Transaxle question, First gear pops out,why? Options

[Trekkor]

I can get all of the other gears.

I don't really need 1st, it's just a bit of a pain to get the car up on the trailer.

What part(s) typically wear out causing the 1st gear problem. It grinds like it is not fully engaging.

I hear this can be repaired by removing the works out of the back of the car with the trans housing still in the car.

Any ideas or experiences?

thanks, KT (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap56.gif)

( I took apart a spare trans today to do a peek-a-boo ) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/cool_shades.gif)

[bondo]

Make darn sure it's fully engaging before you open up the trans. If it's not getting all the way into first, it WILL pop out, no matter how pointy your sliders/dog teeth are.

With the car running in neutral, clutch out:

Carefully move the shifter towards each gear (except reverse) and note how far away each is from the neutral plane. They should all be about the same, and if first is farther from the plane, your reverse/1st shift fork may have slipped on it's shaft.

**EDIT** when you're moving the shifter around with the engine running and clutch out, just move it until you start feeling some resistance. If you get grinding before you feel ANY resistance, that syncro is beyond toast. If you push too hard or for too long you'll wear out the syncros, so be gentle. **END EDIT**

If that checks out:

Completely remove your linkage, and manually shift the trans into first. Then drive it around and try and get it to pop out. If it won't pop out the problem is linkage related. If it still pops out, open the trans.

This post has been edited by bondo: Feb 7 2006, 08:22 PM