Crunchy Second Gear

[Coloradocobra]

Hi David,

My rebuilt large spline close ratio toploader worked great for about 1500 miles and then one day it just started to grind going into second on up-shift or downshift. I can double-clutch and it goes in and if I keep the revs low in first and shift slowly it will go in OK. I tried 85-140 with no luck. It seems to shift OK when cold and gets worse as I drive so I thought the thicker oil might help.

Is there anything else to try or should I just plan to tear it down this winter and start checking fits and dimensions? The shop in Denver that did the rebuild is suspicous (I learned after the fact) and may have simply put in used parts.

Regards,

Gary

[David Kee]

It sounds like the bronze ring or the engagement teeth on second are heavily worn. Unfortunately most manual transmission shops only use what they have to instead of changing all the wearable parts when it is apart. This is how they keep the price down.

Here's what we do:
http://www.4speedtoploaders.com/ourtoploaders.htm