vcompetello

I have an 80 euro 5-spd, I just changed the synchros in the tranny last month. Now it shifts fine but every once in a while it's really really hard to shift into first, but only first. Usually when it happens I just take off in 2nd but it's getting annoying. Anyone have any idea why this could be happening?? Thanks

Vinnie

Garth S

It is remotely possible that the issue is not the trans .... but some air in either the clutch master or slave cyl.

GlenL

V,

I had my tranny re-built for bad synchros 4 years ago and I'm still having trouble getting it into 1st. It's not grining, it's that the gears won't engage. Seems to hang up on the synchro. I thought it would break in but no. I take every opportunity to downshift into 1st but with Redline synth gear oil I'm doubtful it'll work out. Going to 4th ain't too swell either.

I'm resigned to have it rebuilt again in the next few years. This time I'll get it done somewhere else by someone that knows what they're doing. (OK, I'm bluffing. I'll probably open it up and futz with it myself.)

the flyin' scotsman

Hot, cold or both?

If you have a 'power bleeder' I'd do as Garth suggests and rebleed the system; perhaps replace the existing fluid and check the difference.

FlyingDog

Shifter linkage? GlenL, that sounds like it might be your issue. Before I installed the short shifter, I had the same problem with 1, 4 and even worse for reverse.

GlenL

No problem finding the gears. R, 2, 3, and 5 are working well. Just freshened the rear coupler. I'm pretty sure it's bad parts or workmanship on my rebuild.

vcompetello

My problem happens both when it's hot and cold...but like I said previously, sometimes I try to shift first and it's perfectly smooth, sometimes it's a real pain. Sounds like the same problem glen has...no grinding I just can't seem to engage the gear, it feels like it's gettin stuck on the synchro. Only a real problem when I'm at a complete stop. If it happens when I'm moving (obviously very slowly) I can force it. I have figured out this trick. If I put the shifter into second, staying on the clutch the whole time, then it'll slide right into first right after. I'm not really worried about not getting into first because I have my ways I'm more worried about if the clutch isn't disengaging then I'll have to redo the synchros and I really don't feel like doing that again. Glen, let me know if you stumble into any breakthroughs.

Vinnie

jon928se

Vinnie

When did the transmission Oil last get changed ? If you don't know then changing to a full synth 75W90 may help. You're in New York City so it's still cold, this time of year. The gear oil takes a long long time to warm up, unless you are on the track it may never get really warm in the winter.

If you have a Euro 80 5sp with no synchro issues then your transmission deserves a treat.

FWIW I put Swepco gear oil in my 88SE with 100k miles (based on some bad advice as it turned out) - it wouldn't shift into 1st until about an hours driving had gone by. I put Valvoline Synth 75W90 in and it will now downshift into 1st at the end of my drive - about 100yds so very cold (relatively - I am in New Zealand so it is nice and warm at present)

Kolbjorn S

Second that, a friend with a 911 thought he had gear problems (1st, 2nd would not engange easily) but it turned out to be mainly from the linkage. Worth checking.

vcompetello

Ok thanks guys. I'll start by bleeding the clutch and checking the linkage since that sort of stuff doesn't cost a dime. If I don't find any problems I'll try a synthetic oil. I have regular 75-90 oil in there right now.

jyoon

i would guess it's not a synchro issue if you just changed those. if you feal like taking it apart again, you might examine the shift rod fingers to make sure they're not bent or worn. if they don't hold the shift sleeve square, it may be difficult to engage a gear. also the shift sleeve wears out which may cause grinding or hard shifting. it could also be some bearing on the top shaft that are worn that may cause some misallignment/play. i'm no tranny expert, these are just my thoughts after tearing mine apart.

vcompetello

I'm 95% sure it's not in the tranny. When we took that apart we really went over it meticulously for what we have to change. Plus it's really only 1st gear with the problem. From my understanding if there was a shift rod finger problem I would have trouble with reverse too. Thanks for the help though.

the flyin' scotsman

When riding a particular high power m/cycle many years ago I could not selected 5th gear............no matter hot or cold.............high revs or low............the issue was a missing bolt that held part of the shift linkage to the engine cases...........fitted a new bolt, checked the rest of the linkage and presto...........worked like new.

Garth S

BTW, does it slide into reverse easily? This is on the same shift plane as 1st; however, as reverse has no syncro, then issues with the clutch intermediate plate adjustment, air in clutch hydraulics, and shifter linkage alignment can be explored.
Actually, other than the ball cup on the front rod, what's to adjust on the shifter? - not much.

FlyingDog

The springs, bushings, and spacer in my shifter were destroyed. That meant I had to move the shifter farther to make the linkage do the normal movement. The shifter would hit the sides of the box area it's in because of the extra movement necessary.