Grind Issue going up But not down?

[Va914]

Another question on tranny grind.

I have the usual slight grind going from 1-2 and on a very rare occation 2-1, but very rare. I can keep the 1-2 grind under control by shifting slowly.

My question is if I don't have a grind in any other gears and the 3-2 shift is smooth can the 1-2 grind be an adjustment or other problem besides a syncro?

Cheers
Kerry

[SGB]

Hey Kerry-
It could be clutch cable too loose. Mine has a sweet spot where there is no grind at all- but it's not too far past that wher the clutch starts to slip in 5th (maybe 3 full turns tightning the clutch cable). I usually back up a little so there is a little "clunk" sometimes. If it has just started, it could be a sign of deteriorating clutch cable.

[srb7f]

Your problem sounds classic for synchro wear to me. Don't forget, the only time a synchro is heavily used is when the slider and dogteeth (which engage the desired gear) are being FORCED to mesh when they are turning at different speeds. The most wear happens when you shift rapidly at high RPM, which is why the 2nd gear slider will go before 3rd, before 4th, etc. In other words, you have a synchro job in the near future, and I'd suggest replacing 1-3 if they haven't already been done so (How often do you shift at redline into 4th or 5th gear?). Snychros are cheap ~25 a piece, but if you continue to shift rapidly so that you hear the crunch, you will take the sliders and dogteeth with it which gets very expensive very fast. I don't mean to scare you, but I know this from the neglect of a PO on my car's transmission. In the meantime, you will not be destroying anything if you just count the old "one one thousand" in between your 1-2 shift making sure you don't hear the crunch until you have a weekend to do the job.

[lmcchesney]

Yelp, sounds like a synchro at 1st. Easy to replace. Can be replaced while tranny in. Cost for 1st synchro $40 and lower for 2-5. I've had a problem knowing just when the dog teeth need replaced. It seems to be more subjective decision by appearence than by measurment.
L. McChesney

[Va914]

Thanks guys.. I was hoping since the 3-2 shift was fine the 2nd gear syncro is okay, but I guess I was wrong in my thinking. From what you guys have said the 1st gear syncro meshes 1st into 2nd the 2nd gear syncro meshes 2nd into 3rd.

I guess I will try the free route and readjust the clutch cable and see if that helps some...

I have read RedBeards Tech Article and it seems very much doable..Don't have the special tools but that is it.

My fear was getting into the tranny and finding nothing wrong.

I hope to find a tranny at Hershey this year and do an quicky overhaul of everything that needs replaced. If the dogteeth need replacing I'll abandon the Idea and wait until winter and work on the one I am sing now.

Thanks again

[srb7f]

Though it is a little more involved, I'd really suggest replacing the first 3 synchros, since it sounds like your first two synchros are worn. Every gear has one (except reverse), and you are using it whenever you shift INTO the gear. The only additional tool you'll need is an alignment tool that I believe Pelican sells. Goodluck

[red-beard]

2nd gear synchro needs to be changed and you will need to adjust the clutch. But, if you're going to change 2nd, you're going to do the clutch anyway.

If you _know_ the seals in the tranny are ok, you can follow my article on replacing the synchro's without having to remove the tranny case from the car.

James

Rebuild

[Va914]

The seals are leaking some from the axle seals. It makes more of a mess then anything.

I have the complete seal kit from PP ready to go. The only thing stopping me is the down time. I think is will take me a full week to do the repairs after work. Lets hop I pick a rainy week

I am going to remove the tranny and replace what I can.

I will replace the 1st and 2nd synco's and the seals. I will need to evaluate the clutch while I am there ;(

Is this special too really needed? I hate to buy a tool for somthing I hope to never do again.

Cheers and Thanks again
Kerry

[srb7f]

If you have an extra transmission case sitting around and a bandsaw, you can make one by cutting out the plate that holds up the other end of the gear stacks (from the center of the transmission case.) It basically allows you to align the shift forks on the shafts as everything will sit in the case but without the case so that you can tighten the bolts.
You could probably get along OK without it by scribing the shaft so that you tighten it back down in the same position, but there will still be a degree of guesswork involved--and you'd really only be able to tell once you drive the car. For only $33, I think it's good insurance to buy the tool and not have to worry about the possibility of having to do the work over. Goodluck.

[red-beard]

The Synch bands are $60 each. I will bet you will need at least 1 set of dog teeth and 1 slider. The cheapest way to obtain these is to get a used tail shift transmission. They can be had for around $100 and you will get 2 good synch bands, 2 good dog teeth and 1 slider out of them.

Plus, I will bet you will find a bad bearing in your transmission. You improve the odds of putting together one good complete transmission.

Buy the tools. They are worth it. Or make one from the sparecase and buy the other.

James

[srb7f]

Good call on picking up a complete tranny. Wow, I'm behind the times. When did they hike the price on synchros? I bought my synchros several years ago for about $25, maybe $30 each. Steve

[red-beard]

If you will use a spare tranny, you absolutely need the tool to remove the dogteeth, so they stay in good shape.