oops...i broke my cobra...need a tranny shop...

Ever · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 05:59 PM

Hey everyone!!

I was out taking my car out for a drive yesterday, I was leaving the O'hare toll booth (in a hurry....) I shifted from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to third I was on my way to 4th when i think i missed the shift and the tranny locked up. I pushed the clutch in and let her drift to the shoulder.

Well to make a long story short. I only have 1st gear in my Richmond Street five speed. The shifter feels like its in neutral, but I can't get the stick to go into 1st thru 4th gear. It feels like I can get into 5th and Rev, but nothing actually happens when I get it into those gears.

The clutch works cause I can move the car, but I can't get it out of 1st gear.

Anyone know of a reputable shop in the northern suburbs where I can have the car towed and looked at. I was able to limp along back to my parents house, but with no reverse, its gonna be hard to get it out of their garage.

If anyone has any suggestions on getting it drivable so I can get it to a shop that would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ever

blykins · #2 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 06:44 PM

Look under it first and make sure the linkages aren't fouled or broken....

Did the tranny actually lock up? Did it make the rear wheels lock up and slide?

Ever · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 06:59 PM

I am going to get under it tomorrow. Couple of guys said that i might have bent the linkages or somehow got it caught between the 1-2 and 3-4 gate.

It didnt actually lock up the rear wheels, when i was going to 4th and missed, I never did let up on the clutch....I never really got on it till yesterday, and i wasn't going all that fast. Though my wife who was right behind me said one minute i was at the toll booth and the next second i was gone. lol

My wife told me that is what I get for trying to get away from her and our baby....lol

I am hoping that i can get to those linkages from underneath and hopefully they aren't all bent out of shape or broken? (DOH!!)

I haven't worked on a Richmond 5 speed before so it will be a learning experience.

Thanks,

Ever

RichMusson · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 08:14 PM

Ever
I have a lift in my garage.
If you can drive it to my house you are welcome to put it up on the lift. If you do need to drop the transmission we would need to get a tranmission jack - I do not have one. If it is only the linkage we should be able to fix it fairly quickly and easily.
Rich Musson

Ever · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 08:29 PM

Rich,

I am gonna put it up on ramps tomorrow and take a look. If it looks like just some linkage problem I will try and mess with it myself. If not...i may take you up on your offer....

I will drop you an email with my contact info.

Thanks,

Ever

OhBuoy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-04-2005, 08:48 PM

I have a Harbor Freight Transmission jack. Although it is not tall enough to get under the lift if you are standing under the car, if you got it up on the lift, put the transmission jack under there and unbolted the belhousing bolts and transmission mounts, you could then slide the tranny back and lift the car out of the way to move it out. I am a little south of Rich.

Had my trans in and out with it just on stands, but the life would make it a ton easier.

Tom

Ever · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 08:20 AM

First off I want to thank all of you guys for the advice on my trans. The trans was just stuck in first becuase the linkage got jammed. I got it up in the air yesterday took a screwdriver to the stuck linkage and it was fine. I was up and running again.

I also want to thank Rich for offering to help with his lift, I actually went over to his house to check out his ride last night. After seeing his ride I am planning on a whole bunch of changes to my own.

Looks like the weather will be nice on Saturday. I am hoping to drive out to CIR...unless I break my car again....

See everyone on Saturday!!!

Ever

Badman · #8 (**permalink**) 04-10-2005, 05:53 AM

Ever,

I heard you had some car trouble and your car was towed after Saturday’s meeting. What happened? Everything okay?

Frank

USrowboy · #9 (**permalink**) 04-04-2006, 07:38 PM

Same thing happened to me!!! just this past Sunday. Some trouble getting it into reverse, then first. Then stuck in gear. I called ERA and they said the springs that keep the pattern in order broke most probably and that in the richmond 5 speed it is not uncommon.
I have yet to get the car 70 miles from home. But remove the tunnel, and seats to access the top of the tranny. You might be able to change them yourself after removing some stuff up top.
Hope that helps

Jeff Frigo · #10 (**permalink**) 04-04-2006, 08:36 PM

Use to happen every once in a great while with my top loader. The first time it happened, I $hit my pants and didn't know what to do. I finally got pissed and began yanking on the shifter and wala, it was fixed.

Blas · #11 (**permalink**) 04-04-2006, 09:21 PM

Jeff,
Weren't you once a WCCC Club member?
I have your name on a list from long ago.
We're lots larger now - 55 members I think.
Consider coming back.
We have a meeting Sunday - Your welcome to join us.