Toothless in Sonoma (86 Carrera)

[nene]

Folks,

I am having some shifting issues with random gears at random speeds, even when the car was warm. At times, I find myself pulling the lever to get it out of 3d gear and into 4th. 4th sometimes is challenging to go in and at times slides in like butter. BTW, the tranny components have been replaced.

I ventured in opening the shift - fork plate under the tranny to see if the piece that guides the forks was lose, which was not. Upon peeking inside the housing and at the gears, I noticed what appeared to be approximately five missing teeth (I did find 3 broken ones this time in the oil container).

The pic attached is of the area missing the teeth, and unfortunately the shot came out blurry which by the time I noticed, I had placed the plate back and added the oil.

I have had the car for two years and have driven it approximately 2500 miles.

What does the consensus say.........should I keep driving it or park it and have it remedied?

Sorry folks, I am talking about the single tooth you can see at the top right by the gears.

Serge


What is the consensus?

[twistoffat]

Change the fluid first. Look if the magnet on the plug has metal shavings or teeth attached to it.
Go from there.....IŽd personally get it repaired knowing its got teeth missing but a transmission fluid change might help.

[nene]

Twist,

The oil was changes and there were no teeth attached to the magnet, but later came out when draining the dirty oil.

[Reiver]

The PO of my 911 was rather ham fisted or had difficulty finding gears as I kept finding teeth upon each oil change and engine out. More than 5 for sure.
It actually shifted nicely with a balk on 1st generally the only noticeable issue.
Eventually though it would simply not go into second gear...all others no problem.
Had it refreshed and it is very nice presently.
You will have to do it sooner or later so why not get it done now and enjoy driving more.

[Trackrash]

It sounds to me like more than one problem. Have you checked the shift coupler and shifter bushings?

As far as the missing teeth go, you are looking at a time bomb. Sooner or later more teeth will break off. Eventually the synchro band will get loose and all he!! will break loose in your trans.

[nene]

Track,

All bushings have been replaced more than a year ago.

[twistoffat]

When was the clutch last replaced?

[nene]

No idea on the clutch replacement.

[twistoffat]

Could be the clutch but if you have the transmission out its a case of "While IŽm in there". Personally IŽd get it fixed. New Clutch , Syncromesh and the teeth fixed. If you loose another tooth it could cause further damage.

[KTL]

Clutch and fluid change are the least of your worries, other than the fluid change helping rid the trans of the missing teeth.

Bad idea to keep driving it. Like Trackrash said, those teeth contain one side of the synchro band. The synchro band is compressed by the operating/slider sleeve as the gear is engaged. When the gear is disengaged, the synchro expands. Plus, the synchro is spinning very fast and therefore angular acceleration is trying to force the synchro open. A synchro that is coming loose is big trouble because when it's spit out of the dog ring, the anchor block and energizers come with it. But usually the synchro gets spit out as a result of the wide external retaining ring being pulled off the dog ring. The retaining ring comes free as a result of changing gears before the clutch/power is fully released from the gear.

Those teeth carry a lot of force and that means as each tooth goes bye-bye, adjoining teeth are having to account for the load given up by the missing tooth(s). Plus it goes without saying that chunks of hard metal floating around in the trans can do some collateral damage to other parts like actual gear teeth.

[boyt911sc]

Nene,

The picture you have attached has clearly shown the damaged gear. No amount of fluid change could make this broken and torn gear work smoothly. You are taking a lot of risk running this engine/transmission unnecessarily. This is your car and nobody could make a better judgement than you.

Tony

[Kemo]

probably best to stop driving it and get it repaired. I had a synchro ring break and it ended up messing up a whole lot of stuff that normally could have been spared in the rebuild. If you have teeth floating around in there, you are running a big risk of messing up reusable parts.

[nene]

Thank you, now any local mechanics within the North Bay that you have experience with or recommend? I have called a few.


Serge

[Baby]

Yes, have that looked at before it gets serious! It can get expensive in a hurry. I tore mine down and had Rob in San Rafael assess the damage and build it back up. Couldn't be happier with the results. If you go at it yourself, I've got a press you can use and the other tools required to strip it.

[nene]

Baby, I just don't have the room nor the time, but would love to tackle the job!

[nene]

you've got a PM Baby.

[Baby]

Originally Posted by nene

Baby, I just don't have the room nor the time, but would love to tackle the job!

In that case, I vouch for Rob King. There are other options in the area, but considering his experience, resources and proximity...

[Kemo]

nene...if you and Baby go into the transmission, please post the photos. Transmissions are still a bit of a mystery for me and Id love to see the surgery.

[Baby]

Originally Posted by Kemo

nene...if you and Baby go into the transmission, please post the photos. Transmissions are still a bit of a mystery for me and Id love to see the surgery.

not sure nene wants to leave the guts on the sidewalk by his house for a few weeks...

i posted some pics of the transmission teardown on the blog that i use to track my relationship with my car. link in my profile. not a how-to. the most thorough info is on Pete's site:
http://porsche.wikidot.com/systemage-tags/tag/915

[nene]

Thanx all for the input! After YOU'all scarying me not to drive it (good idea), I took it to a Porsche pro shop who assessed it and replaced several items of 1st, 2nd and 3rd, as well as the clutch!

As I pressed the clutch for the first time, it felt as soft as butter going in! Now for the shifting....well, it is a little tuff as they are in the break-in period, but I can now feel every shift and less "Slop"!