4th Gear problems

computers4kids · 06-18-2005, 10:15 PM

I bought a 74 914 that needed a clutch replacement. The previous owner said the side shift transmission worked fine. After replacing the clutch, and driving the car for the first time, I found that when I try to shift into 4th it pops out. I then replaced the shifting rod coupler cap bushing, and still no 4th. Now I wondering if 4th gear has problems in the transmission or is this a linkage issue?? I couldn't see any kind of adjustments to make 4th work.
I would appreciate any advice. I really don't want to pull the transmission again unless I have too...that was a lot of work! I have a 1.8 and some of the bolts are a b.....to get get at.

Thanks, Mark

AaronM · 06-18-2005, 11:12 PM

There's a whole bunch of places for that linkage to get weird. If you only replaced a singlt bushing, there's a lot more left to go.

If you think it's a job getting the transaxle out of a 914 (most can drop the engine and transaxle in an afternoon without trouble), just try it on a 944...

computers4kids · 06-19-2005, 06:43 AM

Thanks for the tip. If I have to pull this transaxle too many times, I think I'll cut the concrete and dig a hole in my garage floor to build a pit that I can drive over. My body still hasn't recovered from being a contortionist the last time.
Mark

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

Try adjusting the linkage under the shifter linkage. Its pretty easy but you will have to remove the center console if you have one. Loosen the pinch bolt and move the shifter towards second/fourth a hair more and tighten it down. Test drive to see if that helps.

computers4kids · 06-19-2005, 09:36 PM

Thanks for your advice. I tried loosening the pinch bolt and trying it in different positions. All the other gears (except 4th) seem to work better or worse changing the position of how far the shifting rod slides into the coupler under the shifter. 4th doesn't have the same feel when you run through the gears with the engine not running as the other do. 4th continues to pop out of gear.
Mark

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

It's possible that there is a problem with 4th gear inside the transmission. But it's well worth the time/effort/$$ making certain that the shift linkage is not the cause of your problems. Go through the rest of the linkage and check 4th gear out again.

--DD

Tidybuoy · 06-20-2005, 11:15 AM

Also check your engine & transmission mounts. If the rubber is cracked, then the transmission can move a little.

Read the tech article on this site. It's got lots of shifting tips and has photos of all the bushings that can need replacing.

Lastly, it's possible that the shifter can need adjusting. The bottom piece that clamps onto the shift rod and be adjusted. After putting in my new clutch I had shifting problems (but that was 1st & Reverse), adjusting the shifter solved it.

Vern

Otto · 06-20-2005, 04:50 PM

Change the intermediate plate bearings.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

That might also be the cause of the problem. But I still feel it's worth trying the "external" stuff first. Intermediate plate bearings definitely count as "internal" to the transmission. And once you dig into the transmission that far, you're pretty much talking transmission overhaul.

--DD

computers4kids · 06-20-2005, 08:59 PM

Lots of great ideas. Sounds like most still beleve my "popping-out" of 4th gear is related to linkage--I hope so. I'll explore these options. Tell me if this idea sounds too crazy...I would like to rule out the linkage. If I disconnected the shift rod's rear coupler and manually put the trans in 4th do you think it would be OK to feather the heck out of the clutch to see if if will stay in 4th?? Would this be to hard on my new clutch?
Thanks again, Mark

Tidybuoy · 06-20-2005, 09:13 PM

I don't think starting the car up in 4th a couple of times would be a problem.

Sounds like this could work. If the linkage was disconnected, I don't think it could pop out of gear unless is was some other problem.

Another test of the motor mounts is - does the shifter move in your hand when reving the engine?

Too bad there aren't any long downhills in Visalia. It would be much easier to get the car going (in 4th).

Good Luck............................Vern

karlp · 06-21-2005, 06:59 AM

If I understand correctly, it pops out of fourth under load?
He won't need to get moving, it'll pop out just trying to.

Karl

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Sounds like a good way to eliminate the linkage and motor/trans mounts as suspects. And doing it once or twice shouldn't fry your clutch, especially if you can find something of a downhill stretch.

If it still happens without the linkage, then it is probably transmission rebuild time...

(Or just replace with a used transmission and hope it's better than yours.)

--DD

Otto · 06-21-2005, 09:00 AM

You guys are wasting your time, it is a internal problem. As usual you don't listen. If you get reverse and second gears IT IS NOT THE LINKAGE!

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

I have to agree with Otto, if you get 2nd gear fine then its inside.

computers4kids · 06-21-2005, 08:36 PM

I just read on a tech article that if a "clutch tube" begins to fail, the driver will have a difficult time finding 4th and 5th gear. Although 5th works fine, does this sound right? I don't understand why this would effect 4th and 5th gear and not the others. I will explore the ideas I've read so far in this forum. I'm still hoping that the last couple of suggestions about an internal problem end up incorrect.
Thanks again all,
Mark

Tidybuoy · 06-21-2005, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Posted by Otto "As usual you don't listen"

Hey Hey Hey! No need to be cranky here, were just trying to help. Now go back to bed.

Joe Ricard · Joe Ricard's Garage

Well I can tell you. expend all other alternatives before going inside a transaxle.
I have a transaxle spread all over my (clean) work bench. It's a spare that I am flipping 3rd and 5th. Pretty cool but not for the faint of heart. I'm getting a real understanding of how this stuff really works. Here in a few weeks I should have some spare gears and stuff. No bearings as the donor trans had shattered intermediate bearings.

karlp · 06-22-2005, 05:30 AM

Hey Joe - Getting pretty hot out, isn't it....

I've been doing a study of decay on my car, seeing how far a fella can push a vehicle until it absolutely won't go no more

If you want to take a look it had better be pretty soon!

Karl

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

if the intermediate bearings are toast the shafts can move around bouncing out of the gears.