915 will not shift into gear at idle - shift coupler, clutch adjust, ?

sbrown.nw · sbrown.nw's Garage

Hello,

I have a 72 with an 85 euro drivetrain (915 with cooler, 85 euro 3.2). About 1.5 years ago I got a Wevo shifter and coupler. Now the car will not shift from neutral into gear when at idle. I can shift delicately when the car is moving between gears.

Shift coupler?
Clutch adjustment?
?

TIA,

Scott

korbensinclair · 10-24-2011, 09:35 AM

Does double tapping the clutch help? I had issues with shifting into first from idle. I often had to double or triple tap the clutch to spin into a better placement to get the ring over the dogs teeth. When I opened up my transmission I found I was missing one tooth, had all of them worn, my synchro's were shot, and I was missing a large section of metal off a breakband.

I am not saying that this is your problem, it just happened to be mine and is a possibility. I'm hoping your issue is a simpler fix!

Peter Zimmermann · 10-24-2011, 09:37 AM

If you're getting gear clash/grinding when attempting to shift you will have a clutch release problem. A breaking clutch cable is a possibility, and so is a breaking throw out bearing release fork. (This assumes that everything is assembled properly, nothing is loose, etc.)

911pcars · 10-24-2011, 09:47 AM

Before committing large sums of cash, remove the rear tunnel access plate and check the shift coupler for excessive play. if okay, remove the shift housing assy. and check the nylon bushings in that area: end of shift lever and front of shift tube.

If okay, proceed with the other diagnosis described.

Easy stuff first.

Sherwood

sbrown.nw · sbrown.nw's Garage

It is shifting into most / all gears at idle from neutral. There was a new clutch put in maybe 2 years ago and I think a new cable.

Scott

911pcars · 10-24-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbrown.nw

It is shifting into most / all gears at idle from neutral. There was a new clutch put in maybe 2 years ago and I think a new cable.

Scott

Your initial post:
"......the car will not shift from neutral into gear when at idle."

Fixed?

Sherwood

redridge · 10-24-2011, 10:42 AM

I would check the clutch cable travel distance is within spec.... 25mm.

sbrown.nw · sbrown.nw's Garage

Sorry, replied with additional info too quickly.

It is NOT shifting into most / all gears at idle from neutral. There was a new clutch put in maybe 2 years ago and I think a new cable.

Dick Shift · Dick Shift's Garage

Now the car will not shift from neutral into gear when at idle. I can shift delicately when the car is moving between gears.
It is shifting into most / all gears at idle from neutral.

Witch way is it??

If it does not shift into gears at idle: "clutch release problem" Start with the easy stuff first. Clutch pedal free play to much? Cable integrity-loosing a few of it's mutable wires wound together to work effectively? Next most likely release fork. Has the car been sitting for a while? Disk could be "Rusted" to flyheel and/or P-Plate.

sbrown.nw · sbrown.nw's Garage

I can move the shifter and feel the gears when the engine is off. In fact, this is the way I have to shift into reverse to back the car out (engine off, shift into reverse, start engine, back car out). Then turn engine off to shift into first or second, start car to drive around. Did make a shift from first to second when driving (not at a standstill at idle where shifts grind).

Hope this helps.

TIA

Dick Shift · Dick Shift's Garage

Hope this helps.

Yes! You have a clutch RELEASE problem. Not a shifting problem. See; "Start with the easy stuff first".................

Hotwatermusic · 10-24-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbrown.nw

I can move the shifter and feel the gears when the engine is off. In fact, this is the way I have to shift into reverse to back the car out (engine off, shift into reverse, start engine, back car out). Then turn engine off to shift into first or second, start car to drive around. Did make a shift from first to second when driving (not at a standstill at idle where shifts grind).

Hope this helps.

TIA

I had these exact same symptoms, turned out it was the large clutch release arm on the shaft wasn't moving freely. Now, that was only completely fixed after a total engine and trans removal--which I am in the process of putting back in--but one thing is for sure...that damn arm moves freely now!

sbrown.nw · sbrown.nw's Garage

It was the clutch cable. Had a bunch of slack in it. Unfortunately, after the mechanic adjusted it, the engagement point is way too high. The shop said they could try to do a fine adjustment but gave me a heads up it might be time for a new clutch cable.

Thanks everyone,

Scott

Peter Zimmermann · 10-27-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbrown.nw

It was the clutch cable. Had a bunch of slack in it. Unfortunately, after the mechanic adjusted it, the engagement point is way too high. The shop said they could try to do a fine adjustment but gave me a heads up it might be time for a new clutch cable.

Thanks everyone,

Scott

Don't get too far from home for a few days. It's very unusual for a hook-type cable to loosen up, and it's probably got broken strands where the bowden tube meets the tunnel/firewall. If the adjustment changes soon get that cable out of there, and don't let the shop sell you anything but an o.e. cable (about $100 + labor).