ReHashing the same old stubborn problem...Transmission/gear shift on the 915

[FinallyGotOne]

I've posted numerous times about this shifting problem. And so far there has been no cure, even after 2-3 trips to teh local Porsche Shop.

my 79SC does not shift well.

It will for whatever reason "pop-Out" of gear sort of. If I am in 1st gear, this has only happened in 1st gear, but if I am in 1st gear and say i'm reviong at about 4500 RPM, the second i push in teh clutch to shift out, the gear shifter will pop out of gear before I can actually manually pull it out.

Also, it will still STICK in gear. Usually 5th gear is the culprit. If I am on the freeway and going to exit as I head down the ramp when I push in the clutch the shifter will not disengage out of 5th. When it happens I let the clutch out again and try again, usually it will let me pull the shifter by the 2nd or 3rd try, but couple days ago it did not and I had to FORCE it out of 5th.

Now these are not consistent repeating issues.

Lastly, Going from 1st to 2nd sometimes I have to put it into neutral and 1st again to get it into 2nd.

I do not think at this point adjusting or replacing my clutch cable will help at all. As this has been looked at and determined to be in fine shape.

Does it sound like a broken or bent clutch fork, or something like that?? Does it sound like maybe I need a change of fluid in the transmission? What are some expert opinions here?

I have to say, when I 1st bought the car 3 years ago, I had to have the transmission gone through. the 1st gear was "turned backwards" I think the shop said, so they replaced that gear, but the rest of the gears looked good. They did not replace the cable either. Biut replcaed the broken roll pin. In all it was $3500 - 4000 or so for the repair. Even after that it had issues with going into 2nd, and sticking in gear occasionally. I'd say it has gotten worse, but it is not happeneing all the time yet.

I need some direction here on what the heck to do?

[mlfox]

Not an expert opinion, but perhaps your problem is due to a loose or worn transmission mount(s)?

[jimbauman]

Seems to me the typical 915 is a great anti-theft device. Only the owner knows all its nuances well enough to actually drive the car!

Anyhow, during any of the trips to the Porsche shop, did they replace any bushings and things in the shifter itself, and adjust the shifter/coupler alignment? As for your rebuild, I had mine done too by a so-called reputable shop, and it's never been right. I just adapt.

JB

[1990C4S]

Did the tranny shop know what they were doing?

[jimbauman]

In my case, they came recommended by someone who supposedly knows their stuff. It's a well-known Porsche only shop in the Bay Area. I only used them for the transmission... They said it was going to be "really tight" for a while, but would loosen up, and shift easier. It never did.

JB

[1990C4S]

Something is wrong. Fix it yourself. Lots of threads here to help.

Sounds like the dog teeth and synro's aren't right.

Was it MotorMeister?

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by FinallyGotOne

I've posted numerous times about this shifting problem. And so far there has been no cure, even after 2-3 trips to teh local Porsche Shop.

my 79SC does not shift well.

It will for whatever reason "pop-Out" of gear sort of. If I am in 1st gear, this has only happened in 1st gear, but if I am in 1st gear and say i'm reviong at about 4500 RPM, the second i push in teh clutch to shift out, the gear shifter will pop out of gear before I can actually manually pull it out.

This problem can be caused by worn internals, but it can also be a linkage issue. If your shift lever (the bottom few inches below the bend) is not vertical in neutral, and leans toward 2nd instead, it's very possible that your linkage can't fully engage 1st. If the transmission is "in" 1st, but not completely, it can pop out of gear. If it pops out with no hand pressure on the lever, just the act of releasing the throttle and depressing the clutch, it's highly likely that the shifter is not set correctly.

Also, it will still STICK in gear. Usually 5th gear is the culprit. If I am on the freeway and going to exit as I head down the ramp when I push in the clutch the shifter will not disengage out of 5th. When it happens I let the clutch out again and try again, usually it will let me pull the shifter by the 2nd or 3rd try, but couple days ago it did not and I had to FORCE it out of 5th.

Technique required here! NEVER leave a 915 in 5th gear at any speed lower than about 55 mph. Always downshift to fourth, this works best at about 60, before you're on that off-ramp!

Now these are not consistent repeating issues.

Lastly, Going from 1st to 2nd sometimes I have to put it into neutral and 1st again to get it into 2nd.

I do not think at this point adjusting or replacing my clutch cable will help at all. As this has been looked at and determined to be in fine shape.

Does it sound like a broken or bent clutch fork, or something like that?? Does it sound like maybe I need a change of fluid in the transmission? What are some expert opinions here?

I have to say, when I 1st bought the car 3 years ago, I had to have the transmission gone through. the 1st gear was "turned backwards" I think the shop said, so they replaced that gear, but the rest of the gears looked good. They did not replace the cable either. Biut replcaed the broken roll pin. In all it was $3500 - 4000 or so for the repair. Even after that it had issues with going into 2nd, and sticking in gear occasionally. I'd say it has gotten worse, but it is not happeneing all the time yet.

If 1st was truly backward the trans wouldn't have worked. It is possible that the 1st/2nd sliding sleeve (aka slider) was backward, making shifting in both first and second difficult.

Sticking in 2nd gear is almost unheard of, unless something inside the trans was screwed up at the last repair.

Give Kendall 80w/90 NS-MP Dino gear oil a try, there is a very good chance that it might improve overall driveability for you.

I need some direction here on what the heck to do?

Is there another shop near you that might drive the car and render an opinion?

Your situation is very difficult, because a very real possibility exists that you have linkage issues + internal wear issues + mechanic caused screw-ups inside the trans, all of which must be addressed. Start with the vertical adjustment of the shifter, and go from there.

[sailchef]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Start with the vertical adjustment of the shifter, and go from there.

My car had the same problem and the shifter was was way to far to the right when I set it up. Transmission mounts could also be another culprit like mlfox was saying.

I would check both of those before I did anything else.