Sticks in 5th

[cashflyer]

I think I know the answer, but want to get a few opinions before taking things apart and buying parts.

My wife and I went for a leisurely mountain drive over the weekend. Not fast or "sporting" because we were just enjoying the mountains for what they are - not pretending they are a racetrack.

Anyway, each time I would shift into 5th the shifter would become stuck in 5th and had to really put some muscle into taking it out of position for the down shift.

Based on other threads, I'm thinking it is the shifter bushing.

Anyone disagree?

[Brent Lineker]

Mine does as well and has for a long time,I just push it slightly towards fifth(or up)and it glides back out of gear like butter.Try that first before tearing into it.

[jester911]

It is possible the shift coupler needs adjusting. Something I picked up last week on rennlist from Peter Zimmerman who knows these cars pretty well said he advises to shift out of 5th above 50 mph.
I never heard this before but it maybe something to think about.

[sjf911]

I have had this happen with a completely rebuilt tranny and all new shifter and coupler bushings. I suspect it is more related to coupler adjustment than anything else in my case.

[Blk95993]

Try JW's method to adj the shift coupler. Takes about 5 mins tops. Lets us know what you find. CB

[Rusty Heap]

YUP. adjust the shift coupler.......

[Early_S_Man]

I don't think it is the shift coupler ...

If the problem is a permanent annoyance from now on, then it is probably a worn 'spider' and shift sleeve 'slider' ... long usage on the highway in 5th gear tends to wear grooves in both parts that match each other and tend to be very 'notchy' to get out of gear, and you can feel the grooves with a fingernail.

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by Early_S_Man

I don't think it is the shift coupler ...

If the problem is a permanent annoyance from now on, then it is probably a worn 'spider' and shift sleeve 'slider' ... long usage on the highway in 5th gear tends to wear grooves in both parts that match each other and tend to be very 'notchy' to get out of gear, and you can feel the grooves with a fingernail.

Not sure I agree. Mine was doing this before an engine rebuild (not transmission) and some new shift coupler bushings and a new clutch. Doesn't stick in 5th any more.

[Early_S_Man]

Many conditions can contribute to the stated problem, including:

1. Clutch maladjustment ... too much free play causing incomplete disengagement.

2. Worn, or frayed, stretching clutch cable, or pedal box/clevis & lever/bushing wear issues.

3. Worn shifter that needs disassembling, cleaning, shimming to eliminate all excessive play.

4. Worn ball cup bushing, loose coupler bolt or set screws, crumbling coupler bushings ...

5. Loose studs or nuts holding the guide fork to the shift fork cover.

6. Old, dirty gear oil that may be a bit low and accelerating wear on 5th gear synchronizer and shifting components due to the low oil level.

If ALL of the above are all taken care of, and a lot of 'steel fur' was found on the drain plug magnet ... you can try the 'quick flush' of the gear oil -- two changes with Valvoline or Castrol petroleum gear oil separated by 200 - 500 miles. If the sticking persists, you might as well figure on a teardown and rebuild.

[cab83_750]

I had that issue after cruising on the fwy. I adjusted the shift coupler and never recurred again.

Good luck!

[cashflyer]

Thanks for some good suggestions!

I am able to avoid the problem by very gently easing the car into 5th, and being sure not to push the stick all the way forward. It's when the stick goes forward to the stop that it sticks.


A little background: Transmission was just rebuilt a few hundred miles ago, including new 1-2 and 5-R sliders and synchros. The shifter would hang occasionally both before the overhaul, and still does it now. This is why I don't think it's a tranny problem.

Shift coupler position was not changed during the removal or install.

It did not have this issue when I purchased the car in 2005. The problem first manifest around November 06, and has gotten more frequent. This is why I suspect a wear related item.

I'll check back for comments and input, but will plan on rechecking coupler alignment this weekend.

[steviee7]

it happened to me and it turned out to be the little safety that keeps you from shifting from 5th to reverse. There is a spring loaded piece inside the shifter. Sometimes I would shift to 5th a not so perfect way and that saftey would catch after I got into 5th, causing a little muscle to get it out of 5th. With the car in first gear I loosend the shift coupler and re-adjusted it . Works fine ever since. It was also possibly due to a worn coupler, the rubber gromets on mine were worn to almost missing.

Good luck.

[cab83_750]

Cashflyer,

I also recently rebuilt mine; then, the 5th started to stick after cruising above 50+mph......... dejavuh!!!!


There is almost no way that the coupler would not need adjustment after removing the tranny...... try the adjustment (u have nothing to lose). All it takes is 5-15 minutes.

[4flyboy]

Wow this is a relief.....I think. My '85 coupe w/95k on it just exhibited this exact symptom on a late night jaunt home on the Fwy. I reached for it and it felt solid then let go, thought (hoped) that it was my imagination. Shifted back up and down quickly and it was like butter. Cruised for another 10 min. in 5th and same thing. Definitely not imagination. Thanks for the tips, I'll get into it this weekend.

Scott

[Buckterrier]

My 84' does this a bit also in 5th gear, I push forward slightly and then back down into 4th and it works fine like that.

[cashflyer]

I recently SOLVED this problem and want to pass along what I found in hopes that it may help somebody else. Particularly, it may solve Mark's problem based on his post.

The problem with my shifter was that the shifter was not going fully past the reverse lockout when shifting into 5th. This caused the lockout to bind against the shifter when trying to pull it out of 5th.

The solution, at least for me was the following. Since I had recently had the engine and trans out of the car, I jacked it back up and loosened (not removed!) the motor and transmission support bolts. I then shook the engine and trans around a bit (okay... 'shook' is a bit subjective due to the weight involved) in hopes of removing any unfavorable tensions on the assembly. Then, I secured the 4 bolts and let the car back down.

Finally, I adjusted the shifter coupling - and it was only a very, very minute adjustment.

No more problems.