Downshift Problem
 

Finally ventured out on the freeways yesterday. What a blast!

Car (74 2.0) shifts up through all gears great, but I'm having a problem coming back down - especially downshifting from 4th to 3rd. Can't seem to get to 2nd or 3rd very easily after being in 4th/5th- I keep catching 4th & 5th again. After about ten tries, it eventually goes into second. Also, it doesn't do this every time, just most of the time. Sometimes there's no problem.

Is it me? I checked the archives but didn't see this problem specifically. Is there a technique I should use or might it be an adjustment? Thanks!

SD

I say to check the slop in the shifter bushings, make sure both set screws are tight, check for torn/broken motor mounts and worn shifter parts. Doesn't have to be in that order, but any combination of those can cause erratic shifting. Good luck

Agreed. Much of that stuff can be found in the Tech Articles section, under "Shifting Improvements".

--DD

Thanks, Dave (and John) - I will look at the bushings (hopefully) this weekend. Great article, BTW.

I have found that when in 4th, if I want to downshift to 3rd, all I need to do is push the gearshift all the way to the left against the 1st/R spring, then come back out to the middle, 3rd/2nd engages with no problem.