Grinding reverse and first when hot -- why?
 

So I finished replacing the clutch cable, replacing my clutch return spring at the pedal box, replacing the shifter bushings (except the coupler) and adjusting the coupler. I did this because shifting was not smooth and eventually it started grinding going into reverse and first.

I felt much joy during the first test drive as things seemed much improved. However, it was short lived as:

--the clutch now takes up very low towards the floor
--sometimes it's smooth going into gears and sometimes it's not
--once hot, it again grinds going into first and reverse. I have to shut the car off, shift into gear and restart in order to engage first or reverse

I will check my clutch cable adjustment again just to be sure. I am really OK if I have to replace the clutch--this car has 140,000 miles on the original clutch set, so it doesn't owe me anything--but I want to understand why it will shift nicely when cold but not at all when hot.

Can all this drama stem from the coupler itself? I wouldn't think so...

Thanks in advance...

If youre grinding and you just did the cable, you need more adjustment. adjust the cable shield on the trans (the 2 15mm nuts) and adjust the housing so the housing moves away from the clutch levers on the trans. This will raise the clutch and better engage the clutch.
A sloppy shift coupling will give you trans locking in 2 gears, reverse and another

Bruce

You should be able to adjust this out. If the take-up is close to the floor, that indicates that you need to press the clutch all the way to the floor to have it disengage. You may have it pressed in, but there is a slight drag that doesn't allow first and reverse to completely stop their movement, so it grinds when you put it in gear.

I would first verify the measurement at the pedal. How far does the cable reach into the clevis? There are exact measurements, I would be exact. Make certain the cable is properly seated on the firewall. Finally, follow the measurements at the transaxle exactly too.

I had a similar circumstances, low take up and gear grinding, and was able to adjust it out.