How to know when you manual tranny is going out

[webshot]

I am not sure if it is a clutch issue, adjustment issue, or is the tranny bad. But I jus bought a 86 GT and 1st gear feels real strong (I mean real strong) 2nd gear is almost non-existant, 3,4 are cool and fifth seems weak and seems to slip. Not smells, noises or shakes are coming from the drive train. You guys think I should service the tranny or is it more than likely the clutch or something? Are there any little tricks of the trade I can use to diagnose my tranny?

Thanks in advance

 

[jackchan]

em check your drive shaft bolts, they could be like mine were 2 were out, and the other 2 were loose! lol
good luck
Jack

 

[webshot]

I will do that today. Wouldnt that make the car shake at certain speeds tho??

 

[JBeezy53]

slipping would probably be your clutch. does it grind or whine in any gear? how about popping out of any gear? What do you mean
about 2nd being non existant? bad syncro?

 

[webshot]

No grinding, no popping out of gear, no noises. I can power thru 1st then when I pop it into 2nd, its like there is not power it pulls slow. 3rd is okay. Also the gears dont catch until the clutch pedal is almost at the top of the motion.

 

[srothfuss]

If the clutch is going out, you will have trouble engaging gears. Also you can test for slipage on the highway. Get going at a certain speed, without pressing on the clutch step on the gas. If the RPM's go up but your speed stays constant than your clutch is slipping. If the speed goes up as the REV's climb than your clutch is still OK.

A sign of a bad transmission is lots of metal in the fluid. Popping out of second while you are going down the road.

 

[TorontoJohn]

ya,

If the clutch is gone you will have problems in all gears, not certain gears. It sounds like a tranny problem.

 

[webshot]

I'll check the fluids and stuff this weekend. The RPM thing is going on too, when I am in fifth the rpms go up but the the car goes no where. First gear seems ok, pedal engages high tho.

 

[JBeezy53]

I'll check the fluids and stuff this weekend. The RPM thing is going on too, when I am in fifth the rpms go up but the the car goes no where. First gear seems ok, pedal engages high tho.

The rpm thing usually indicates a bad clutch. If your clutch cable is adjustable i would try that first, but it is probably the clutch.

 

[Strype]

Yep... el clutcho has bitten el dusto homie. First gear wasn't very noticable when mine first started going. It'll get bad quick!

 

[webshot]

Thanks guys I'll look into getting a clautch.

BTW just so I dont have to make a new thread. WHat is the best clutch I can get for my 86 GT? There are no mods at the moment, but there will be very quickly.

 

[srothfuss]

King Cobra is very popular as well as the Center Force Dual Friction

I'll be doing a CF clutch this spring.

 

[Strype]

Some of those after market clutches get a little stiff... I just get stock clutches so I can feather my baby off the line without squeeling.

Squeeling = Losing

But if you have slicks and want to launch... do what srothfuss says... there's no in between with my current race clutch. (I hate them personally) Depends on watcha like.

 

[webshot]

Thanks, HoodStrype brought up a good point, I have heard people having these adjustable clutch cables or something like that. Do you guys also recommend one of those? I am not sure how they work I just here about them alot.

Also do I want a 10 spline or 26 spline input (think I am going with centerforce).