Sometimes have to force it in especially when first start--cold. It always resists some going intro 5th and reverse however. Can a transmission shop look at the linkage and or this problem? Why would it be bother reverse and 5th gear only? Obviously they are on the same horizontal throw of the shifter.

 

I haven't noticed any trouble with the 5th on mine, but I got to do the same thing with shifting into 1st before reverse. And it's sometimes near impossible to get it into 1st if the car is still, if it's moving even a little it goes in like nothing. It doesn't grind, it just won't go in... If I forget to shift to 1st before the car stops completely at a light for example I usually use the 2nd to take off with, unless it's enough downhill to get the car rolling a bit.

 

Funny you mention that ... After I jumped timing and blew my engine backing out of a parking spot, I also blew reverse and 5th gear. Getting a new tranny shipped ATM.

 

I have a similar problem. When I look down on top the trans where the golf club looking thing is which the shift linkage connects to it has like warn marks from like rubing something