Sometimes first is hard to get...
 

I notice this quite often while I'm driving around town. At a stop light, ready to take off, first gear is hard to go in. I know I'm close, but if I let off the clutch it don't like it. Grrrinnnd. It feels like it doesn't want to click into place.

Other times it's no problem, slides in like butter.

Is this a linkage adjustment problem? Synchro? Dog teeth or something?

Finding reverse is no problem...just first.

Try double-clutching each time you shift to first.
Phil

How would you double clutch from a red light if you are already in neutral?

My understanding of "double clutching" is have it in first gear, put the clutch in, take it out of gear, release the clutch, put the clutch back in and shift to second....

901 trannys are quirky going into first. My technique is to try to anticipate the light changing, engage clutch, and slide it in slowly. Didn't go? Release clutch, engage clutch, wait a moment, try again. Works 99% of the time.

Assuming everything is correct (e.g. decent 1st synchro, shift linkage bushings in good shape, shifter adjusted correctly), you might want to try changing over to synthetic tranny lube. On mine, the decrease in shift effort and smoothness was like night and day. One caveat - your tranny may "weep" more fluid with synthetic, it seems to be normal for 901's.

I'd recommend the following: check all bushings to see if they have gotten soft or worn out. Make sure the clutch is releasing fully, since it uses a cable and they do stretch somewhat over time you might need to take up the adjusting nut several flats. If the bushings are new or like new then when the tranny is in gear there should be less than 1/4 inch of free movement at the top of the shift knob. Good luck

I've experienced the same thing at times. I've found if I do one of 2 things I don't have the problem.
1. If it feels like it didn't go in completely I let the clutch out very gently while applying pressure to the gear shift and it slides in the rest of the way or...
2. put it into 3rd and right back into 1st. Seems to help make things mesh.
bruce

Put it in any other gear momentarily, then first.

OR

Let clutch out, push clutch in again and put into first. Either technique has always solved the problem for me, in any 914 with a decent trans.

think back to when you had your first vw. not the 914. did'nt you always have pull it back to second before engaging first gear?

Thanks for the reply's. I've tried most of those things and they do work....when I remember to do it. Most of the time, it's "oh crap...lights changed".

I've never checked the bushings, or have I checked the alignment, I'll put that on the winter list.

My first VW was a '77 Rabbit. Next was a '77 Rabbit....third was a '77 Rabbit. I see a pattern emerging.... :)

i was thinking more ac volkswagens than water. 59 bug, 69 ghia, 72 type 3, 72 914. i think i see a pattern developing. screw the folks behind you at the light, they can wait an extra 30 seconds.

kevin

Eric,

Its one of 2 things:

Slider is toast or the dog teeth are toast for first gear.

90% of the time they are both going bad or are bad.

You can pull first gear slider off and check it out with minor hand tools and some new gaskets.

Be prepared, Porsche gearbox parts prices have shot up over the last 2 months. I cant get 1st gear slider for anything less than 275$ anymore.

This pick is of a 1st gear slider that was doing exactly what you described. Its appears semi decent. JUNK.

B

Eric,
Double clutching is used when downshifting. It consists of disengaging the clutch, moving the shift lever to neutral, engaging the clutch while in neutral, disengaging the clutch again (double clutching), selecting a lower gear and again engaging the clutch. It can be performed at speed or at a standstill.
Phil

Hey Brad, nice picture of the slider. From an artistic point of view it's of "frame-able" quality. Lighting is nice, contrasting colors from light to dark are very even, shadowing is setting off the point of interest along with the clarity of the teeth.
Very good sir!
bruce

I was having same "hard into 1st" problem. My trans is fresh,shift bushings new, linkage adjusted. Realized that when I met some resistance, I was pulling lever harder to the left. Once I stopped trying to make it go in by pulling left, as well as back, problem went away. Try pulling left just enough to get into the 1st-reverse gate, not hard left to the stop. Made a big difference for me.

Mystery 1st gear
 

The answer is likely better anticipation or paticience. Or- the tranny is screwed-up. Good Luck.

My big fear is that it could be the slider. If it is, I guess it's not the end of the world. Just more money... If I can remember correctly, I have no problem going from second to first while the car is in motion.

Jim - I did notice I was doing what you were saying, pulling to the gate. I've been trying to ease off a little and slide it in.

>>>Just more money...

I have the same exact problem - 160K miles on the tranny! I'm pretty sure that if I baby it, it will last a good long time (probably years) before it becomes a problem that costs money.

The techniques described usually help me get into first. Usually while still moving but coming to a stop it will slide into 1st with no problem. If I forget to do that, double clutching, or hitting 3rd or 2nd will work.

Worn parts or misadjusted shift forks.

Drive a tranny I built and it will down shift into first at 15mph with no hesitation.

The other problem with his setup could be the syncro rings themselves. When they wear, the slider doesnt properly slow the gear down for the dog teeth to engage.

Thanks Bruce.. on the pic. 2 years of photography are actually paying off for web use. Wait until I purchase the 2400$ digital camera that I will use for SSI print adds.

B