Can also be a worn hub that allows more movement than was designed so the syncro can get stuck , run up on the ramp too far. Some 911 drivers early trans did this often when rushing a shift , the old Porsche design syncro just does not like quick shifts very much. Not nearly as forgiving as the Borg-Warner style... Not saying you did anything WRONG at all the trans may easily have had worn parts just waiting to act up.

 

Great there is hope for recovery ! don't need no stinking second gear !!!

 

Don't want to argue the point because all the experts here think it's something else, but it still sounds like mine. When the problem first started, I also would have sworn that 2nd was fully engaged. If it is the same problem, you'll eventually be less convinced that it's fully in 2nd as it starts getting sloppier, and eventually you'll experience the same thing in 3rd, and then in 5th as it gets completely worn out.

The socket lining in mine disintegrated over a span of about 500 miles, mostly city driving with lots of shifting. Once it starts to go, it'll go pretty quick.

 

Thanks Bronto. I have not checked the Ball cup, but will.

 

lift the boot see if the forward rod is moving back and forth if so the the front socket is worn....lift the body off the suspension and driveline to replace

 

I did that. Its connected. Front was replaced recently.

 

In finding out more about the trans, I found its a later unit:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/456500-edit-2400-rpm-at-80mph.html

But I will have to remove it because it does not seem external.

 

Having the same problem, But mine is an automatic and will not go into park.....cant turn it on either....just happened like 15 minutes ago! says its in Reverse when in park......??????

 

I had the same problem after replacing the Syncros in my 1978. I was shifting into 2nd for about the fifth time on my first test drive when it quit working. I could tell the Shift Ring wouldn't slide over the Syncro, and no amount of forcing of the Shift Lever would help. I assumed that the Syncro formed a burr, or was binding so I disconnected the rear Shift Linkage, and tapped the Shift Rod directly with a Mallet, and with verry little effort it dropped right in to second Gear. I haven't had any trouble with it since (500+ miles). I was surprised at how little force is really generated by the Shift Linkage, as three little taps of the Mallet pushed it past the sticky spot, and I was shoving the Shifter REAL hard previously. might be worth a try. Good luck!

 

Thanks!

 

You were right agent. As I mentioned, the entire trans was taken apart by Devek and rebuilt with new selector rings and new synchros. All other gears were just fine, including the gear in the same line as 2nd - 3rd. Since all the other gears were fine, I went under the car and re-aligned the selector shaft with the linkage, wiggled, pushed, but still nothing.

So I took for a test drive and pushed as hard as I could, risking breaking something else. I knew I was swaping boxes so didn't care if I broke something - i'd fix it.

Well, it went in perfectly with alot of force, and now goes in like all the other gears - very nicely. I tested it up to an redline shift several times, and its perfectly fine.

Thanks!

 

Agent 13 what a great call!!! Posts like this are just incredible. Look at all the wasted effort and time this post saved. Amazing. MY hat is off to you.

 

The shift mechanism contains some very long shafts and numerous plastic bushings. It's no wonder that it can absorb and dull lots of force between the shifter and the shift rod.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

 

This thread is worth the price of membership............... on its own.

GOLD, PURE GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So if Brendan had pulled the tranny and opened it up, would he have found nothing wrong inside?

What a great call Agent_13.