Need opinions-odd 2nd gear shift but, not grinding

hkspwrsche · 01:43 PM

OK...I've replaced all the bushings and installed a factory ss kit and still havent been able to figure out why the trans balks trying to go into 2nd. While any other gear seems fine.
It does not grind into 2nd but, feels like something might be in the way? even at a complete stop sometimes I can't get this POS into 2nd gear. if you force it it will pop into 2nd gear but, still never grinds.. it was like this before when I first got the car and before all the bushings and shift kit were tried.....
Could this be a clutch cable adjustment? anything else I should try? I did adjust the shifter linkage and the PO changed the trans fluid to swepco. Should I put regular 90 sae in the car?
I'd feel better if it had a little grind to it but, I have no Idea what this is...
thanks

john walker's workshop · 01-09-2005, 01:33 PM

try bolting in a stock shifter for test purposes, and readjust the coupler for the stock shifter.

hkspwrsche · 01-09-2005, 02:09 PM

The last thing I did was install the factory SS kit and re adjust the coupler. Guess I can switch it back....
It also has new sport mounts fr&rear. Since it doesnt grind but, just feels like something in the way I was hoping it was something simple...

djmcmath · 01-09-2005, 02:23 PM

Try just tweaking the coupler a little. When I finished rebuilding my 915 this last summer, I couldn't get into 5th in exactly the same way -- no grind, just felt like it didn't want to go in. Reverse worked fine (same shift plane), but not 5 -- just like for you, 1 works fine, but not 2.

Like JWW says, try adjusting the shift coupler.

Dan

Jack Olsen · 01-09-2005, 02:29 PM

Sounds like the shifter adjustment. But I'd agree with John Walker that it makes sense to take it back to a baseline setup, and then get it adjusted correctly.

Adjusting the shift coupler requires a lot of patience, and the ability to let go of linear thinking, sometimes.

Transaxle fluid and engine mounts are not likely an issue, here, IMO.

hkspwrsche · 01-09-2005, 02:42 PM

ok..adjusting we will go! luckily I have 2 -13mm wrenches and philips head screw driver on call in the rear floor for 24/7 adjusting if needed..

911FL · 01-09-2005, 04:15 PM

Been through the exact same ordeal and just today switched to Swepco, and a little better (fluid was clean, just the acceptable filings on magnet). I have found that if I push in the clutch, wait one second and then shift, no problem most of the time. I have been told anything from synchros to adjustment. And like you, only second, and absolutely no grinding, just a feel like something is in the way, then pop, it'll go right in. As you have noted, this occurs stopped, and also with the engine off. If ANYBODY has a solution here I, and my fellow Virginian, would love to hear it.

john walker's workshop · 01-09-2005, 04:22 PM

the short shifters swing in a wider arc below the fulcrum point. this arc tends to overshoot the perfect H pattern just a bit on either side, so there's a fine line where the coupler adjustment is set, so you can shift smoothly. apparently the factory SS is better in this respect than the others.

911FL · 01-09-2005, 04:38 PM

I have installed the OEM short shifter in mine John, and I do remember that I had to PUSH the shifter against the left side during adjustment to let things line up to get first and second. Do you feel that synchros can be ruled out here and this is a shifter adjustment?

911FL · 01-09-2005, 06:04 PM

Hey Harold, if you find a cure let me know and I'll do the same. I may even switch to the standard shifter but what a major pain, plus I really like the feel of the short shift kit.

DonMo · DonMo's Garage

Hey guys, I have a 84 with short shift kit and the same thing happens, 2nd gear needs a little more effort to get in place. It is an off and on thing. I thought I had adjusted the Wevo PSJ right, no reverse nick and all gears work fine.

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

I have the same problem. I have unfortunatly accepted it as the norm. Mine shifts fine if I shift slowly from 1st to 2nd, one potato... two potato...

Interested to see if adjustment changes yours. I played with mine quite a bit and couldn't get the "sticking" feeling to go away.

Good luck, Gordo

tdatk · 01-09-2005, 06:22 PM

Same here, second only. I had it with the stock shifter and changed to the factory SS and the same results. I have also noticed a reverse nick when I shift from 5 to 4. JW, is there a method to this adjustment?

Tim

hkspwrsche · 01-09-2005, 07:56 PM

Well The last 911 I had would shift as fast as I wanted and worst case would crunch if I was really moving it but, never felt like something was in the way like this one does.. I know that this problem was existing long before the factory SS kit but, I'll switch back to see what happens and readjust..

911FL · 01-10-2005, 07:02 AM

What's the chance that all these trannys need a rebuild? How many miles do you have on yours, has it been rebuilt, and does it have standard or ss kit? Has anyone out there had this problem and fixed it via linkage adjustments?

larry@oma · 01-10-2005, 08:24 AM

sounds like there are a lot of 915 transmissions with shift problems. does the 915 trans have shorter life span then the engines they are bolted to? opinions?

midlife · 01-10-2005, 10:17 AM

I'm not an expert guessing that could be an internal problem, not linkage.
I too have a 915 with issues. Second is hard to go into, but no grinding. Third is easy, but will grind if not slow. Fourth can be downright difficult when cold, or shifting at too low an RPM.
The difficulty changes with speed and temperature, so it should not be linkage.
A rebuild is on my list of projects but I have to finish a few others first.

To answer Larry's question, it seems that the engines can handle a lot more abuse than the trannys. Mine came from a theft recovery vehicle, so somebody litterally drove it like they stole it.

drl911 · drl911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by JackOlsen

Adjusting the shift coupler requires a lot of patience, and the ability to let go of linear thinking, sometimes.

1-2 and 3-2 can be a bear, but never any gear grinding.

Tonight I am going to adjust my again (at least 4th try) and only use "The FORCE" as my guide...

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Before I had to rebuild my tranny this past spring, I experienced what seemed to be similar symptoms as you describe here. It didn't happen all the time, but on occasion, the tranny just did not want to shift into 2nd. In my case, it wasn't a speed thing, because it would even balk while at a stand still.

It seemed as though, like you said, something was blocking it. (Moderators, sorry if this crosses the line, but...) The best way I can describe how it felt is, "It was like trying to "make love" to a woman who still has her panties on. It just would not go in!"

Fortunately, since my rebuild, I have not experienced this at all. You just may be heading down the path for a rebuild of your own.

Randy

kucharskimb · 01-28-2005, 11:31 PM

i have the same issues on a 72 915. it has new 1-2 synchros. one thing i was going to look at was the 2nd gear synchro. i believe there is a max diameter when compressed. is it possible that it is too big to fit in the slider ring?