Tom Deutsch

OK, I've been driving manuals for a long time but never encountered this.
On my (new to me) 85 GS, it shifts ok when cold and once it is warm. But if I go on the highway, staying in fifth for 10-20 minutes, then it is more difficult to get it out of and into gears. Out of second and into third is especially tough.
Also should tell you that the bearings are making some noise - I'm going to replace those and the clutch soon. I have recently replaced all fluids and have not noticed leaks.
Is this related to the bearings?
Bad syncros? Time for a rebuild?
Too cheap gear oil?

Anyone else ever experienced this problem?

82transam

iTrader: (18)

I have noticed this a few times, espeically in the summer, I wonder if the heat is making the oil thin out too much or something. In my case at least its a very minor problem and only happens every so often so I never gave it much thought... I'm interested to see what the others say.

djessence

I had that happen (not of my 7) right before my clutch disentegrated. Itd be fine on start up, fine for like first 5 minutes then you would barely be able to get it in/out of gear. Then a peice of clutch broke off and jammed in there and i couldnt shift at all with the clutch(its surprisingly difficult to power shift into first when the car isnt moving).

How old is the clutch or do you know?

What kind of tranny oil are you running?

It wouldnt be bad synchros unless you are grinding the gears (im pretty sure).

Could be crappy fluid, for the 40 dollars to change it you should get some high end royal purple or something of similar quality

Jeff20B

iTrader: (13)

How thin was your disc? Did it look a lot thinner than a new one?

Tom Deutsch

They aren't grinding. You're right, that sounds like clutch (or lack thereof) not syncros.
Wrong conclusion anyone? Why does it happen just when hot?

rearviewmirror

Change the oil! It's most likely that at the cooler temp the trans is happy, when the oil heats up it thins out causing the notchy shifting. I bought a used GSL-SE, it didn't shift all that smoothly, I put some Mobil1 75W-90 in and it shifts smooth as butter. Once you change the fluid let us know how it works.

Kentetsu

While it is acting up, try "pumping up" the pedal and see if it is any easier to shift... Post back with results.

djessence

It was definetly thinner. Alot? mm hard to say (this was like september) but it was definetly worn down a fair amount.

And sorry my clutch plate didnt disentegrate itself, a spring broke and then gouged and destroyed it. But it was super hard to shift pre the spring breaking, and then it broke.

Tom Deutsch

Well, this wasn't exactly a scientific investigation, but I wanted to report back with the results. Finished the clutch job last week. Put in a new pilot bearing (actually there wasn't one in there to begin with!) and all the other clutch stuff. The new "daikin" stock clutch is slightly stiffer than the old stock clutch that was on there, but completely livable. Nice light low smooth grab.
As for the hard shifting problem, it disappeared with new gear oil. I put in Mobil 1 75-90. As I test drove it, I could still hear some odd "scraping" or metallic "whirring" noises after I would use the higher gears (even in neutral). So I drained maybe a pint of oil and replaced it with some gooey Lucas 90-140 (with the picture of the semi on the bottle). Oh, also a couple swigs of Marvel's Mystery Oil. What was my thinking? My theory? Who knows?! That's like asking why did I put some basil in the chili. Either way, the noise stopped and it's smooth as butter now. I am SO glad I am not looking at an immediate gearbox rebuild!

Kentetsu

I've always been happily surprised by the Lucas products. They actually seem to do what they claim on the label. What's the world coming to?

keithscuba

Ok old post - but my recent experience - I put in 85w-140 mineral gear oil and now a slick easy gear change -even reverse-.With the SAE 90 as recc I always had probs when hot. I also tried the ATF/90 mix- 50/50 but was much too thin -this is on my manual transmission.UK based so varying weather -its summer now -no experience on minus temps in winter.