shifting (2nd gear)

[DaveVR4]

I've recently had problems shifting into 1st and 2nd. 1st gear started grinding most of the time and engages very low. As of last night, 2nd gear will not engage. It just grinds and won't go in.

I have an RPS 6-puck sprung hub clutch. 13k miles. I had the tranny rebuilt two years ago with new syncro's and steel shift forks.

Could this be as simple as a clutch adjustment or is it most likely tranny damage? The rest of the gears engage pretty smoothly, but I feel like they engage a little too low.

I used to go to FFI to do all the work, but if I need to rebuild the tranny (again), any recommendations on a shop?

Thanks very much,
Dave

[EvolvedDSM]

I'd go with pedal adjustment first. You may also want to bleed the clutch line. Next on the list would be the pedal assembly--it may be getting worn and need repair/replacement.

[GSXLR8]

could be as simple as adjustment...try and adjust your master cylinder so that it engages further off of the floor.

worst case, bad shift fork (maybe)

[DaveVR4]

Thanks guys. I'm glad to hear the adjustment is a possibility. That will be the first thing I try. The pedal assembly broke last year and was welded at FFI.

Jamie! Hope California's treating you well! Thanks again.

-Dave

[Gunner]

I had a welded pedal assembly break on me, so that's not out of the question. I'd look for a failing hydraulic component or something along those lines. Sounds like a disengagement problem, and I suppose a broken clutch fork isn't out of the realm of possibility either.

[DaveVR4]

Hey, I just discovered that I can downshift from 3rd to 2nd, but still not from 1st to 2nd. Also, downshifting only worked at 20-30 mph or so. I didn't try from anything higher. But it didn't go into gear when I was going under 20. Once it got into 2nd, it drove just fine in gear.

-Dave

[BlackEclipse]

almost sounds like clutch issue


you know you can shift gears without using the clutch...you just have to do it at just the right rpm's...it is usually always at lower rpms for when you can do this without crunching/grinding.....it sounds like you are almost like shifting without using a clutch

[DSM614]

Also, It could be as simple as ANY bolt on the tranny being loose.. most likley the front bolt by the slave or the back bolt above the axle.

If any of mine came loose my car was soo hard to get into gear, sometimes not at all. Now I have lock washer's on the bolts and it's not happened yet. Every gear is smooth again.

I have an RPS PP if that matters.

maybe that's a lil hope for ya.

[DaveVR4]

Thanks for all the replies. I was out of town all last week. I couldn't figure anything out, so I took it to Dennis for Wayne to look at. My clutch was definitely engaging too low. Adjusting it allows for smooth shifting of the other gears, but 2nd is still bad. They determined it was in the tranny, so that's where I'm at on this.

I'm not sure what I want to do about this. Have the transmission repaired (again), buy a rebuilt tranny and swap, sell the car to someone who can fix cars...

-Dave

[DaveVR4]

Got my car back tonight, and except for 2nd gear, it shifts really well after the clutch adjustment. No crunching or grinding in any other gears! After driving a boring (but reliable) rental for a few days, I realized just how much more fun my car is (even w/o 2nd). So, I'm going to get this repaired soon, but I was wondering what you guys recommend.

I'm looking at Shepherd Racing as a shop to do the repair/rebuild. Does that sound like the way to go? I was also looking at TRE's website.

Ok. Thanks. I'll keep doing some research, but I appreciate anyone's advice.

-Dave

[talon guy]

shep +1 :thumb i have heard nothing but good stuff

[Iwishiwascool]

mikey and I both have the shep trans. Its the way to go.

[DaveVR4]

Thanks guys. I just talked to John Shepherd, and I'm getting the work done next week. I'm going with the standard rebuild (plus anything else they find). Have any of you gotten extra options that you recommend? This is the services page with the options listed for the AWD tranny.

http://www.shepracing.com/services.html

thanks,
Dave

[Gunner]

The double synchro 2nd would be a very nice addition.

[DaveVR4]

I just picked up my car from John Shepherd this morning. The rebuilt tranny is AWESOME!!!

The double synchro 2nd is part of the standard AWD rebuild kit that I got, along with the new, custom 2nd gear that he does. Besides the rebuild kit, I also got a new 1st gear (GVR4, of course), 3rd gear, and Torrington bearing upgrade.

He showed me what had failed in my tranny. I had some JDM or aftermarket shift forks that had plastic pads, which broke on the 1-2 fork, giving me the problems in those gears.

I went with Shepherd Racing because I'd heard and read nothing but good things about his work and that he was a very honest, humble, and nice guy. Now that I met him and had him work on my car and tranny, I would highly recommend him for all these reasons.

http://www.shepracing.com/services.html

Thanks again for the replies. Looks likes I'm all set now. :thumb

-Dave