothness. I can't believe I ever touched the shifter cable adjustment.. Any suggestions? IF I just buy entirely new OEM cable set from ford (only like $62) will this resolve the issue?!?! Totally willing to just for quick resolution/anything touched by the stealership will cost probably 10X that.. I have friends flying in from out of town Thursday and cant be carless >< Thanks in advance for any suggestions, this is literally like my first issue with this car ever and it is self inflicted, pretty upset lol.

[@Static_Drip]

Hey so what did you do to fix the problem I’m having those issues now and it’s stressing me out

[@kirby1596]

@@Static_Drip I did what I felt was the logical inverse of the neutral reset. I put the car into gear. Unlocked the cable. Then physically slid it the direction opposite of what it would be moving when you're doing the reset (not to get wordy and confusing). My cable, when I looked closely had a dirt ring from where it sat the first 30k miles. I adjusted it back to that "rim" and locked it. Car was back to "normal" 1/2 is still harder to get into than any other gear, but better than when i first installed. Also, if you haven't noticed, the shifter is biased to the left. The physical distance trave to 1/2 is much, much shorter than 5/6. But somehow it still rests dead center at 3/4, lol. Anyways. Hope this helps.

[@OmegaGreedAK47]

Buffalo love! 716

[@Feefa_Here]

What this actually does? Does it somehow adjust shift cables or something?

[@2121ELTIGRE]

Hi ! What year is your Ford focus st ? I have a 2017 White Ford focus st3 & a 2013 Tangerine Ford focus st2 ? Thank you

[@Brendenowits]

Mines a 16 but this should work on all years

[@Sonicaceman]

Hey shout out from Albion NY not far from you I’m going to give this a shot only 30k on car but I’ve noticed recently that before I drive or stop it is tough to get into some gears but shifts fine when driving

[@omgr86]

What is this part called bc i may need another one 😅😅 i broke one of the clips off trying to loosen it

[@Brendenowits]

I would probably call it a shift linkage retainer clip or something like that, I don't know the actual name but any dealer service shop will have an expanded view of the linkage and part numbers

[@omgr86]

@@Brendenowits also looking at the transmission there seems to be a leak coming from somewhere i think it could be the little fill plug on top? Not sure but its concerning me bc i saw the leak a while ago and didnt think much of it. Now its slowly forming a small puddle in the divots of the trans.

[@Bucephalus84]

Wow. It worked

[@Oilatumify]

Thanks mate

[@Ringland_Failure]

Thank god

[@SSNFGU]

Does anyone know why the clip helps. I’m trying to understand the theory as to why this makes the shifter feels gritty in throws. I have a Porsche 911 GT3 that’s having exactly the same issues but I can’t find any forum other than the ST forums as to what this is or why it happens. Or how to fix it on the Porsche end.

[@jonf2009]

Not sure about your Porsche but my guess is the plastic clip on the focus is a wearable part, it's likely set at the factory and as the plastic ages is stretches, this procedure resets the plastic tension to the factory starting point thus extended the life of the plastic clip. With any rear engine or fwd car the shifter uses flexible bushings and clips to allow the in out movement of cables to translate into up down and left right movement of the transmission gears. You may have the same wearable plastic but on the end of a shifter cable, but likely you would be putting yours in neutral then pushing forward to 2nd or third depending on the gear layout. It's 4th for the focus because your adjusting the maximum play the clip and cables allow away from the trans.

[@mustang2005]

Ive done this and i still have issues going into 2nd :( usually when trying to downshift too fast it's like hitting a wall

[@Brendenowits]

Seems like it helps some, if the bushings are really far gone on your car it can effect it negatively. The last and worst reason this may be happening is failing syncros in the transmission

[@mustang2005]

@@Brendenowits i replaced them with the solid bushings and ever since then i have that problem and theres no uninstalling them without getting new cables smh

[@treylatorre1444]

You need new synchros. Our synchros are extreme crap in these cars. Colby Clark’s transmissions is the best option around.

[@mustang2005]

@@treylatorre1444 it happened when i put stiffer shifter bushings

[@austinallison5764]

So just replaced my slave cylinder and having issues getting the car to go into gear while it’s running and in neutral but when the car is off it goes right in any idea?

[@Brendenowits]

was the clutch properly bled after installing the slave? sounds like theres still an issue there.

[@austinallison5764]

@@Brendenowits yeah that’s what I’m thinking I think there is air in the line still.

[@Desaleter1]

Did you ever figure it out? Same issue but haven’t done any kind of work to the transmission

[@djmichaelbrandon3101]

I have that problem getting into reverse. Only 25k miles 2018 st1 model. Anyone else?

[@Justin-mb1bq]

For my 2018 it's going to reverse, and putting it in 1st/2nd

[@attackdog31]

i have a problem on initial startup going into reverse, i put it into first and then back to reverse to unlock the block that i get when trying to put it into reverse

[@ItsCleetus]

@@attackdog31 same here

[@djmichaelbrandon3101]

I read on forums that a cause to this issue is cold temperature

[@greecoboost]

2018 ST2 here. Had that same problem. Try depressing the clutch and shifting into 2nd, then 4th, and THEN try going into reverse. I saw this little trick on the Focus ST forums and it works every time. It also seems to help if you have a heavy shift knob.

[@spencertaylor8574]

Ik I’m late but what if you straight up don’t have a clip

[@Brendenowits]

Uhh im not sure, I figured you'd have alot of shifter issues. might want to tell the dealership

[@cdawg27]

i done broke one side of the clip off, anybody know the part number for it? or a link on where to buy?

[@wickedwonderingdream]

I broke my clip what would u call that

[@Brendenowits]

shift linkage retainer clip? im not sure. The dealers parts room will have an full diagram and part number though. may be able to find something online. Sorry for the troubles.

[@pumpkinspicelatte1731]

Yea good luck buddy, did ya ever find the part number cause I have a pretty good feeling youll be buying a used set of shifter linkage cables or a brand new one...but I dont think they sell that clip by itself. But I may be wrong.

[@wickedwonderingdream]

I broke a lil piece but it’s not going anywhere

[@jacobroberts147]

@@wickedwonderingdream I did the same thing, I broke off one of the two tabs. Do u think as long as one of the tabs are still holding it will be okay? I wrapped electrical tape around it for peace of mind. Hoping it holds

[@wickedwonderingdream]

@@jacobroberts147 you should be fine my Nw been working without tape as long as it’s hard to Unplug it should stay