Clutch or Transmission Problem? Seals?

[rep]

Any ideas why the following symptoms occur on a 74 Carrera with 86k miles? Transmission shifts ok with clutch disengaged and engine off or at idle including into 1st and reverse if judicious about depressing pedal to the stop. Clutch engages at takeoff but shift out of 1st is difficult and almost must be forced. Shift into 2nd is also difficult and upshift to 3rd, 4th or 5th impossible at speed, only grinds. The balky shifting in the lower gears has been progressing over time but higher gear problem was sudden. Clutch not fully disengaging?

Cable is likely stretched so I tightened cable adjuster nuts to end of threads. Clutch does engage/disengage at the upper region of the pedal travel when car is stationary. Clutch arm is slightly forward of perpendicular to the front/rear axis.

Shift bushings, ball cup, shift rod and coupler seem ok as transmission shifts with engine off and at idle.

Dropped engine/transmission and checked;

• clevis pin and clutch lever arm/plastic bushings in pedal cluster/roll pin clutch pedal shaft/tunnel tube/clutch pedal horizontal shaft
• motor/transmission mounts ok
• flywheel/pressure plate surfaces clean and smooth
• clutch disc 7.65 to 7.85mm with minimum of 1.07 mm above the rivets
• release bearing fork no cracks, ends show .5 mm wear compared virgin shoulder
• throw out shaft minimal play
• throw out bearing to pressure plate fingers play is left/right 3 mm, up/down 2 mm, yaw or pitch movement 1 mm
• TOB on guide tube 2 mm
• pilot shaft end not galling and has smooth surface with a tiny bit of discoloration/pilot bearing greased/removed flywheel spins freely on pilot shaft

I intend to replace the clutch disc/TOB/pilot bearing/guide tube and anything else appropriate but need to diagnose cause of problem to avoid finding condition still exists.

Why does the clutch disengage at idle but not while moving under power or coasting? Transmission problem?

Thanks for any input.

[yelcab1]

Well, you are staring at the seal. It's wet. It is $10, and 10 minutes. What are you waiting for?

[Uwon]

This is not looking good. Long shot-check the clutch for signs of hairline cracks around the fingers. Notwithstanding and unfortunately sounds like trani troubles IMHO. Bummer!
Johan

[rep]

Thanks for the reply. No surprise.

Care to venture an explanation of why?

What parts are worn or broken that make the 1st to 2nd shift hard?

Why 3rd thru 5th suddenly only grind?

[Uwon]

Million dollar question!
I can only share my experience.
In my case my trani suddenly started to grind. Thought it was clutch adjustment. Then later same day it was impossible to put it into any gear. Cause was a cracked finger



So this winter I dropped the engine again and did what I thought was some preventive maintenance on my perfectly shifting never before opened 250k trani. Surprise- the cages for all 5 gear needle bearing were cracked but had not fallen apart, which would have resulted at best in progressively more difficult shifting. Third gear synchro and 1st/2nd gear bits could be considered as "while you are in there" maintenance. Rest was all within spec even after such high mileage. Bearings are at top right (four in bags)