What should a rebuilt 915 feel like

[jwash]

I just had the 915 in my 84 3.2 rebuilt by a very reputable and well known shop in northern california. My question to the group is what should it feel like? The car shifts authoritatively from 1-2. 2-3 feels slightly less authoritative and sometimes feels like it is slightly resistant and 3-4 sometimes feels like it just doesn't want to go in to gear. 4-5 works well. Is this normal? Are my synchros "getting worn in"? What should the feeling be?

[cashflyer]

It should feel like moving a stick that's jammed down in a bucket of rocks.

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by jwash

I just had the 915 in my 84 3.2 rebuilt by a very reputable and well known shop in northern california. My question to the group is what should it feel like? The car shifts authoritatively from 1-2. 2-3 feels slightly less authoritative and sometimes feels like it is slightly resistant and 3-4 sometimes feels like it just doesn't want to go in to gear. 4-5 works well. Is this normal? Are my synchros "getting worn in"? What should the feeling be?

A lot depends on what type of trans oil was used (if they used synthetic you're doing more harm than good), my shop always used Kendall Three Star 80W/90 Dino, and my transmissions were 98% "broken in" before the car was returned to the customer. Is there a way for you to post the parts list? I'd like to see it, because there are many more ways to do a 915 wrong than right...

Also, as a part of every 915 repair that we did, we evaluated the shifter bushings and coupler adjustment and made any changes that were necessary.

[Flat6pac]

And a properly adjusted clutch works wonders in a 915.
Bruce

[Christien]

I rebuilt mine, and even though I'm no pro, I could see how it all went together, and why it's not the smoothest or most precise shifting transmission in the world. Even at its best, there will be play in the gear shifter, much sloppier than what we're used to in modern cars. The gear engagement just isn't as precise because of this. Mine shifts slowly from 1st to 2nd, quite quickly and smoothly from 2nd to 3rd, and needs to be very precise from 3rd into 4th, though a better coupler adjustment would help that a lot. (no 5th on mine)

[Joe V]

+1 with Christien!

Just rebuilt mine about 1k miles ago and fourth can be a little temperamental on up and downshifts (I've got a 5 speed).
It seems that the design is better suited to tractors and assembly line equipment than a fine German automobile. I've read that some of the sloppiness can be addressed with a PSJ coupler.

This sloppiness or slack seems to be necessary in order to keep the engine/transmission assembly from vibrating your hand off.

[PatrickB]

Mine felt like a G50 right after being rebuilt!

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It should feel like moving a stick that's jammed down in a bucket of rocks.

How funny is that!!!!!

[Scott R]

Mine is as smooth as any other transmission after rebuild, granted I had a shop do it, but I don't have any issues with 3rd to 4th and etc.

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It should feel like moving a stick that's jammed down in a bucket of rocks.

That's how my 2 to 3 felt.

Was told this would happen and just make sure you're shifting at over 3.5k and moving correctly with the lag and don't be afraid to push it in.

and use Swepco even for first 500 mile [which some guys go through pains about aka $50 for a 2 tank run]

[dentist90]

The installed diameter of the synchro rings on the synchro hubs is critical. It's been my experience that even new rings on new hubs with new sliders can vary in feel and resistance to shifting. There is a tolerance allowable, and if that particular gear is at the outside maximum it will feel a bit balkier than a set that is at the smaller end. As things wear it may become smoother shifting. In your description, if it is balky going 3-4 and also 5-4 I suspect your 4th synchro may be on the larger side of the tolerance. This could also happen if the shop just flipped the old synchro ring over (Hopefully they didn't). As long as it doesn't 'crunch' when you shift or resist to the point where you can't shift at all it isn't doing any harm.

[c911s]

Try adjusting the shift coupler linkage. I put in another transmission and I had the same problem, hard to shift into 3rd and 4 th. Adjust coupler very slightly to right (passenger side) and then try shifting. Mine now works great.

[mondo74]

Originally Posted by cashflyer

It should feel like moving a stick that's jammed down in a bucket of rocks.

bwahhhh hahahaha!!!!
response of the year!