915 1st gear info

[Nick Triesch]

Maybe one of the 915 experts can answer this question. After my 911 is warmed up, much of the time it shifts down to 1st gear just the way it should, with no problem, like butter. Or from netural to 1st and so on. But then there are the times when I am at a light and the light goes to green and it will just not find 1st gear. It will after all the tricks (double clutch, touch 2nd and so on. My question is this...What the heck goes on inside of the box? Why would it be so smooth much of the time and then a bear the other times? I have good new gear oil and a new shift coupler that it adjusted fine. Is it a "clear the gears " sort of a thing? I remember when I was a kid my Brother taught me to clear the gears in old sportscars like going to 1st before reverse and so on. I can drive the car, I'm really good at it. It would just be nice to pop it in first most all of the time. I would just like to know, what gets in the way in the box because that is what it feels like. Why does going to 2nd many times make it pop into first? (but not always) Thank you, Nick

[Peter Zimmermann]

I gave up trying to solve that problem years ago! Seriously, relieve your frustration and just before coming to a stop, slip the transmission into first, and sit at the traffic light with your foot on the clutch. I've driven customer cars, and my own 915 cars, that way for more than thirty years.

Believe it or not, but most of the 915s I've repaired, that had a failed first gear synchro, were driven like you're trying to drive your car (I was not shy about asking my customers how they drove their cars). Sooner or later, when trying to shift into first at a traffic light, the synchro will be worn enough that the shift cannot always be completed. The next part of that wear cycle is occasional light grinding, followed by breaking off dog teeth, followed by synchro failure.

Try to experiment and figure out how your trans wants to be shifted, and drive the car that way. It and you will be happier!

[JAR0023]

When you come to a full stop the gears eventually stop spinning. No spinning no synchro action.

J

[davidbrain]

Hi, I have a 1976 911, with a 3.2 fitted to a 915 gearbox. My first gear shift is the same as yours. I have had the gearbox stripped and overhauled, due to the poor change into 1st. A few components were replaced, some synchros etc. but nothing major found. The guy who did the work is reputable porsche mechanic. It changed gear pretty well for a few days , but is back to the same as it was before $4,000 of work (new clutch included). If parked in the garage it shifts easily between all gears. When cold it is almost impossible to get into 1st. Sometimes it goes in beautifully, sometimes a little stiff, sometimes impossible. Second gear goes in ok, but sometimes a very slight clash, need to go slow. its got me buggered. A new clutch cable was also fitted which has made the clutch pedal a lot lighter. I have replaced all shifter bushes, so gear change feels nice and tight.

[Nick Triesch]

Yup, I guess it just the way it is. Really do not want to do a rebuild if it will be about the same. Falls into gear much of the time. All other gears fine. So, like Pete says, just drive it. At least my old 356 it would fall into first everytime when I touched second. 915 always works so nice untill I get off the freeway and stop at a light with 40 cars behind me! I'll just leave the clutch pushed in. At least I fixed my clock!

[strikee]

I have this "feature" on my 915 transmission. It was rebuilt before the car was shipped to me. Sometimes it slips nicely into 1st gear sometimes it's a pig. I just can't accept it came out of the factory like this so what is the issue???!!!!

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by strikee

I have this "feature" on my 915 transmission. It was rebuilt before the car was shipped to me. Sometimes it slips nicely into 1st gear sometimes it's a pig. I just can't accept it came out of the factory like this so what is the issue???!!!!

Never expect, or force, a 915 to do what you think it should do; always drive using techniques that make it happy. You, the driver, must adjust to your 915.

[na2ub]

After my tranny rebuild, shifting was okay, but not quite right. I replaced the shift bushings, to fix the problem, but I think the biggest contributing fix, was adjusting the coupler between the back seats. The smallest adjustment makes a big difference in how your gear lever finds the gears. That being said, I experience the same issues as the OP. But, it is something you can fiddle with and see if you get a better shifter response.

[Nick Triesch]

I have adjusted and re adjusted my new shift coupler 8 times. Right now I have it so it shifts very nice into all gears very nice. If it is done right, 5th and reverse will shift smooth. It does. But it still will, when you just do not expect it, balk at going into first. Most of the time a trip down to 2nd then right into first will take care if it......until you are in traffic at a dead stop or on the freeway with stop and go traffic. I was saving up for a trans rebuild but now I think I'll just put that money toward a future engine rebuild .

[stormcrow]

My 78 911 does the same thing. If I sit at a red light I put the shifter in neuteral. When I am ready to go, I push in the clutch, shift to 2nd gear then to 1st. Sometims it works, sometimes it doesn't. Otherwise, I just leave it in 1st with the clutch in.

SteveKJR