Downshift Problem

[stevedee]

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

[John Rogers]

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

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

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

--DD

[stevedee]

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.