hard shifting after 2 hour drive

dimeified · 07:27 AM

Hello,
After a 2 hour drive in 5th gear the other day, the shift lever has gotten more difficult to move around. It was pretty hard to pull out of 5th after that run, and very stiff in general right away after. Still 2 days later now, its loosened up a little bit, but still just doesnt seem right, its not as easy to get into gear as it used to be. When i brake or take off now and then also, i can sort of hear the lever move a little, almost click, as if the transmission is loose and moving around and taking the shift linkage with it (i know thats not whats happening, but its the best way to describe it).

First question, is the problem in the tras (hope not) or is it most likely worn linkage components that heated up and gave out?

If it is the latter, I am planning on refreshing the components, new bushings and such in the tunnel. I would like to install the wevo shift coupler as well as any associated wear items. What would you guys recommend?

Tim_in_MD · 06-11-2009, 07:31 AM

I had something very similar happen a few weeks ago on my '86 coupe. I had driven it most of the week and by Friday it was noticeably harder to shift and was grinding into first and reverse.

What I found was a completely unadjusted clutch cable. I don't know if the heat from more constant use caused the cable to expand just enough to give me trouble shifting or what...but I replaced the cable along with my shifter bushings and it is much improved.

Check your motor/trans mounts too...and also make sure the shift coupler hasn't come out of adjustment. Hope this helps!

longhornchris04 · longhornchris04's Garage

Whats your trans fluid level? Any chance it leaked or cooked off.

dad911 · 06-11-2009, 07:38 AM

First thing I would do is change the trans fluid with a quality fluid.

dimeified · 08:57 AM

In January i somehow blew out a main seal and transmission seal. When the fluid was virtually all over the road, the trans sounded like failing chain tensioners since there was no fluid drag on any of the components, yet it was still easy to shift, so i dont think lack of fluid, or old fluid is the problem right now. The seals were replaced right away and trans fluid refilled at powertech in rockaway nj, and the shifting was great ever since. My money is on the coupler in the inspection tunnel, since that had to be disconnected to pull the motor and trans to replace the seals, i'm just hoping the problem isnt in the trans itself, anything else i could repair on my own at little cost im sure. Im going to drain the trans and refill this week just to be sure. What is a recommended fluid? Swepco, but what weight?

Also i did adjust the clutch 2 weeks ago, because it would engage the second i lifted the pedal from the floor. It now engages half way up to full travel, however, my pedal cluster is shot, my driver side flooded more than once and the bushings im sure are swollen, the pedal will not come back that last "sprung" inch. I do have a new cluster and rebuild kit that i will be installing, along with a new clutch cable.

dad911 · 06-11-2009, 09:12 AM

If the pedal is not returning all the way, that may be the adjustment or spring.

dimeified · 06-11-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

If the pedal is not returning all the way, that may be the adjustment or spring.

Interestingly enough, on the way to work last week i kept pulling the pedal all the way back with my foot. Then i noticed taking off from the next stop light it was easy as pie to push the pedal to the floor, and it returned all the way back. However things went back to how they were where it wouldnt return all the way again. Thats why i suspect the bushings in the cluster are shot. Im sure the cluster is on it's way out from the moisture buildup from all the floods on the driver side from the leak that was there previously the bushings are probably swelled and brittle. So right away im going to change the trans fluid, shift bushings, coupler, cluster, and shift cable, since all except the fluid is original from 4 years since i've had the car. I figure i should do the spring too, this is the horseshoe spring you're referring to? I'm just happy to hear no one is suggesting to expect internal trans damage.

rnln · 06-11-2009, 09:35 AM

I had same problem with a non-p car. After it get hot, won't be able to shift into gear no matter what I do with the clutch pedal. I had to wait a while for it to get cool and drive normal again. A friend of mine searched more into it and found that was the clutch's problem but he had no cure at that time and for other reasons, I stop there.