Is it my synchros?
 

I've been having trouble shifting into 1st and reverse recently and today at the end of a 20 mile drive, I was not able to shift into reverse and could barely shift into 1st. If I tried, I could feel the gears spinning and I would cause a grinding sound (ouch!) if I tried> I pulled her into the garage and went onto my"home renovation project".

Questions:

1. Is this my synchros?

2. I have a good local Porsche mechanic that could do the work as I'm extremely busy rebuilding my house. What would a reasonable charge for this repair be?

3. Am I missing anything?


Thanks!!

Sounds like your clutch isn't releasing all the way. Has it been adjusted lately?

Clutch adjustment. You should be able to hit reverse clash free when the clutch is correctly adjusted. Reverse isn't subject to synchros.

I would adjust the clutch cable (tighten it) and realign the shifter at the coupler. These two things helped when my 911 did exactly what you are describing.

Ditto on the clutch adjustment suggestions.....forget having an effective 1st gear synchro on these transmissions...even with a rebuild, you'll be right back where you started within 6 months.

Guys,

Thanks for the "good news"! I'll take the car to the mechanic this week for the clutch adjustment and watch him do it so I can make the adjustment next time. I'm really busy working on my house and don't have much free time (or cash), so this is really great news! Thanks again!!

art,
the adjustment is a snap. you don't need a mechanic, just like a 13 mm wrench or two (depending on the fitting you have on the tranny end..mine has been altered slightly). just a few turns will make a big difference..this definitely your problem. when the clutch cable needs adjustment, you get 1st and reverse grinds..i adjust mine prolly every 6 months. pm if you need to know more. good luck.
ryan

I finally got around to adjusting my clutch Friday night. I turned it about three full turns clockwise and then tested the clutch and it was perfect! I can't believe the difference! I only wish I would have adjusted the clutch when I first got the car 3 years ago but I didn't have any experience with Porsches and didn't realize the clutch was in need of adjustment. Many thanks to "bigchillcar" (Ryan) for his email telling me exactly how to make the adjustment. Now the clutch is much easier to engage and disengage and makes for a more pleasant driving experience.

I've never driven any other Porsche, so I had no way to know how the clutch was supposed to feel. Anyone else out there in a similar situation? I would never ask someone if I could drive their car and nobody has ever offered, so I'm handicapped by my lack of "Porsche experience"...

Art, Great to hear a minor adjustment took care of the problem.

Before I ended up buying an SC that had a pretty heavy clutch pedal, I test drove an 86 that had 60k on it.

That '86 showed me how good a 915 could be, so now I've rebuilt my pedal cluster, replaced all the springs along with the clutch cable and the shifter bushings are probably next. I'm about 90% there and your post made me think.... if I didn't know how smooth and effortless shifting could get, I might have been very happy status quo.

Sometimes ignorance is bliss! :p

art,
that's super! glad to hear it..now you know a 'secret'.. ;)
ryan

I just came back from a spirited 20 mile drive and the clutch is perfect! What a joy to be able to easily shift into 1st!! Wow, my humble 915 is smooth and fun to shift again. Thanks for the help guys!!

;) all in a day's work, art.. :)

yep, from now on you'll know when it's adjustment time..characteristically, both 1st and reverse begin to grind. glad to hear it.
ryan