84 Carrera Stuck in Gear?

[Hulsmann]

I had the clutch in my 84 911 Carrera replaced late winter and only put 90 miles on it since. In late March I was backing it out of the garage for a quick drive, it had become stuck in reverse. When I let off the clutch it wanted to go backwards and if I shifted it into what I thought was first gear it would stall. Well, I jiggled the shifter in-and-out of the different gears and it went back to normal.

I got in it for a drive this weekend, Saturday it drove perfectly, Sunday I had the stuck-in-reverse issue once again. Is it the linkage behind the seats? The shop that replaced the clutch fabricated poly-bushing for the shift coupler. Could those tight fitting bushings be causing some sort of binding issue?

Someone please help me...

[Oh Haha]

I would check the coupler between the rear seats first. If that seems ok, you should remove the clutch fork plate on the transmission.

The fork can sometimes loosen up and cause symptoms like you are experiencing.

This info should help you understand what you need to do.

Porsche Wiki

Whining when shifting into third on a 915

[john walker's workshop]

somewhere along the line, the trans probably was apart for something and they didn't get the detent (s) in the proper place to lock one shaft while the other one was operated. anyhow, to get it out of reverse, remove the backup light switch on the nose of the trans and push the operating pin inward. may go easy, may take some effort. gear oil will drool when the switch is off.

[Hulsmann]

I removed the linkage from the coupler and pushed the shaft in - it's now in third gear? Is the problem within the transmission, is it in two gears at the same time or the linkage? I've owned the car for eleven years- it had the original clutch prior to replacement. I never had any issues with the transmission until now. Is this something that will require trans removal to correct?

Thanks to you both, I appreciate your immediate reply...

[vulcan300]

If the coupling that connects the shifter assembly to the transmission has become loose that might be the source of your issue.. Open the panel under the carpet between the rear seats and check it out. If you can get the trans into neutral you can adjust the connection with the help of a friend. Loosen the bolt securing the shift assembly to the splined shaft, have your friend hold the shift lever all the way left in the neutral plane. You then rotate the coupling the connects to th trans towards the passenger side of the car. Tighten up the bolt and test it out. Hopefully that solves your problem. If not, plan B :-)

[snbush67]

... great answers above, push in the reverse pin, and/or drain the fluid and remove the shift fork.

If you remove the shift fork look around and check the pins that hold the forks to the shafts. Sometimes they come loose and can cause the binding you describe.

The transmission does not have to come out, unless of cause you find some mashed up gears, which isn't likely.

Shane

[Hulsmann]

Thanks a lot to all who responded-

I had the mechanic who installed my clutch come over and we adjusted the linkage at the coupler. I drove it tonight- probably the best cruise ever! I am planning to drain the trans fluid and check to make sure the shift forks are tight. Which fluid is better, Swepco 201 or SAE 75W-90 Lubro Moly?

[vulcan300]

It helps when your friend is a mechanic. Hopefully he brought beer with him :-)

Hopefully that takes care of the problem. Happy cruising!

J