Hey guys,

Tonight I took my kids out in my 74 RX-4,and it didn't go so well. While driving I went to downshift from 4th to 3rd in anticipation of an upcoming intersection. I couldn't get the transmission out of 4th no matter how hard I tried pushing. The hydraulics are working as I could feel the car change attitude with pushing,and releasing the clutch pedal. No matter how hard I pushed,or what I did the shifter would not budge from 4th.

I managed to limp it home by hitting intersections that allowed me to take right hand turns,and revving it up pretty good while feathering the clutch.

Anyone ever have this happen? Any thoughts on what may be wrong? I plan on taking the transmission out anyway as it has been making noise,but now I can't even use the car until I do this.

 

It might be the key slipping out of position on the synchro ring. I ran into that problem in my SA a few years back. There's more details in this thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/whats-up-3rd-gear-problem-sa-gearboxes-874183/

 

my first thought would be a faulty or bent shift fork. they always seem to fail at the worst times. all of which require opening the trans

 

I still have nightmares on the FC transmission we tried to rebuild... frakin' snap ring on the reverse syncro breaks so we have to take it apart and somehow the rods got bent when we put it back together. I was so pissed I just junked the tranny.

 

I hear a lot of issues with SA's and 3rd gear. 4th would be on the same "path" so to speak (forgive
my terms, never put the trans back together). Possible weak link in the trans?

 

I had a 79 trans in my REPU for a while. It made noise and would get stuck in 2nd from time to time and then it lost 1st. It seems these trannies are prone to problems.

One trick you could try to pop it out of gear, is to apply negative pressure. In other words go hard against compression and see if you can yank it out of 4th. Kind of worked on my 2nd gear problem.