1st Gear Problems AFTER Fix

Howard H · 04-23-2000, 03:54 AM

At the end of last year, I replaced the dog teeth, synchro ring, etc. on my transmission, using the technical article here on PP's site as a guide. Evidently, I didn't do something exactly right because when I took the 914 out for its maiden voyage of the new millenium, getting her into 1st gear was hit and miss.

More times than not, when the shift knob was pulled all the way to the seat, the trans still wouldn't drop into first. Other times it would JUST make it into gear.

Does anyone know what I may have done to create this problem, and what I can do to correct it? I need to resolve this before I smoke my new clutch.

Seems that I'm always coming here for help, but you guys have really been great in sharing your knowledge. Could really use you help this time.

Thanks,
Howard Henneman

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turbo2.0 · 11:28 AM

Sounds to me like a shift linkage problem. Did you replace all of the shift bushings? If you didn't, I suggest you do. Also, any time you remove the linkage/transmission, I would also suggest re-adjusting the shift linkage. I used a combination of the technique from the PP tech article and the techniques from the Haynes manual. If all of this doesn't work, then the problem may be in the transmission, but check everything else first.

Germain · 04-23-2000, 11:14 AM

On the odd ball chance, if the shift linkage doesn't help, take a look at the clutch adjustment, it may be out of wack.

Dave Bell · 04-23-2000, 05:41 PM

I second the motion to check the clutch. Reading so many other posts... and having goofed up the clutch adjustment inadvertently myself... I can tell you that one of the key symptoms of a miss-adjusted clutch is trouble getting into 1st gear.... and it is easy to make the clutch adjustments first and rule it out before replacing shift linkage components and adjusting the shift linkage..

... my 2 cents...

- Dave

Howard H · 04-23-2000, 07:15 PM

The clutch cable was just replaced, and professionally adjusted. The clutch worked well for all other gears, including reverse.

Someone had suggested to me that I may not have put the shift fork in the correct position along the shaft. Does anyone know if this is a likely culprit?

Thanks for the ideas, guys.

Howard

Germain · 04-24-2000, 05:18 AM

To further the note on the clutch cable, when mine was out of adjustment, I could get into reverse, 2-5 but hard time going to 1st. Funny story actually, I backed down a hill in reverse, but had no first gear, so I was adjusting the clutch on our road...
Just one of my fixing to car moments.

Howard H · 04-25-2000, 03:07 AM

OK, I checked my clutch free play per the manual, and it's a little under 3/4". I really don't think it's the clutch adjustment.

Has anyone done the dog teeth and synchro replacement and run into similar (or other) shifting problems? If so, what turned out to be the cause?

Thanks again to all you teeners for your help.

Howard

Bee Jay · 04-27-2000, 07:37 PM

I did the first gear fix also, with Wayne and Tom's help. It's a bear getting it into first now. The clutch and tranny are adjusted. Wayne says that this is normal untill I get a few hundred miles on the tranny. I only put 50 miles on the motor and tranny before I took it to the painter. It will be there another month or so.So, it will be a while before I can put miles on.

John Rogers · 04-27-2000, 08:34 PM

When I had the transmission overhauled last winter, ALL the gears were very tight and actually you could not feel when they went into gear like you can when the synchros are worn, etc. There is about 6 to 8 hours of run time including racing and a little driving around and it is a little easier to shift. I guess this is what a brand new 914 must have felt like 27 years ago????

[This message has been edited by john rogers (edited 04-27-2000).]

John Rogers · 04-27-2000, 08:35 PM

When I had the transmission overhauled last winter, ALL the gears were very tight and actually you could not feel when they went into gear like you can when the synchros are worn, etc. There is about 6 to 8 hours of run time including racing and a little driving around and it is a little easier to shift. I guess this is what a brand new 914 must have felt like 27 years ago????

7391417 · 04-27-2000, 10:30 PM

I just had ny transmission rebuilt last week.
My mechanic replaced the first & second gear synchros, the first gear dog teeth & other requisite stuff. The car drives 100 % better. You can tell when it is going into the gears, it feels different than when the synchros were worn, but not any less defined, maybe more defined. It is a little tougher to push it into gear, but not hard. It feels like it should when it was brand new, keeping in mind an almost 30 year old design!
Bottom line here is, if it is hard to get into gear something is not right.

-Brent

Howard H · 05-16-2000, 07:34 PM

Well, now that I've had a chance to drive the 914 a few times since my initial posting, it seems that some of my problems are due to sloppy shifiting techniques. Even so, when I'm on any kind of incline, it simply will not go into first.

Is this mechanical in nature, or am I just doing something wrong? (I don't have any other car to compare this situation to, since the 914 is the only manual trans I have driven.)

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oredith · 05-16-2000, 07:53 PM

what's your definition of "will not go into first"?.. is it where it won't go into first AT ALL? or will not go into 1st from a stop like at a red light? if it's the later case, i think that's pretty typical of the 901 tranny. i've gotten into the habit of shifting into 1st as i'm rolling to a stoplight, that, or double and triple clutch when i'm anticipating a green light (sometimes that won't even work without an embarrasing CRUNCH). things i've found to really help though are properly adjusted clutch cable, as mine seems to loosen itself after every 3 months or so. having nice, tight bushings is a definite plus. properly adjusted linkage. all the above mentioned stuff. Depending on what you use the car for, and how much comfort you're seeking though, a set of solid tranny mounts can REALLY help out the shifting. along with the better shifting also comes with more engine noise, and a bit more engine rattle transferred to you.

there's always compromises..

good luck,

Jeff

7391417 · 05-16-2000, 09:45 PM

Yes, I have to agree with oredith. If you come to a stop without putting it into first gear, it usually will not go in. When it happens to me I find that if I put it in second gear and slip the clutch and move the car just a little I can then get it into first. Bottom line, shift into first before you come to a stop, then if it is a long light and you take it out of gear it will go right back in since you had put it there already. It is just an alignment problem in all the 901 trans. Also if you have not already replace All of the shift bushings, that can make a huge difference, spend the extra money and get the brass bushing for the rear of the shift rod.

Hope this helps!

-Brent

Howard H · 05-19-2000, 03:58 AM

Thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

I'm going to replace my shift bushings, re-adjust the clutch cable AND adjust my driving habits by making sure to shift back into first before coming to a stop.

Again, thanks to all of you, and to Tom & Wayne for providing this great forum.

Howard