No 5th gear. Need some help

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 02:39 PM

Ok, I need some assistance now.

Today I lost 5 th gear while out on a cruise. By losing 5th gear I mean it was there the entire trip and then I couldn't get the lever into the gear. It's like there is blockage. I pulled the rear cover between the seats and moved the coupler by hand. I could find every gear but 5th.
There was no bang or anything to indicate there was a problem. I pulled the shift forks tonight and examined them. Still tight and no chunks of gear or anything in the fluid. WTH?!!!! First through fourth work great as well as reverse although it was a bit difficult to get reverse. The gear selector in the trans appears to be moving ok. I can move it back and forth. All of the associated bushings are alomost new so that is out.
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Wayne

Had a great time today with the Motorstadt boys from Lansing. Nice GT3 was running in front of me. What a car!!

Jim Sims · 10-08-2006, 02:49 PM

Detents? Has the transmission been apart?

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 02:51 PM

Yup, rebuilt three years ago. I haven't had any problems with it.

Jim Sims · 10-08-2006, 02:56 PM

You can find reverse; car has been actually been backed using reverse since loss of 5th?

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 02:59 PM

Yes, used reverse couple of times on the way on home today. It's a long drive 80 miles in fourth gear.

Jim Sims · 10-08-2006, 03:11 PM

Have you tried disconnecting the shift coupler from the horizontal shift rod going forward and then trial shifting with the coupler to eliminate the possibility of the front shifter under the knob jamming out 5th?

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 03:16 PM

Yes, tried that as well. It would not engage 5th gear with that method, either. Again, it seemed as if there is something blocking the move.

Jim Sims · 10-08-2006, 03:29 PM

Then I suspect either the 5th gear synchronizer is having problems or the 5th/reverse detent is jammed. Since 5th and reverse gear are in the front "cone" of the transmission any loose items from the 5th gear synchronizer may have not yet worked their way aft to the top of the shift fork guide cover plate.

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 03:38 PM

So the trans need to come out? I have been reading archives in between conversing with you.
I would suspect the 5th gear detent is jammed as I had no grinding or any problems with the trans after the rebuild until now. Can this be fixed whith the trans in place?

Jim Sims · 10-08-2006, 03:54 PM

I'm actually leaning toward 5th gear synchronizer problems given it gave out on a longer trip where you likely were in 5th gear for extended periods. How's the clutch adjustment? Being out of adjustment can overwork the synchros. Usually the detent problems causes one to get stuck in two gears at once. To address either system, the transmission has to come out. The 3/4 and 5/R detent "channel" is accessed from the top of the transmission.

See the attached figure.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 10-08-2006, 03:57 PM

I'm not sure I understand exactly what the problem is here, but I lost fifth gear awhile ago on the way home from a DE at Lime Rock. Totally, no way it would go into fifth. Blocked entirely. Drove all the way home in fourth--no big deal. Then did a careful, start-from-step-a readjustment of the shift coupler and that fixed it.

wcc · 10-08-2006, 04:16 PM

I tried calling you about an hour ago to ask if you had any grinding issues. But it doesn't sound like you did. I thought maybe you lost a tooth off of 5th or some other part was lodged in there somewhere. I does seem to have something blocking it from going into 5th.

I worked on this with Wayne and we concluded that it was not caused from the coupler forward to the shifter. It was definitely something transmission related.

This winter when you have your trans out for that new clutch we could take the nose off and see what's going on in there. I think this is something we could tackle. That would save a few bucks from taking it to a shop. Let me know when you want some help and I'll come over.

Oh Haha · 10-08-2006, 04:35 PM

Unfortunately, I think the trans will need to be out to address the issue. I already told Amanda I would be doing any work on it. (Why, yes, she WAS happy as he!! that I would be putting more money into the 911!!

)

I was just telling her last night that I would like to put in a new clutch over the winter. She said she would like to get a Tiptronic 993 Targa so we wouldn't have to drive it so "hard". Yeah, right!!!!!

Bill, I'll let you know when it's time to do mine. We need to get yours back in shape for next weekend. I'll be skipping the Color Tour with RSR. I'm NOT driving the mini-van!!

Thanks for the help today.

wcc · 10-09-2006, 03:31 AM

Monday Morning Bump........

In case others have some ideas.