first gear, it is a bitch sometimes Options

[johnpierre]

hey everyone

is it just me or does any one else have a difficult time selecting first gear when the car is at a stand still. if the stop permits, i.e. a stop sign, or a traffic light that is just about to go green and i am rolling i can put it in 1st no prob, but if i am at a stop light with other car and waiting a while, in neutral and try to engage 1st gear it does not seem to want to move in to place with any kind of ease. it is really bumming me out. makes me feel like a 16 year old just learning how to drive.
the trans and gear shifting is tight and without issue, so i don't thing there is a issue mechanically, but am i missing something or is this just a characteristic of this 914 transmission. i have already done to much "if (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif) you can't find it, grind it."

[hot_shoe914]

hey everyone

is it just me or does any one else have a difficult time selecting first gear when the car is at a stand still. if the stop permits, i.e. a stop sign, or a traffic light that is just about to go green and i am rolling i can put it in 1st no prob, but if i am at a stop light with other car and waiting a while, in neutral and try to engage 1st gear it does not seem to want to move in to place with any kind of ease. it is really bumming me out. makes me feel like a 16 year old just learning how to drive.
the trans and gear shifting is tight and without issue, so i don't thing there is a issue mechanically, but am i missing something or is this just a characteristic of this 914 transmission. i have already done to much "if (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hissyfit.gif) you can't find it, grind it."

Treat her gentle, sometimes it is not easy but be patient.

[blitZ]

When I slow to a stop, I downshift to 3rd. When completely stopped, I put it in first and stay there until ready to proceed. Leaving in neutral at a stop is fine for modern cars, 914s not so much.

[partwerks]

Mine does that to. I put it in a different gear before stopping, or a different gear at stand still and then try it, or, let the clutch out and try it again. Sometimes it goes in like hot butter though. Must be how things happen to line up?

[Bob L.]

I remember driving an MG Midget, Was told that since there were no synchros, I should shift to 2nd then 1st. I was told it would line things up.
It seemed to work.

Could it be Synchros?

Edit addition: Since 1st and reverse are in the same "plane" in our gear boxes, going into Reverse then 1st may work

[ndfrigi]

Hi, my 1st gear is not working since I got my teen (75 1.8 FI) but 2nd gear works fine since I only drive in flat road and same thing with your issue, if I have a full stop and stay with neutral, sometimes it's hard to put my gear to 2nd gear. So what I do is to make sure I shift to 2nd gear before I will have a full stop.

[Elliot Cannon]

Mine did the same thing 'till I adjusted the idle a bit lower. After reducing the idle it went into 1st much easier.

[steuspeed]

Synchros are gone. you need to slip it into 1st just before you roll to a stop. If I'm out of gear at a stop sometimes I will slip the clutch a little going toward reverse, then it will drop right in first. Make sure you are running old style gear oil type GL5 hypoid. Carqwest sells it by the gallon. New synthetic and limeted slip blends will make your problem worse.

[euro911]

Could be any number of things, JP.

I agree with Elliot ... idle speed should be between 850~950 RPM. Start there and see if that helps.

What year is your car? Early cars typically have tail-shifter transmissions that are a little worse than side-shifter models. With either type, worn shift rod bushings can cause the condition. Tail-shifters use three bushings, side shifters only two. Check their condition.

You may need a clutch adjustment cable tension - possibly not fully disengaging. The shift linkage may also need an adjustment, which would need to be done after replacing any bushings anyway.

Those are the easy check and fix items. If they don't help, then more serious issues may need to be looked into: transmission synchro(s) could be bad, which would facilitate a rebuild (or partial rebuild).

[rhodyguy]

does it do the same (grind, hard to engage) when you try reverse at idle? first try putting it in 2nd while you're coming from neutral at a light, then 1st. i don't sit at lights with the car in gear and the clutch disengaged.

k

[Eric_Shea]

Mine does the exact same thing with brand new syncros, brand new everything.

I think the lube I'm using is too slick. If you clutch it "just a tad" it will move the syncros enough to re-engage. Or, do as suggested and slip it into first before a complete stop and leave it there. With moving components, it slides right in.

[bandjoey]

Stop in second then to first. Works for me.

[Dr Evil]

It should not do that. Adjustment of external stuff is first to trouble shoot.

[dirk9141973]

It should not do that. Adjustment of external stuff is first to trouble shoot.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) Dr. What do you suggest ? I was it you build in Dublin and everything works Great but dropping into 1st from stop is mystery what ever you can offer?

[Dr Evil]

Same advise, check your external linkage and stuff. Also, if you got a new synchro band, this is how it is for several thousand miles.

[Jamie]

I had the same issues with my 73, until the trip when the tranny self-destructed flying up an Interstate about 75MPH. Later found that a first gear synchro thrust block was floating around inside the housing, became wedged between a gear ring and the tranny housing, and blew a hole through the mag housing. Can you say big bucks for a rebuild, but now 1st shifts into gear just fine, even while moving!

[Dr Evil]

Too bad about the "big bucks" build. I would get you a core and rebuild it for way cheaper than other places (they are crazy). However, it is done, in your car, and works and that is very much worth it.

[Jamie]

I'm just curious if a rebuild for $3409 is in your ballpark price range Dr. Evil? Of course there will be a price difference because my guy did the removal/reinstall and adjust that would not be covered in shipping a tranny to you and back.

[Dr Evil]

Holy shit, for that kind of cheddar I would paint it and get you silver nuts. Core is $75-125, rebuild labor is $500, parts about $500, total about $1200 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[euro911]

Yeah, hate to say it, but even with the R&R, $3k is absurd.