1st and reverse...grinding again from stand still

[bigchillcar]

Hmmm...

About 7 months ago my clutch cable broke and I had it replaced...think I lost my 'return spring' on the pedal assembly, but that's no big deal I've often heard.

Anyway, the other morning my car surprised me with grinding when I went into reverse to back out of parking after I started-up. Ground again when I went to put it into 1st. Had to do the routine of starting with 3rd or 4th and then working it into 1st. Once rolling, everything seems fine for successive shifts and it even will act ok most of the time from then on from a dead stop. But sooner or later, it comes back and intermittently gives me the 'grinds'. What's up? Is it possible I've got clutch cable woes again? Would it be stripping, slipping or stretching? Guess I'll need to get down on the floorboard tomorrow am and also take a look underneath at the tranny. Can anyone help troubleshoot this?

Ryan

[CamB]

You should try checking the clutch adjustment because it may be dragging a little - there is a pretty good description in Wayne's book I think.

[Bobboloo]

Sounds like you just need to re-adjust the cable. You can do it underneath the car where the cable connects to the release arm.

Bobby

[Early_S_Man]

Ryan,

While it could be an adjustment problem with too much freeplay ... it could also be a cracked arm at the pedal assembly, or a cracked throwout bearing engagement fork inside the bellhousing! Any of those conditions can cause incomplete clutch disengagement ... i.e., dragging clutch disk and grinding in 1st or reverse!!

[bigchillcar]

Hey guys,

Hoping it turns out to just need adjusting...do these cables really do sometimes loosen like that? It's like it happened overnight. And if the cable were out of adjustment, wouldn't I have the symptom starting off everytime in 1st and reverse?

Ryan

[bigchillcar]

bump

[keitho64]

This may sound like a fluke, but have you checked the shift linkage? I had the same problem and the shift coupler bushings were bad. When I removed the acess cover it was easy to see.

[bigchillcar]

Keith,

Thanks. I'll give that a look tonight. Did your problem come on suddenly and happen intermittently after that until you discovered and corrected the problem?


Ryan

[keitho64]

At first it just seemed to shift hard but it happened very fast. In addition to grinding into 1st and reverse, 4th and 5th were very hard to shift into. Once you replace the bushings make sure to adjust the linkage. This is a very simple adjustment as well.

[bigchillcar]

Keith,

I haven't tried a search for the shift linkage. Is the access cover the plate in the back seat floorboard or is it under the shift boot?

Ryan

[john walker's workshop]

how far off the floor does the pedal come up to begin moving the car? 1" is pretty close and will cause grinding. 2" is about the lowest you can go and still shift ok.

[bigchillcar]

John,
It's a privilege...I'm sure you've got things you could be doing other than answering my post. I'll need to check the clutch engagement tomorrow, but I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary from it's travel. We'll see.
Thanks,
Ryan

[keitho64]

Ryan

The access cover in the floor of the back seat is what you remove. It has 4 phillips screws and then you have easy access to the shift coupler. Pelican has them, part number C-424-223-90 and they are $16. If you remove the set screw on the back side of the coupler it will come off the transmission. The other end is a spline connection to the shift linkage that goes to the shifter. There is a clamp on that end that has a 13mm bolt/nut on it. After I took that off I was able to move the shifter and the whole coupler came off. I was able to press the new bushings on by hand and reinstalled the whole assembly. Snug the connections and then make sure you adjust the linkage to get all 5 gears, then tighten everything down. It made a HUGE difference is the linkage on my car. It does not grind anymore.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_Parts/1974-75/7-2.JPG

In the link above item 42 is the shift coupler. If there is any slop in the linkage this will be the best $16 you will spend and it takes about 1 hour to change.

Keith

[bigchillcar]

Keith,

You're the man. Wow, I can't wait to fiddle with it over the holiday. I'm going to take my car to Memphis with my girlfriend to meet her 'extended family' over Thanksgiving. I hear she has an uncle who'll be there that restores MG's and other foreign cars...at least there will be one I can share a common interest with! Thanks for the detailed instructions. I'll be getting a closer look.

Happy turkey day!

Ryan

[keitho64]

Ryan

Glad I could help. Enjoy the holiday and let me know how it turns out.

Keith

[Wayne 962]

Fix it right away, because it is causing great harm to your transmission in this configuration...

-Wayne