Roughness to Engage

[eleanor'03]

My boys '88 GT is having trouble getting into gear. Sometimes it slips right in and other times he has trouble with it. I don't believe it's the clutch because once the shifters in gear he's fine. Could it be the syncros? Linking? Thanks for your input.

 

[srothfuss]

When was the last time you changed out the fluid in the Trans? That is step one for smooth operation

 

[HISSIN50]

Does the issue seem to be temp related (or anything else that is consistant that you can think of)?

Where is the point of engagement with your clutch pedal? If near the floor, dial some slack out and see how things do (You want to be real sure you are fully disengaging the clutch).

Steve was right on in his post too. A quality synthetic is a nice way to go IMHO.

 

[eleanor'03]

the trans fluid is a good idea. The clutch engage is closer to the top and it seems to be gettin worse. Getting the shifter into gear is becoming a problem, could it be the tranny itself because that would be a big problem.

 

[Euphoric306]

really not enough information to tell exactly what it is. if it's got a firewall adjuster on it, try playing with the clutch cable.

any specific gears that are difficult or just any one? that could tell if it's tranny related or clutch related. maybe pressure plate is getting weak.. maybe TOB is on it's way out, etc.

 

[eleanor'03]

How do you change the fluid in the trans?

 

[HISSIN50]

How do you change the fluid in the trans?

There are about 5 different versions that people like to do. My quick version:

First loosen the fill plug. If you later cant get it off, you are screwed.

Then drain the fluid via the lower plug. For both, a 3/8" ratchet wrench head fits in the square hole.

Replace the drain plug and run clear tubing down the pass side of the motor. Get under and toss the tube in the fill hole. Then fill the tube from the engine bay (funnel on the clear tubing). Have someone watch the fill hole for when fluid starts coming out.

A T5 holds about 2.6 quarts.

Others fill through the shifter, etc.

Good luck.

 

[eleanor'03]

Aight thanx the flushing sounds easy enough. And it's all the gears that give trouble to engage so i dont think it's the clutch. Anymore ideas?

 

[srothfuss]

Not yet... Start by changing the fluid first. If there are still problems getting it into gear than there we will look for issues in the clutch linkage / system and activation

 

[Euphoric306]

you misunderstood. if it's all gears, it sounds like a clutch-related problem. think about the odds of all gears in your tranny going out at once... now think of the odds of SOMETHING to do with your clutch going bad.... compare