915 is tight in 5th

[archstanton]

I had my transmission rebuilt 3,500mi ago, after which it takes substantial effort shifting from 3rd to 4th (using Swepco 201). I've been fiddling with coupler adjustment, thinking it might help (so far it hasn't). But meanwhile, I notice that the adjustment procedures specify that, when in 5th, there should be some play in the shifter. While the trans shifts into 5th w/o too much effort, there is absolutely no play when in 5th. I'm wondering if this is a problem and why. Is there potential for trans damage here?

[pmax]

No play on 5th appears normal, given the lockout mechanism. My 915's the same.

If only 3-4th is clunky, I say it's not your shifter adjustment since 3-4 should be no problem if it finds the other gears.

[john walker's workshop]

Do you have a short shifter?

[Antomero]

I’ve noticed that there are some variables in which the 915 tranny shifts much better. I’ll start with new engine and tranny mounts with a slight improvement. I also went ahead and changed the tranny oil with dino oil. Also all bushing are new within the shifting components. To me the biggest difference is when I had the car corner balanced and added a Steve Wong chip. My 915 shifts better than ever. And big props to Steve Wong! The carrera feels like it lost 500 lbs. It’s awesome in every gear!

[J-Mac]

Assuming linkage adjustment is correct, 915s shift much better over 3000 rpm - according to the experts advice I’ve read on here. My own experience bears this out to be true.

[archstanton]

Thanks for the suggestions. No short shifter, and bushings, Wevo coupler and engine/trans mounts are all fresh.

Antomero: I've never had my car corner balanced, but it does feel noticeably better with a passenger, so maybe its time for it. I'm also about to switch to Kendall NS-MP 80W-90 to see if there's a general shifting improvement over the Swepco

[manbridge 74]

Nothing will help if the shift forks are out of adjustment. The factory instructions are rather vague and it’s easy to get tripped up during a rebuild.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

First off;
Make sure your Transmission crossmember bolts are tight.
Rear engine also.

[john walker's workshop]

Center the shifter in the housing and hold it all the way left. Loosen the coupler nut/bolt just enough to turn the coupler all the way right and tighten fasteners. Sounds like you may be a hair off on that adjustment, being 5th is hard to get into. You know when it's right when you can shift from 5th to 4th without nicking reverse.

[archstanton]

Usually I can shift 5 to 4 w/o nicking reverse, but if i'm not careful I will occasionally knick it. Is that consistent with proper adjustment, or should it never nick reverse if properely adjusted?

[Antomero]

Originally Posted by archstanton

Usually I can shift 5 to 4 w/o nicking reverse, but if i'm not careful I will occasionally knick it. Is that consistent with proper adjustment, or should it never nick reverse if properely adjusted?

Should never nick reverse.

[Walt Fricke]

You knick reverse if the fore and aft adjustment is a little off, and the blocking pawl on the top of the shift tower doesn't completely close (move full left) when you put the transmission into 5th. If the adjustment is just a bit out, if you really force it forward going to 5th, the pawl will click into place. But if you don't get it that last fraction of an inch, the pawl will stick against the rod. You can still get back to neutral and the lower gears, but if you don't move the lever left in time, you can get to reverse.

Luckily, you can't actually get into reverse, and the reverse gear system isn't as delicate as the synchro system for the other gears, so it is more an embarrassment than a harm.

You deal with this by dry shifting with the boot pulled up, so you can see what the pawl is doing. And then adjust as necessary.

[archstanton]

OK, thanks all for the helpful advise, I'll check everything again. I do hate nicking reverse

[Jgordon]

Someone say nick again. I doubledog dare you.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Jgordon

Someone say nick again. I doubledog dare you.

Okay

Oh..and Mr Gordon, I like you for some strange reason and we've never met.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by archstanton

OK, thanks all for the helpful advise, I'll check everything again. I do hate nicking reverse

Just for good measure you might want to check your clutch cable adjustment. I've read threads where guys do an adjustment on the coupler then shift with the engine off just to make sure everything is moving then look for changes while the engine is running. Is the shifting tight with the engine off as well?

Btw, you guys all make "nicking" sound bad.

[archstanton]

Yes, I've only done adjustments with the trans cold and it always feels clunky then. Maybe warming it up first would help. Thanks Nick

[JBSC]

Originally Posted by archstanton

Yes, I've only done adjustments with the trans cold and it always feels clunky then. Maybe warming it up first would help. Thanks Nick

I like to adjust the coupler cold, then take the car out for a drive and make additional adjustments as needed with the car warm. That typically involves me pulling over to the side of the road a few times. Always dials in.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by archstanton

But meanwhile, I notice that the adjustment procedures specify that, when in 5th, there should be some play in the shifter.

Re-reading your post again, which adjustment procedure are you referring to ?

[JSV798]

As Walter says your for-aft adjustment needs lengthening: here's something I posted a few weeks back:

I had this problem; you need to lengthen the fore-aft movement slightly. Mark the position of the coupling with tape, then slacken the nut and pull GENTLY back on the gear lever. Move it no more than 1mm at the coupling. Tighten and test. Repeat as necessary.