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Trans hard to shift

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1986LX2002
  • Start date Start date Sep 30, 2004

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
317
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0
Sep 30, 2004
#1
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #1
My tremec has been getting a lil hard to shift into 2nd and 4th lately. if i'm at a light though with the clutch in i can move the shifter just fine after work it back and forth a lil, its like a hot knife through butter. But when driving its a lil rough to shift, it doesnt grind or anything but it sucks when you need to shift fast. any thoughts?
 

ECU5.0

Banned
Jan 10, 2004
1,803
1
0
raleigh, nc
Sep 30, 2004
#2
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #2
sounds like a synchro problem or a shift fork problem....how many miles are on the trans?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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Sep 30, 2004
#3
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #3
1986LX2002 said:
My tremec has been getting a lil hard to shift into 2nd and 4th lately. if i'm at a light though with the clutch in i can move the shifter just fine after work it back and forth a lil, its like a hot knife through butter. But when driving its a lil rough to shift, it doesnt grind or anything but it sucks when you need to shift fast. any thoughts?
Click to expand...
can you please decipher this a little - i dont have my 1986LX2002 decoder ring with me. (i know im just as bad with my lack of punctuation and capitalization - let alone scattered thought process).

so it is hard to shift when cold? im sorry but im lost. if you can clean that up so we can see the exact situations when it is better or worse (i.e. it shifts good when cold, or hot, etc).

how is the clutch adjustment? i might dial in a little more tension (tighten it) if you think it might be loose. does it shift smooth if you match revs (heel/toe)?

is the level up to snuff? correct fluid?

good luck.

PS, let me know if you need the Hissin decoder ring.
 
M

mooktank

New Member
Jul 7, 2004
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Sep 30, 2004
#4
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #4
do you use GM synchromesh fluid?
 

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
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Sep 30, 2004
#5
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #5
Sorry hissin about the jumbo i typed, most post's i do are early in the morning after work Anyway here's whats going on, When i drive the car I have to push the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor like pretty much stomp on it for a smooth shift. If i'm at a stop light though with the clutch in and go through the gears while sitting it becomes smooth, but when i release the clutch and outta gear and then go to put it back into gear its hard to get it back into gear. With the clutch out too you can hear a whirling noise until you press in the pedal. Doesnt matter if its hot or cold out either does it all the time. I parked my car on sunday night with no problem and monday morning i noticed it was a pain to shift. I have GM syncromesh in and its full to spec. And there isnt a lot of miles on the tranny "less than a year old" I hope theres nothing wrong internally with the tranny it self, if so i'm putting in an automatic! i've already had a T5 commit suicide on me twice thats why i put in the 3550.

BTW decoder rings are for sale at my gift shop! lol
 

1986LX2002

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Aug 15, 2002
317
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Sep 30, 2004
#6
  • Sep 30, 2004
  • #6
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
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129
Oct 1, 2004
#7
  • Oct 1, 2004
  • #7
cool, thanks for clearing that up a little.

first thing that comes to mind: how is the clutch adjustment? what you said about the whirling noise leads me to think you might not have it dialed up all the way, and thus might not be disengaging the clutch all the way when you press the pedal.

lemme know how that sounds or if you have adjusted it already.

good luck bud.
 

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
317
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0
Oct 1, 2004
#8
  • Oct 1, 2004
  • #8
I adjusted the cable as far is it will go and it helped just a little bit but still makes noise. I'm thinking the throw out bearing is shot, it made tons of noise enough you couldnt hear the car and now its silent and quiet again "no matter what even if i adjusted the cable' I did notice since it is getting a lil cooler here in AZ its a lil hard at first but as i drive it does get a little better. But I stopped into the GM dealer and picked up some GM sncyromesh "weird feeling telling them it was for my mustang lol" Since the tranny was put in i've put over 5000miles on it "i was supposed to change the fluid at 500 miles. SO this weekend i have a project to take care of.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Oct 1, 2004
#9
  • Oct 1, 2004
  • #9
1986LX2002 said:
I adjusted the cable as far is it will go and it helped just a little bit but still makes noise. I'm thinking the throw out bearing is shot, it made tons of noise enough you couldnt hear the car and now its silent and quiet again "no matter what even if i adjusted the cable' I did notice since it is getting a lil cooler here in AZ its a lil hard at first but as i drive it does get a little better. But I stopped into the GM dealer and picked up some GM sncyromesh "weird feeling telling them it was for my mustang lol" Since the tranny was put in i've put over 5000miles on it "i was supposed to change the fluid at 500 miles. SO this weekend i have a project to take care of.
Click to expand...
tell me about it (Im in Tucson). we got down to 90* and it feels cool!

good luck with the fluid swap. i dont have any other advice cuz im not conversant with the Tremecs.....

good luck bud.
 

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
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0
Oct 1, 2004
#10
  • Oct 1, 2004
  • #10
its pretty bad when we think less than 98 is cold in AZ lol. I'm originally from the far east coast too. later Hissin
 
5

5.0guy

Member
Apr 17, 2004
320
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17
MI
Oct 1, 2004
#11
  • Oct 1, 2004
  • #11
whirling? throw-out bearing..just a thought
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Oct 2, 2004
#12
  • Oct 2, 2004
  • #12
5.0guy said:
whirling? throw-out bearing..just a thought
Click to expand...
that was my thought too - that is what i was referring to in my second (i think) post. often a loud TOB can be fixed with some preload - where i was going with the line of thinking.

if it makes noise with preload, the TOB could very likely be at fault, as you said.

i have no idea what the retainer situation is with the tremec - i would bet it is a steel unit. worth checking for sure when and if in-there.

86LX - i hear ya - im from Alaska. had to get out of the cold!
 

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
317
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0
Oct 2, 2004
#13
  • Oct 2, 2004
  • #13
Yeah the throw out bearing is kinda been giving my grief. As fair at the retainer on the tremec its nothing special "which sucks" consider how much i paid for it. When my clutch starts to act up i'll replace everything including the flywheel, last time it was resurfaced it had almost no meat on it so a new one is in the near future.

Hey Hissin you coming up to fun ford weekend in nov at firebird?
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Oct 2, 2004
#14
  • Oct 2, 2004
  • #14
1986LX2002 said:
Hey Hissin you coming up to fun ford weekend in nov at firebird?
Click to expand...
if it means i have to drive up to the greater Phoenix area, probably not. LOL.

seriously, im not sure. in most all liklihood, probably not. ill just have to vicariously enjoy Curt's pictures.
 

1986LX2002

Founding Member
Aug 15, 2002
317
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0
Oct 2, 2004
#15
  • Oct 2, 2004
  • #15
I know what you mean, traffic is becoming a pain here in the valley. Firebird is right off the I10 with no housing within miles just freeway.
 
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