Transmission sometimes grinds into 1st? |
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Transmission sometimes grinds into 1st? |
Slick914 |
Jul 11 2007, 06:22 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
I have a 74 1.8 and I'm having some trouble with 1st gear. About half of the time it will grind shifting into 1st. I know this is bad for the gears and it's also very embarassing. It seems to help the longer you are stopped, but not always. Does this mean the Synchro band is shot? Are there any easy adjustments I can check first? Just bought the car and know nothing about 914's.
Thanks, Phil |
Hammy |
Jul 11 2007, 06:43 PM
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#2
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mr. Wonderful Group: Members Posts: 1,826 Joined: 20-October 04 From: Columbia, California Member No.: 2,978 Region Association: Northern California |
I have a 74 1.8 and I'm having some trouble with 1st gear. About half of the time it will grind shifting into 1st. I know this is bad for the gears and it's also very embarassing. It seems to help the longer you are stopped, but not always. Does this mean the Synchro band is shot? Are there any easy adjustments I can check first? Just bought the car and know nothing about 914's. Thanks, Phil It's very normal... I don't know if there's a 914 that doesn't. Sometimes it helps to slide it in first on a slow roll before stopping. What I do is put it in 2nd or 3rd before going into 1st. works for me. |
Slick914 |
Jul 11 2007, 06:57 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
I'll try those tips. So this is a normal problem that most people just live with instead of fixing or it can't be fixed?
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orthobiz |
Jul 11 2007, 07:03 PM
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#4
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,754 Joined: 8-January 07 From: Cadillac, Michigan Member No.: 7,438 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
In 1975 I sold a beautiful 1973 V6 Capri and bought a 1971 914. The only thing wrong with the Capri was it needed brakes and tires and back in college, it didn't take much to trigger the sale of any vehicle!
Much to my dismay the 914 ground BIG TIME each and every time I shifted into first. I was totally, incredibly bummed and use a variation of the "shift into another gear" theory. BTW, if your clutch is grabbing when the pedal is fully depressed, you will need to adjust the cable. I just found out today that the 914 has a spring loaded clutch pedal of sorts and you should be able to pull UP on the resting pedal about 1/2" when it's properly adjusted???? Anyway, You can shift into second gear before first but I much prefer "touching" third gear to prevent grinding into first. Just bring the shift left in neutral to the spring loaded point where the shifter will go down into third. Then, go down into third a bit, maybe two inches, go back up to neutral, move left over the stiff first gear spring and down into first. Depending upon your car, you may have to go more or less into third gear to stop the grind. Typically I have not had to go all the way down into third to stop grinding. My new car doesn't seem to grind but I've become so habituated into this routine that I got right back into it as soon as I got it (after not driving a 914 since 1986!). Also, check the shift bushings; if they are worn sloppy shifting won't help first gear engagement. Obviously, YMMV but best of luck! Paul |
1970 Neun vierzehn |
Jul 11 2007, 07:08 PM
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#5
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,199 Joined: 16-March 06 From: cincinnati, ohio Member No.: 5,727 |
Phil,
It could be as simple as replacing the shift rod bushings. Besides eliminating the 1st gear grinding, new bushings make gear selection easier and more positive. Or maybe the syncro is shot..... Or maybe the clutch has gone south.. How's the clutch cable/pulley assembly at the rear of the car, by the tranny look? Paul |
Porsche Rescue |
Jul 11 2007, 07:13 PM
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#6
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Saving and Enjoying Old Porsches Group: Members Posts: 2,978 Joined: 31-December 02 From: Bend, Oregon Member No.: 64 Region Association: None |
It may be common to grind into first but it is not "natural" to the car.
First, adjust the clutch cable. As mentioned above it should have about 3/4" of slack at the top when you pull the pedal up with your hand. There could be other clutch tube/cable problems, but start with the correct adjustment. Then look at the cup bushing back at the tranny, under the plastic cover on the side and the plastic ring bushing also visible under the cover. Last, adjust the shift linkage. The Haynes manual describes the process for all of the above. If you have a 914 and don't have a Haynes manual, start by buying it. |
Dr Evil |
Jul 11 2007, 08:01 PM
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#7
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 22,995 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Phil, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
The answer is that it depends. Its hard to tell if yours is normal or worse. Check my link for tranny rebuilds in my sig line below for some things to look at and some links on how to change the 1st gear synchro. My advise is to make sure that everything is good and if it is change the synchro band. They are the cheapest part of the system and the first to degrade and give symptoms. If people listen to those symptoms then the repair is cheap and easy, if not the cost of the parts alone is $700+ (slider, teeth, band). |
Slick914 |
Jul 11 2007, 08:30 PM
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
Thanks for all the helpful tips. I do have a couple repair manuals, so I'll try to locate all that has been mentioned and see if it's something simple. It seems like the clutch disengages when the pedal is almost all the way to the floor, but I wasn't familiar with the car so didn't know if it is normal or not.
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VaccaRabite |
Jul 11 2007, 08:46 PM
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#9
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En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,443 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Have you tried double clutching or rev-matching when going into first from a higher gear? With a modern tranny, its kind of a lost art (although rev matching will make your synchros last longer).
Or are you talking about grinding into first from a dead stop? Zach |
Slick914 |
Jul 11 2007, 08:52 PM
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
Have you tried double clutching or rev-matching when going into first from a higher gear? With a modern tranny, its kind of a lost art (although rev matching will make your synchros last longer). Or are you talking about grinding into first from a dead stop? Zach I'm talking about from a dead stop at a stop sign or traffic light. If the car is rolling at all I start in 2nd gear to avoid the possible grind. |
Dr Evil |
Jul 11 2007, 09:01 PM
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#11
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 22,995 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Your clutch sounds like it is too loose. Perhaps if you tighten the cable it will shift better. I would also see if your clutch tube is still in place or if it is flexing with the cable.
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Slick914 |
Jul 11 2007, 09:25 PM
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#12
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
I'll check out the clutch cable/tube tomorrow. I just ran out and pulled on the pedal, it pulled back about an inch. Didn't seem too sloppy, but maybe a little tightening is all it needs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hands.gif)
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Dr Evil |
Jul 11 2007, 10:21 PM
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#13
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 22,995 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Your clutch should disengage in the first 1/3 of pedal travel, not the last bit. I hope it is an easy fix too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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Slick914 |
Jul 12 2007, 05:59 PM
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#14
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Member Group: Members Posts: 236 Joined: 10-June 07 From: Lorain, OH Member No.: 7,802 |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif)
All it needed was the clutch cable adjusted!!! The car shifts absolutely 200 times better!!! Here I thought it was just a tricky trans to get used to, but the darn clutch wasn't disengaging completely. I took it for a test drive and I can now bang through the gears like nothing, where before I had to fight a little to get each gear. I'm so happy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) I can drive this thing like a sports car now! Thanks for the help everyone! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) I can tell this is a great forum that doesn't mind helping the newbie out. Some forums would of thought they were too good to help out with a simple problem. Anyways, thanks again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) |
Hammy |
Jul 12 2007, 06:34 PM
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#15
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mr. Wonderful Group: Members Posts: 1,826 Joined: 20-October 04 From: Columbia, California Member No.: 2,978 Region Association: Northern California |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mueba.gif) All it needed was the clutch cable adjusted!!! The car shifts absolutely 200 times better!!! Here I thought it was just a tricky trans to get used to, but the darn clutch wasn't disengaging completely. I took it for a test drive and I can now bang through the gears like nothing, where before I had to fight a little to get each gear. I'm so happy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) I can drive this thing like a sports car now! Thanks for the help everyone! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) I can tell this is a great forum that doesn't mind helping the newbie out. Some forums would of thought they were too good to help out with a simple problem. Anyways, thanks again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif) That's great. I shoulda remembered to mention it might be your clutch cable |
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