Car is Officially Parked for the Weekend

[Nessa]

Okay, so went out this morning, 84 degrees outside, parked in the shade. Everything was normal, small amount of grinding in reverse as usual. Made a stop at the thrift shop on the way home, parked in the sun, still 84 degrees. After being gone about five minutes, I come back, and it will absolutely positively NOT shift into first, which it does sometimes. But then it won't shift into second either, which usually if it's stiff into first, shifting into second then first will take care of. Third won't work either, and it wants to pop back out of fourth when I try and shift there. The transmission has always seemed to struggle in the heat. Keep trying to get a look at the clutch cable bushing, but I can't seem to find the time. Now I have no choice, car is parked until I can look at it, as I'm scared to drive it now. I did finally, after waiting a bit get it to go second then first. Seemed to run a touch stiffer than normal, but I was able to get it home.

Is this clutch cable bushing the most likely culprit? Or do clutch problems get worse in the heat? Definitely felt like the clutch didn't engage at all, and when it grinds, generally feels like the clutch isn't engaging all the way.

 

[kevinspann]

Not sure if it's the bushing or the clutch without being where. Your problem sounds like the clutch not disengaging all the way I.E. engine and transmission are still "connected" so it won't want to shift.


How does the clutch pedal feel? Heavy? Not smooth?

 

[Nessa]

It's always been firm, but smooth. No change in the clutch pedal at all. I'm not sure what to think. My poor car, she's been so good to me, yet I drive her all over CA knowing she has problems. I definitely believe the heat is a factor in how bad the transmission acts. It definitely felt like I didn't push the clutch pedal down before shifting. Normally when it shifts rough it feels like I didn't push it down all the way, even though I know I did.

 

[rubydist]

what happens when you try to shift it into gear? - does it grind, or is it feeling like it takes an infinite force to push it into gear but no grinding? the causes are very different depending on the details of the symptoms.

 

[Nessa]

I've had both. Today it was the second, no grinding, it just wouldn't go.

 

[jelloslug]

Check your shifter rods. If the stabilizer bar is loose on the transmission you won't be able to shift properly.

 

[Nessa]

Okay, so looked at the trans cable bushing all by myself. Think I found it. Unless the bushing is yellow, it's not there (or I totally misidentified what I was looking at). This is what I saw (please excuse the poor quality, they're cell phone pictures):

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

Pics are taken leaning over driver's side tire. More can be uploaded if needed for better understanding.

 

[jayro]

The yellow bushing is the cable bushing. You should be able to prop up the clutch pedal all the way with a wrench or something. Then use a pair of needle nose plyers to unhook the clutch cable from the arm on the trans (just to the left of the bushing in the pic). Then you can work the cable out to get abetter look at the bushing. There are usually clips that hold the bushing in the hole on the trans, it looks like yours doesnt have any.

 

[Nessa]

The yellow bushing is the cable bushing. You should be able to prop up the clutch pedal all the way with a wrench or something. Then use a pair of needle nose plyers to unhook the clutch cable from the arm on the trans (just to the left of the bushing in the pic). Then you can work the cable out to get abetter look at the bushing. There are usually clips that hold the bushing in the hole on the trans, it looks like yours doesnt have any.

Just to be clear, "Yours doesn't have any," is referring to any of the clips, correct?

 

[jayro]

Just to be clear, "Yours doesn't have any," is referring to any of the clips, correct?

Yes. The clips are just plastic prongs that go through the hole and clip on the back side to hold it to the trans. Make since? Kinda hard to describe with words. Look at pick of the cable bushing at ShoSource...should be self expanitory.

 

[Nessa]

Gotcha. I didn't see any on mine. I didn't recognize that as the bushing as it looks different.

 

[rubydist]

so if it doesn't grind, but feels like it takes infinite pressure to get it into gear, then it is not a clutch cable or clutch release issue - in those cases you would get grinding.

your symptoms can be caused by an issue with the shift mechanism either inside or outside of the trans - could be binding of the shift cable or rod, or (more likely) an issue with the shift forks inside the transmission.

btw, the clutch cable bushing you have should not be causing any problems for you - I've seen others like that on cars that the clutch worked fine.

 

[dantheman68]

if you have a rod shifter, check the linkage. The stabilizer rod bolts to the trans... If it is loose, you will have grinding or will not be able to shift into forward gears (1,3,5) and usually grinding or some other issue with the rest of your gears. Take an 18 mm wrench and tighten it up and the issue should go away.... Be careful not to overtighten because the transmission case is aluminium

 

[kevinspann]

if you have a rod shifter, check the linkage. The stabilizer rod bolts to the trans... If it is loose, you will have grinding or will not be able to shift into forward gears (1,3,5) and usually grinding or some other issue with the rest of your gears. Take an 18 mm wrench and tighten it up and the issue should go away.... Be careful not to overtighten because the transmission case is aluminium

Unless the boss is already broken...

 

[Racer X]

Difficulty going into gear with the engine running means that the clutch isn't fully disengaged, and you're fighting against the synchros to force it in.

This usually means one of two things:
- Clutch cable is at issue (that bushing does look a bit suspect; check adjuster pawl and spring for proper operation)
- Your PP or throwout bearing has an issue (worn or missing PP fingers, destroyed throwout bearing).

If the cable, adjuster and bushing check out, the transmission will likely need to come off.

Good luck.

 

[itwonder]

I didn't see if you mentioned whether the car is running or not when you try to shift into first. If it refuses to go in with the car running, turn the car off, and then try to put in gear. If it goes in, leave it in gear with clutch in and restart it. That will at least get you home. If it won't go in with engine off, sounds like a linkage issue.

 

[wjayg]

grinding

Everything was normal, small amount of grinding in reverse as usual

Put the tranny in a gear first and then shift it into reverse

it only grinds when you shift into reverse w/o shifting into another gear first

 

[Nessa]

Rubydist - I've always had some issues with grinding and stiffness in first and reverse, especially so in the heat. This was the first incidence of not being able to get into gear at all. I ordered the bushing anyway, because it's a fairly easy and cheap fix, and perhaps it'll do something.

Dantheman - It is cable shift, but I'll look for any loose bolts on the tranny when I install the bushing.

RacerX- Definitely feels like the clutch is not disengaging properly (and yesterday not at all) so I'm looking into potential causes for that.

Itwonder- The engine was running, I was in a 30 minute parking only in Bakersfield, and kinda panicked. I didn't think to try turning it off and shifting, it did however end up shifting after a little bit and I did get it home.

Wjayg- I've had grinding in reverse a long time. Shifting into second, then reverse reduces the amount I have, and sometimes makes for no grinding at all, but I definitely use synchros from other gears to help both first and reverse.

 

[itwonder]

How long since the last transmission fluid change? Try changing it with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.

 

[Racer X]

If it grinds going into reverse after you've stopped the gears in a synchronized forward gear first, your clutch isn't disengaging.