[sammyg2]

This is a post for all the newbies out there, I learned this from this board and from personal experience:

Any time you have trouble shifting into certain gears, check these four things first before doing anything else!
1) clutch adjustment. Adjust it at least three times. that way you're sure to get it just right.
2) engine/tranny mounts. Inspect and or replace. check them very close, sometimes they look good when they are not.
3) shift bushings. They wear out and get real bad. Sometimes it happens gradually and we don't realize it.
4) shift linkage adjustment. Not that easy, sometimes it comes right in, sometimes it fights you. Do not try this one until you complete the first three.

then after all four steps, you can be sure it's your transaxle. many, many times it isn't.