My car refuses to shift into 2 gear, I have no clue were to start Options

[weird_looking_cactus]

When I had the car running and was able to drive it the car, it would not shift into second gear. It had a pushing filling on it when I would try to go into that gear. Also even though I have the clutch all the way in and changing gears like from reverse to first it would make a big grinding noise but only once in a while. So Im thinking I need to tighten my cable to stop the grinding noise. But I have no clue about how to fix second gear. My car is a 1975 2.0 with side shifter. Thanks for those who help.

[ein 6er]

MAN!! sound like you've been having a hard time!!

i'm no expert. that said ..... have you checked your shift rod bushings? worn bushings and the clutch not fully engaging can make gettin gears really hard. have you changed the gear lube?

don't get discourged!!

doug

[Jake Raby]

if all else fails crawl underneath and engage it manually, with the linkage popped loose. If it goes in, the problem is shifter/linkage. If it still won't you have a gearbox issue.

[lagunero]

I agree with ein 6er regarding the bushings. I needed to replace the firewall bushing since it was shot (and hoping it would solve the thumping noise). I car shifted quite nicely before the change. Well the shift coupler needed replacing but I didn't have it.

Now I can't shift into 2nd or 3rd! I guess the new bushing finished off the old coupler one. After replacing the coupler bushing it now shifts like before all the changes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[SirAndy]

a couple of things ...

like jake said, take the linkage off the tranny and try by hand first.
if you can get in second, suspect the linkage/bushings/shifter.

make sure the linkage doesn't have any obvious bends.
replace the bushings if you have slopp.

as for the crunch, this is going to be a bit tricky.
before you tighten the clutch cable, you need to check
if your clutch tube inside the center tunnel has come loose.
that happens a lot and if so, adjusting the cable will simply make it worse!
to check, remove the 3 screws from the shifter plate and rotate the shifter plate 90 deg so you can get inside the center tunnel with your hand.
the clutch tube is to your left, drivers side. grab it and see if it moves.
if yes, you need to weld it back onto the tunnel. search this board, brad had a post with pictures explaining the procedure.

Andy

[rhodyguy]

before you tear the whole thing apart... there should be a big plastic cover over the point where the rod meets the transmision. lift it up and away. there is a round bushing p.89, fig 5.27, #25. make sure this part is in good condition. part # 24 should not rattle around. with a good bushing #24 goes on somewhat hard. does your trans engage in every gear except 2? do a search and look for a "shifter adjustment" thread by redbeard at pelican. you're making progress with your car. don't give up yet!!! look at the money you have saved by asking questions here. 5-6 six hundred for a set of used carbs is not a good deal. before you commit, ask the mechanic if you will need to change the fuel pump. he had better say "yes".

kevin

[ein 6er]

yep, forgot about the clutch tube.

if you replace the shift bushings, also replace the 2 inside the shifter housing that the lever sits in. i'm told they are only available from porsche. i can find the part # if you want. and while you are in there a new reverse lockout plate and the weltmeister heavy duty springs. i think there is a tech article on PP that explaines the spring replacement.

good luck!!

doug

[Eric Taylor]

Just to clarify, you can put it into 1st and reverse, and move the car correct?
Eric

[weird_looking_cactus]

Yes it goes into all the gears but second.

[Bleyseng]

Have you looked inside the rear cover at the shifter bushings? You can undo the shifter cup and then shift the car into all the gears-1st/rev-2nd/3rd-4th/5th try it to see if this works.

[rhodyguy]

the 2 bushings that cradle the shift lever ball are available. i think i got some at pelican. i hated the weltmeister hd springs.

kevin

[weird_looking_cactus]

before you tear the whole thing apart... there should be a big plastic cover over the point where the rod meets the transmision. lift it up and away. there is a round bushing p.89, fig 5.27, #25. make sure this part is in good condition. part # 24 should not rattle around. with a good bushing #24 goes on somewhat hard.

I have check all this out and everything seems to get good. Now Im still lost on how I can change all the gears by hand. Can I get some more page numbers or pictures on what the shifter cup is what linkages your guys are talking about and the bushings that might be the problem. Thanks

[GWN7]

page 90 Haynes shows it all

[weird_looking_cactus]

Ok here is what it looks like when Im trying to stick it into second gear. I try to twist and turn it to find second gear but I couldn't. It trying to push it up more but it won't go up. I can't make it go up more ether by hand. So if its the gear box how do I procced to fixing it. Will it be to hard to fix and should bring it to my mechanic or is it worth fixing. Also were do I put gear grease at. Thanks.

[weird_looking_cactus]

Pic 2

[weird_looking_cactus]

If someone can post a picture of what second gear looks like that would be great. Then I can try and match it up. Cause Im not sure whats its trying to do when I try and put it into second gear. By the way mine is a 1975 with side shifter.

[SirAndy]

hey cactus, is that you? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[weird_looking_cactus]

Thanks sirandy for the picture but its not really helping me out with my second gear problem

[Brad Roberts]

Did you adjust anything in the shift linkage ? Like near the shifter ?


B

[SirAndy]

Thanks sirandy for the picture but its not really helping me out with my second gear problem

i know, i know, i just thought it was funny and all ...

do a google search on \"weird_looking_cactus\" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif) Andy