930 Shifting

[tmalaret]

My 930 requires attention when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. I have learned to concentrate and keep my technique soft when my feet are getting much more forceful. Indeed like so many others on these forums I have come to enjoy this as part of the experience. Also, reverse will require some serious patience (after driving) to prevent grinding. Unless you are on an incline that will allow you to gently roll back. Today a Porsche dealer service manager said this required immediate attention and would need to have the engine & trans pulled to investigate. They would do this for only $2,500. Now it seems to me that in knowing the clutch needs some adjustment and not knowing the condition of the linkage, pulling the trans is somewhat of a rush in. Please let me know what you think.

[ChrisBennet]

Reverse shouldn't grind unless the transmission is still spinning internally. Perhaps the clutch is not disengaging fully? (Reverse has no synchro.)
-Chris

[tmalaret]

The reverse condition is "sometimes" My experience with old car transmissions is that this is common and to be cautious and go slow because you can not tell if it is in position to be immediately pushed into gear. I am use to hopping in different vintage cars and I try to remember to double pump go slow and even take a little bit of roll back when it is there. As far as the shifting is concerned I am becoming increasingly aware that if my technique (as it relates to this car) is off I will get a grind in 2nd or 3rd gear. I just installed a helper spring and will adjust the clutch when I can get someone to help, as it hard to be in the car and under the car at the sametime. I will also inspect and adjust the shift linkage. In the meantime I would really appreciate (those of you with this transmission especially) continuing to shareyour thoughts.

[9dreizig]

$2500 just to drop the engine to "investigate" , my surgeon would charge me less for exploratory surgery! Both of my 930 are tough to get into reverse.. Sounds like you need some freshening up on 2nd and 3rd synchro's.. This should be about $1k in parts if done right ( changing everything that 2nd and 3rd touch ( synchro's, sliders, etc etc). Great DIY project ( I plan to do mine at the end of the summer or winter). YOu've got plenty of Pelicans in your area to help.. Chris Bennet also makes house calls ( airplane tickets, food and mountain dew will cost you)

[tmalaret]

So "enjoy every sandwich" Warren Zevon

[dentist90]

Both of your described problems may be related to a poorly adjusted clutch. If your 3rd synchro is worn and the clutch is not fully released you may get a crunch on shifting. Ditto the Reverse problem if the input shaft is still spinning. If you depress the clutch pedal and count to 5 reverse should not grind at all. It might balk if the teeth aren't lined up properly... this is where rolling it a bit will help. A simple test is to either move the clutch bump-stop on the floorboard forward a bit to allow a bit more pedal travel, or adjust the clutch cable and/or throwout arm set screw at the transmission. You don't need a helper for these adjustments.
Try this first before you decide it's clutch or tranny rebuild time!

[Miguel Antonett]

No, no don't do that. They are trying to rip you off.

First inspect the bushings in the shift rod coupler - DYI, second check the clutch travel. Might need 3rd synchros, but you can go long time if being gentle and shift with "three fingers".

[tmalaret]

What really torqued my nuts about this is that he refers to the trans and writes "feels stiff mabe OK". What is that suppose to mean? To me it says he just does not know. The crunch really only happens during spirited driving and is definitely speed related. When driving casually it is not an issue. I will check all the suggestions made on Monday and post here.

[JFairman]

Sounds like the 3rd gear synchro is worn out.
While the mechanic is in there he will definately find other things that should be replaced too.

You can't just push it into reverse after idleing in nuetral with the clutch out because the gear sets are still spinning.
Especially once the oil is hot...

You can gently pull it part way back into 2nd breifly to use the second gear synchro to stop the gears from spinning, then shift into reverse.
That won't hurt anything and it works.
If reverse isn't lined up and won't go in, let the clutch out for a quick moment to reposition the gears or push it into another gear to move them a little.
Then reverse should engage smoothly.

[9dreizig]

With my 86 ( the one the synchro's are going) I use the "one thousand one" method of shifting and there's no problems.. 930s were never intended to be speed shifted..