1991 SHO Clutch/shifting difficulties

[Lurch]

Ok, here's the deal: I can hardly get my SHO in gear. I'm pretty sure the clutch is not disengaging all the way, but I would like to hear some opinions from people in the know, as I have had the car less than 24 hrs. I can mash the clutch to the floor, and must use waaaayyy too much force to get the car in any forward gear. I'm talking bracing on the seat and pushing to the point that the shift handle flexes. When it does go in gear, it does with a thud, like it finally gives and goes in gear. There is no grinding like I would expect with a clutch that is not disengaging all the way, and I can hear what I think to be a throwout bearing problem. Also, reverse goes in fairly easily, but there is a grinding as it goes in. Yes, I know to wait 3 seconds after taking the car out of gear to go to reverse, but the grinding happens anyway. Of course, any shifting at all is only possible because the clutch is ON THE FLOOR HARD. I have tried the "pull up with your toe and then press down" to auto-adjust the clutch to no avail. What does this sound like to you SHO gurus? Do I need a clutch, tranny, TOB, bullet in the head for getting a car with a known clutch problem (that was much less pronounced yesterday)? Should I try to drive it to a shop/garage/dealer, popping into gear all the way, or have it towed to its destination?

PS I am 17, and have no prior experience tearing things (read "transaxles") apart. I don't relish doing this work myself, so unless it is a fairly simple solution I believe I'll take it to a professional (read "con-artist"). Though I am car literate.

 

[93MTXSHO]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

Sounds just like my 93 with 196K on it. When I first got it, shifting was very difficult, much like you have described. Entirely too much force was needed to get the car in gear. Mine also would grind going into reverse, no matter what I did. I even tried the 2-1 then reverse, it would still grind. Try this putz along the road for a bit at about 40-45 in 5th and then mash the gas to the floor. If the clutch is the problem, you will hear the engine rev, but the car won't speed up as quickly. I honestly believe that my problem was pressure plate and possibly throw-out bearing related. After I got the car back the clutch goes to the floor so much easier, and I don't have any trouble shifting. My guess would be that you're looking at one of the the wonderful aspects of the SHO, clutch replacement. I had mine done for 490 labor and 260 in parts. When you have it done, make sure they replace the rear main seal (I wish I had) and machine the flywheel. You'll already have it apart so the labor won't amount to much more. You don't mention what year your car is, but if it has the cable shifter (89-mid 91), you may have a stretched cable, but I think your problem is most likely the clutch. Driving it to a shop more than likely won't hurt anything. I drove mine for about a month before I finally realized that the clutch was slipping. BTW, when you post it's a good idea to include year and transmission.

PS. Don't shoot yourself, these are great cars, but the miles are racking up and they're starting to have problems. The clutch isn't that big of a deal, all cars eventually have to be replaced. I'm 17, so I know what it's like to just get a car and then have to dump $800 into it. Just wait until you get the new clutch broken in. After I did, I was finally able to chirp 3rd. thumbs_u

 

[Lurch]

Sorry, I included the year in the title of my text, and I assumed that the fact that the car was a manual was evident from the references to the clutch wink Thanks for the info.

 

[Trydon]

hey, you might just luck out and not need a new clutch. you mentioned that you already pulled the pedal back and nothing happened. well, the gear that is above the pedal for moving back the pedal to adjust the cable(should be white plastic) can be adjusted itself. there is an adjuster for moving the gear closer to the pedal. it is kind of hard to notice, but you should see a small rectangular piece of plastic coming off of the gear connecting to the pedal. push the pedal down. use something to hold the gear in place(i used my hands) now the pedal should pull back more, you should hear and feel it click a couple of times. then you can let go of the gear and the pedal and that should take care of it. it is kind of hard to hold the gear in place but you should be able to do it. i'm sure there is another way of doing this, but this way was easiest for me.

 

[SHO_Driver]

Lurch:

I had the same problem with my '90. First drain the tranny and put in synthetic Dexron III, wal-mart carries a couple different brands. The shifting should be smoother, especially first and reverse.

Now check your shifting technique. My car has 110K miles on the clutch, probably contributing to the problem. So here's how I shift: To go into 1st move the shifter into 4th, then go quickly into first. When slowing to a stop try to get into 1st gear before coming to a complete stop. For the infamous Reverse go to third, wait 3sec then grab reverse..quick. If it won't engage try a forward gear to roll the car up a bit then try reverse again. All other gear changes must be firm and fast, slow shifting leads to slight grinds and lock outs.

This all must sound very weird but after I got used to it I almost never grind or get locked out of a gear. All of this should improve with a nice new clutch, coming next year in my case. Remember the SHO isn't an ordinary car that can be driven by anyone. It takes skill's to drive this hybrid.