Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
97-early 03, the 4th gear clutch shaft was not hardened. The thin, small and weak splines would wear out. If you are in 4th and stuff the pedal, all that torque loads up on the shaft a moment or two before the downshift to 3rd occurs. The added torque doesn't help the wussy little splines. Therefore most suggest pulling down to third and then stuffing the pedal.
Any way to tell whether an 03 has a hardened 4th or not?