Shifting problem need your input

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Marined

How long does it take to break in the transmission? I have 2K on it now

Mine felt pretty tight when shifting for 1500, 2000 miles or so after it was gone through. I'd change the oil about that mileage after a rebuild, and strain it.

Originally Posted by Marined

When I shift from 1st to 2nd gear, it is hard to get the second gear to seat smoothly. It kind of jams and won't go into gear. I have had the transmission rebuilt which helped some. Any other advice you may be able to share is greatly appreciated.

As others said, it could be that the coupler needs to be adjusted, or something else is wrong.

However, I also remember reading somewhere (can't find it now, but very likely this forum) that the 915 has a baulking mechanism that prevents the gear being engaged before the speeds have synchronized properly (e.g. to let the brake bands/synchos do their work).

So I think you're working against that if you rush the 1st-2nd shift, especially if changing up at low RPM - e.g. below 3,000 RPM, like in traffic.

My '86 915 has always dropped straight in 1st->2nd if I rev to 3,500 or above, the shift takes longer otherwise - and both 915's I've used in my car have behaved exactly the same way.

I believe this is Working As Designed, you can't beat the mechanism, so don't try; it'll let you know when it's done and slip straight into gear.

Contrary to widely-held belief, a 915 with good dog gears, synchros and brake bands doesn't require you to double-declutch in order to select 1st above 20 MPH - but I happen to know what those wear items cost nowadays, so I prefer to do the work for them..

Also, I have a quote to replace the turn signal switch for $280. Is that a good price?

The switch is $130, you have to take the wheel and housing covers off, replace the stalk, I seem to recall a couple of flying connectors and a bulkhead plug, then re-assemble. About an hour if you've never done it before and being careful.

If you didn't own any of the tools, you could buy them for less than the labor rate - and then you'd have them for the next minor job... I happily pay my independent shop for things I don't feel comfortable doing myself, or don't have the tools/equipment for. Turn stalk is DIY in my book.

[CorsePerVita]

Great info on the bushings.. I was doing a search and this thread came up, thanks for the link to the article. Mine is doing the same thing. Doesn't have a hard time going into gear (ie. doesn't grind) but sort of pops into place. I figured it may be a shifter/bushing issue because my 914 did the same thing till I sorted through all the bushings on the linkage.

Great thread!