T5 first gear engagement

PNJSNAK · #1 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 06:31 PM

I am having a bit of trouble with my tranny, when at cold operating conditions engagement of shifter into all gears when the clutch is engaged is fine. After tranny is at running temperature after 20 to 30 mins of easy driving, engaging 1st gear is very difficult. Almost feel as though I am forcing it into gear. Other gears no problem, even reverse. I believe I have the clutch manual cable adjusted properly. Even if I move the adjustment nut back and forth it is still hard to get into 1st. The tranny was rebuilt about 9k miles ago. It seems I have been having this problem for at least the last 4k miles or so.
Any help or suggestions would be helpful.
Jim

relaxinrob · #2 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 06:37 PM

It sounds like your synchronizer rings on first gear are bad. Try shutting off the engine and see if it goes into first easily....if it does then it's probably time to pull down the trans and get it fixed......i see that the t5 was rebuilt 9k ago, so maybe your 351W is too much for it....I would advise not rebuilding it and getting a Tremec to handle the job better

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 06:44 PM

I wouldn't see how 1st gear synchros would go bad....they're hardly ever used....the only time they're used is if you're downshifting into 1st when you're rolling at a good speed....

Does it happen from a deadstop, or are you trying to get it up into 1st when the car's rolling?

PNJSNAK · #4 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 06:44 PM

Relaxinrob;

If in fact I decide to change to the Temec. Any ideas how much effort would be involved? What modifications will I need to make? Will the driveshaft need to be changed? What about bolting up to the clutch housing? Will the shifter be in the same place? Would there be any advantage to changing to hydraulic clutch actuation from the manual cable I presently use.
Jim

PNJSNAK · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 07:14 PM

Blykins:
It happens when I am at a light or stop sign. Typically I like to throw it into neutral when I am coming up to a stop. Don't like to sit holding the clutch in. So when I engage the clutch and put the shift lever to 1st I almost have to force it in. And I feel like I have to push the clutch pedal thru the firewall. Again, this is only after driving it for a while. I can down shift into 1st without a problem if I want coming up to a stop. When I am shifting into other gears while the car is rolling the clutch is about halfway depressed allowing me to shift gears. When at the stop sign or light clutch pedal seems to be as far as I can push it.
Jim

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 08:02 PM

So it's only when it's been sitting....and it's hot then, right? It seems to work fine rolling or coming to a stop? Hmmm... I really don't think it's the synchros...or you'd have trouble downshifting to 1st when you're rolling....

Also, since it happens when you're at a stop, that too indicates something other than synchros. When you're sitting still, in neutral, with the clutch out, everything still turns inside the tranny. When you push the clutch in, everything inside the tranny will stop.....so....

Next time you're out, try this.....or you may already know the answer.

After you have been driving awhile and would typically get the problem, come to a complete stop. Put it in neutral, let the clutch out. Then push the clutch in and give it several seconds so that everything inside the tranny has quit spinning. Then try to put it into gear. If it still gives you the problem, then it is definitely not the synchros....because there's nothing to synchronize....it should be just a simple meshing of idle gears.

I'm stumped.

Dirty Harry · #7 (**permalink**) 07-28-2004, 09:44 PM

I had the same complaint recently. I found that the input shaft bearing was worn, allowing the input shaft to have up-and-down movement as well as side-to-side play. I think this was causing the input shaft to drag in the pilot bearing somewhat. I put in a new front bearing and bearing retainer, reassembled everything, slowed my idle speed a couple hundred RPM and the problem seems much better. About $50 total, plus two evenings labor.

zipzip · #8 (**permalink**) 07-29-2004, 09:52 AM

Seems to me that if it only develops the problem when it's at temperature, it's either lube related (hot vs. cold viscosity) or some sort of alignment that goes out of whack when everything's hot. Driveshaft isn't bottoming on the trans at temp? Some sort of alignment issue on the shift housing? Have you tried to idle the engine up to temp without driving and then see if it repeats? Or is it only when the trans gets up to temp? Jack up the rear wheels and pull a Ferris Beuller (sp?) to warm up the whole drivetrain. Just don't do EVERYTHING Ferris did...

Dirty Harry might be onto it too - a worn bearing that is pretty stable cold, but wobbly-wobbly at temp...

vbdig · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2004, 04:47 PM

I'm having the same problem. Sometimes I have to shut the engine off to engage, or put it in 2nd and then first. Only when hot, but it feels like a linkage adjustment to me. Is there a linkage adjustment on this trans? The reason I think this is you can push very hard on the lever, and no engagement. Also, third gear slot is hard to hit.( Goes into 5th if not careful). This tranny is 6000 miles from new.