Is something going to happen soon?

[bigchillcar]

The question is about a snapping sound I sometimes hear when starting off in the morning with the engine still cold and shift from 1st into 2nd gear. I have replaced all my shifter bushings in the last 3 months, so I don't know that it's in the linkage. The shifter feels well adjusted. Any ideas on what causes this? Is it just cold tranny fluid? It hasn't really been a problem for me, just an observation of something I don't like that i don't think should be happening.
Ryan

[bigchillcar]

It feels like the shifter lever pops into 2nd in my hand just before I actually start to go for the shift if this helps any more. Anybody care to take a wild guess? I can't have the only car doing this!
Ryan

[Jdub]

Total guess: have you confirmed that the shifter fork is solidly mounted to the four studs on the plate found on the underside of the 915?

Next oil change, drop that plate and remove the nuts that hold the shift fork to the plate. Clean everything and loctite the studs back into the plate (double-nut to put threaded studs back in), then put the fork back on the studs without overtightening!

John

[bigchillcar]

Jdub,
Thanks, no I haven't ever looked inside that area. Just did an oil change a month ago... Anyway, do you think you'd be able to hear it back there that well with the engine running? It sounds more like it's coming from the area of the shifter lever itself. Once warm I don't recall it happening anymore.
Ryan

[johnco]

my 74 does the exact same thing occaisionally. When it does pop, you can feel it in your hand and hear the pop coming from the shifter area. I find that if I push the clutch in completly before shifting, it doesn't do this. I haven't taken the time to investigate further, I just watch how I'm shifting and don't put any pressure on the shifter until the clutch is fully depressed.

[Rob McKibbon]

"ditto" johnco
Mine pops out the same way and makes a bang/clunck noise too. 1974 2.7L. I found the same thing, be careful not to put pressure on the shifter, push the clutch in first and then grab the shifter to change gears. 1st to 2nd. If I just put a little pressure on the shifter before pushing in the clutch, it pops out of first into neutral making a bang noise.
I had my tranny checked out, the mech. said A-OK, in fact good.??

[bigchillcar]

hey guys,

yep...that's what's happening. and you're right...if i push in the clutch first (what you're supposed to do, right?!) it won't happen, it just seems to happen when i'm jumping the gun a little and maybe pulling the shifter before the clutch is all the way in. we may have our basic answer here.

ryan

[Tyson Schmidt]

What's happening is that you are pulling the slider off the dog teeth while there is still pressure on them. The clutch isn't fully disengaged yet.

This is exactly why many people find little dog teeth attached to the magnetic drain plug!!!!!!!!! In other words, don't let this happen again!

[bigchillcar]

tyson,
why does the problem seem only to occur when cold and on the shift from 1st to 2nd? does my description of what i'm doing sound like the true cause of what you've described happening?
ryan

[speeder]

Normally it occurs warm or cold, but all 915 trans will do this "popping" thing between 1st and 2nd if pulled out of 1st before clutch disengaged. It is very common when zooming in 1st and then grabbing for 2nd too quickly. Tyson is correct and also has a good piece of advice for 915 owners, "quick foot, slow hand".

[Porschephanatic]

I agree. I found out the hard way. $1800 wiser now, though.

[Adman]

Originally posted by speeder
"quick foot, slow hand".

Well said! I am use to a short throw shifter in a C5 and I was amazed at the difference in shifting. Then again, you cant compare cars with a 15 yr age difference.
Matthew