Could a mere mortal replace first and second syncro's?
 

My engine is out for a new clutch. It has 70k on it and its an 85. It looks like it had an hour left before the rivets would have started to scrape. Good timing! The tranny has recently started to show some reluctance to shift 1-2 and 3-2. All other possibilities have been eliminated. No grinding yet , just occasional stiff resistance. Since its out ,I'm considering doing the 1&2 syncros and slider. Ive read all articles and manuals. Some give me confidence and some scare me. Any other last words on the subject before I proceed. What tools are definitely necessary and what small items should also be replaced. I presume I will have to take some work out as I don't have a press? Thanks for any suggestions. Doug

Guidance is available...

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I did mine 3 years ago using this board as guidance. It really wasn't very difficult. There are a lot of good threads here to follow.

Thanks Peter, your tutorial looks extremely thorough. If I'm lucky and correct that its just those syncro's , its difficult to see what I'm entirely up against if I back out after the 1-2 fix but I guess it will make sense when I'm in there. Steve's comment was reassuring.

The tutorial makes it look easy.....it ain't. I needed a pair of God's won snap ring pliers ....the guy in the pics must be able to crush bowling balls in his bare hands.....it don' show the tough parts of getting them on. All them fiddly bits must stay in place while you're fighting the snap ring into its slot. They don't show how the snap ring distorts when ya open it wide enuff to get it on. If the tips slip out of their holes, the snap ring would probably stick into a wall.....if your body isn't in the way.

Syncros are usually not your only problem in any trans. Boogered up dog teeth & sliders come with the territory. Removing dog teeth is a beoch compared to putting them back on......funny how they never show anyone cutting them off.....

I'm semi-sure a pro doesn't have the problems a first timer does. Send it to one.

My snap ring pliers......the big black ruby there in the middle of the pic ......http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1263662740.jpg

I did it using the "Can't shift into first" thread, among others. Didn't buy any special tools but the big socket, as far as I remember. Good luck. Cheers, mere mortal Mike

[QUOTE=J P Stein;5129145] All them fiddly bits must stay in place while you're fighting the snap ring into its slot. They don't show how the snap ring distorts when ya open it wide enuff to get it on. If the tips slip out of their holes, the snap ring would probably stick into a wall.....if your body isn't in the way.

QUOTE]

there is actually an easy procedure to remove and install the snap ring that holds the syncro assemblies. decent snap ring pliers that don't pop off is the first step.

Those snap ring pliers look like they belong in Wayne's "Will this motor fit in a 911" thread.

Is there a brand name or mfg that has a good snap ring plier that I can order as this sounds like its an important part of the process?

You'll need a few more tools besides the snap ring pliers.

I bought this pair to refresh an 83 gearbox before installing it in my car.
They worked well but you have to be careful when doing this.

They are German made "Knipex" 40-100mm.

Make sure you wear safety glasses!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1263708211.jpg

Thanks for that info Peter I will try to see if I can look up that supplier. I saw some some mechanical ones when i was searching the net last night. They were expensive but possibly worth it. It would eliminate the hand force required.

Peter, those pliers are beautiful! The tips look just about perfect; I specifically mentioned in my Tutorial that I bought pliers with over-sized tips, then slowly ground them until they were what I wanted.

The above post about difficulty actually made me think about something. In my transmission "rookie" days I bent a couple of retainers while removing them. After they're bent they must be replaced (I was taught this by Victor at the Porsche factory training class that I took back in the '70s). That's when I played with different pliers, and finally came up with the ones in the Tutorial. I will cry if they ever break!

Chads Tool box has these for $25 and the 12.75 inch version for $45 . I think I will pick up a pair. Thanks for the help gents!