Problems getting into gear

[masho95]

Recently been having problems getting the shifter into first and second mostly. It's so hard to get into first from a standstill I just don't bother trying anymore. I shift into fourth gear then it'll smoothly go into first gear. I've had issues getting it into third gear a little bit (but rarely) while driving.

New Southbend DXD clutch was put in this past summer, and seemed to start shortly after that, which makes me think it's a clutch issue not a transmission or linkage issue, although the rod shifter went in a little tough when it went back together.

There's no grinding noise when it's hard to get into gear either. It's just not a smooth shift anymore and it gets REALLY frustrating sometimes. Nothing like getting your green light and sitting there trying to get the shifter into first gear forever. :shakehead Half the time I'll just sit at a light now when it still in first gear and the clutch pedal in.

Any ideas on what could be causing this? Thanks!

 

[SHOBlu]

Perhaps your blocking rings are worn out, or..... the pressure plate is not completely releasing the clutch disk and disengaging the engine and transmission. Just a couple of ideas...

 

[spiegeltuxer]

How old it the transmission fluid? I'd try swapping it out if its been in there more than 20k or so. I like Royal Purple Max ATF.

 

[masho95]

How old it the transmission fluid? I'd try swapping it out if its been in there more than 20k or so. I like Royal Purple Max ATF.

I did remove almost all the old ATF I could and used Hurst Trick Shift ATF. It's a synthetic fluid which seemed to work well for me in the past when I mixed a little with the Mobil 1 ATF. Maybe I'll just dump out all that fluid and try something else. Where is the Royal Purple Max ATF available from? I don't think I've ever seen any around.

As for the above suggestions about the blocking rings, I'm going to assume not since I did put brand new ones in when the Quaife was installed a few years ago. And if the PP wasn't completely seperating from the clutch disk wouldn't there be some grindage issues when I'm having trouble getting it into gear?

Didn't Tim or someone have some type of shim to adjust new clutchs that they were installing at the last convention? I wonder if something like that would help out.

 

[spiegeltuxer]

You can get Royal Purple from:

NAPA Auto Parts 219 Exchange Street Chicopee 01013 413-594-5200

If they dont have in stock, their warehouse should have it and it takes a day or two to get to the store. All their oils are different than anybody elses due to synerlac technology they have a patent for.

 

[93rev2sev]

Four possible solutions: in order of likelyhood

1.
While pushing the gear selector towards first gear, let off the clutch just enough to rotate the tranny just a little. As you let the clutch out, keep a little pressure on the shifter. It should pop into gear when the clutch comes out far enough to spin the tranny a bit. When you feel the shifter start to slip into gear, put the clutch pedal back on the floor until you are ready to take off.

I am guessing that the gears don't line up all the time and bumping the clutch rotates the tranny internals so that you can pop the selector into gear.

I have always assumed that I had low or used up fluid but it continued after Bizzy rebuilt my tranny.

2.
Replacing your trans fluid may help if your clutch is not fully disengaging. (doubt this is the case) and eventually, your clutch will fully disengage.

3.
Your shifter is too sloppy to position the shift shaft correctly. Get a new shifter

4.
Your clutch cable is worn(streached) beyond the point where it fully disengages the clutch. Get a new cable/and or quadrant.

Let me know if you try the first thing.

 

[neg1ohs]

1.
While pushing the gear selector towards first gear, let off the clutch just enough to rotate the tranny just a little. As you let the clutch out, keep a little pressure on the shifter. It should pop into gear when the clutch comes out far enough to spin the tranny a bit. When you feel the shifter start to slip into gear, put the clutch pedal back on the floor until you are ready to take off.

I am guessing that the gears don't line up all the time and bumping the clutch rotates the tranny internals so that you can pop the selector into gear.

I have always assumed that I had low or used up fluid but it continued after Bizzy rebuilt my tranny.

2.
Replacing your trans fluid may help if your clutch is not fully disengaging. (doubt this is the case) and eventually, your clutch will fully disengage.

3.
Your shifter is too sloppy to position the shift shaft correctly. Get a new shifter

4.
Your clutch cable is worn(streached) beyond the point where it fully disengages the clutch. Get a new cable/and or quadrant.

Let me know if you try the first thing.

dont mean to jack your post butim having the same problem how hard is it to do the clutch cable?and change fluid?would it help if i got rod shifters too?

 

[SHO_Driver]

I've had first gear problems since I got my SHO 4 years ago. Even after changing the clutch, blocking rings and fluid it still resists 1st gear unless I go to 4th then back to 1st. I believe it must be the 1-2 syncro since everything else was changed.

 

[Bizzy]

I did remove almost all the old ATF I could and used Hurst Trick Shift ATF.

That's your problem right there. Get that shit out of your trans and put all Mobil 1 or other quality fluid in there like Royal Purple. Trick Shift and it's sister fluid Hot Shift, suck in a major kind of way.

 

[masho95]

That's your problem right there. Get that shit out of your trans and put all Mobil 1 or other quality fluid in there like Royal Purple. Trick Shift and it's sister fluid Hot Shift, suck in a major kind of way.

Ok it's going to come out ASAP then.

1.
While pushing the gear selector towards first gear, let off the clutch just enough to rotate the tranny just a little. As you let the clutch out, keep a little pressure on the shifter. It should pop into gear when the clutch comes out far enough to spin the tranny a bit. When you feel the shifter start to slip into gear, put the clutch pedal back on the floor until you are ready to take off.

I've tried this before and it doesn't seem to make any difference on the ease of shifting.

But as far as the shifter is old and sloppy get a new one, I have a Jose SHOrt Shifter so I doubt that's the problem, more likely that it's misaligned. Because I had some issues getting the stablizer bolt to thread in easy when I put the shifter back together after the clutch job.

But first things first, time to get that crappy tranny fluid out! Thanks for all the suggestions.

And now that's it's starting to warm up I can come out of SHOforum hibernation.

 

[AREA 91]

If it makes you feel any better, my + has always done this. It had new blocking rings and syncro's installed along with the quaife.

 

[SonicRiot]

I have seen clutches or release/TO bearings hanging up on the input shaft splines and not allowing the trans to slip into gear with no grinding present. It's usually a result of dirty splines, worn clutch, or a "performance" hamstermarket clutch that has a poor fit or finish.

Fluid definately changes the shift characteristics, but in my experience it usually lends to poor shift quality, not really blocked shifting.

Bad bushings or worn parts are a more likely cause. To pinppoint your problem, change the fluid and visually inspect the shift rod bushings. Replace them it they are worn.

If that doesn't solve it, then contemplate pulling the trans and looking at the clutch assembly.

 

[AREA 91]

In my case it's only 1st gear. That leads me to the 1/2 syncro or blocking rings.

 

[SonicRiot]

That makes sense. HOWEVER, many older cars do no even have syncronized 1st gear. At a complete stop, there is no issue; only when shifting into 1st while moving. Just something to think about.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

It is pretty simply to test and rule out any clutch issues.

Turn the engine OFF, then try shifting into 1st. If is slides right in, you've got clutch issues.

If it still hangs up, you have trans or linkage issues.

 

[masho95]

It is pretty simply to test and rule out any clutch issues.

Turn the engine OFF, then try shifting into 1st. If is slides right in, you've got clutch issues.

If it still hangs up, you have trans or linkage issues.

Wouldn't that be the same test as, getting it into first gear going back to neutral without letting up on the clutch and then going back to first gear. If that's the case then it'll go smooth into first gear. It's only when I go from neutral to first gear the first time.

 

[AREA 91]

It's only when I go from neutral to first gear the first time.


BINGO!!!!

 

[masho95]

It's only when I go from neutral to first gear the first time.


BINGO!!!!

Ok, yeah I confirmed it when I came home today. It'll shift into first no problem with the car off. So I can rule out tranny fluid/shift linkage and focus on a clutch problem them huh?

What type of clutch problems would cause this. I'm especially baffled because there is no grindage when it won't shift. I thought if it was a clutch problem the it would grind if the clutch wasn't releasing all the way. Could this be a clutch cable/quadrant issue still? I don't think I in anyway stretched the cable but who knows. Maybe the self adjuster isn't working correctly? Can I manually test the adjuster? Which way would I spin the wheel with teeth on it? Lift up on the pedal and turn it so it spins up or down?
Thanks again.

 

[Bizzy]

Ok, yeah I confirmed it when I came home today. It'll shift into first no problem with the car off. So I can rule out tranny fluid/shift linkage and focus on a clutch problem them huh?

I wouldn't rule out the fluid just yet. If I was you I'd still be getting that fluid out of your trans and replace it with decent trans fluid. When I rebuilt the trans for my 91 I used the exact same fluid and it started out getting tough going into 1st then got worse and worse, then got bad when shifting into 2nd and then 3rd and so on and so forth.

Replace the fluid and see if it makes any difference at all, remember that you should feel an immediate change but the full effects of good fluid being in there won't be noticed for about 50 miles or so. At the very least you'll know you have decent fluid in there if nothing else.

I'm not saying that it's not the clutch or linkage because it could be, but that you should try changing the fluid first because the fluid you have in there now is horrible for our transmissions and I know that it can make your trans act like that from personal experience.

 

[masho95]

I wouldn't rule out the fluid just yet. If I was you I'd still be getting that fluid out of your trans and replace it with decent trans fluid.

Definitely will still go ahead and change that out. It's a alot easier then dropping the tranny again.

Maybe I can get to doing that tomorrow morning then I'll let you all know how it goes.