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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rs899 on April 19, 2011, 04:38:36 pm

Title: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: rs899 on April 19, 2011, 04:38:36 pm
My '91 with a new-to-me ACN (or is it an  ACH?) grinds going into 3rd unless I have the pedal all the way on the floor as I move the shifter.

I know the gate adjustment is a bit off because I really have to shove it to the left to get to first.  I hate screwing with the adjustment (the bushings are all good- been there done that).

Is my problem with 3rd gate adjustment related, or is it just in the tranny?

Your thoughts?

Rick
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: maxfax on April 19, 2011, 07:11:26 pm
Does it grind when sitting still with the engine running??? Say if you rev the engine, jam in the clutch and hit third quickly?
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: Quantum TD on April 19, 2011, 09:49:50 pm
Third gear syncros are not common failures. 2nd gear usually takes the real beating. I'd adjust the linkage. Try slower shifts. If neither of those work, live with it or replace the trans (again).

Can't be worse than the AWY you replaced.
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: maxfax on April 19, 2011, 09:53:50 pm
What I'm thinking is kinda interesting is that I have an ACH that acts the same darned way..  It will grind during the procedure I mentioned above which is leading me to think my syncro ring is shot...
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: rs899 on April 20, 2011, 08:22:56 am
Quote
Can't be worse than the AWY you replaced.

It wasn't an AWY that was replaced...the PO already figured that dog wouldn't hunt...

I can't shift much slower through 2-3 as it is...but if I don't have my foot on the floor for half a second it grinds.  Never grinds in the 4 or 5 downshift into 3rd....

OK- I will try playing with the linkage.  I have so much colored paint on there (witness marks) I will have to buy a gallon of stripper first....  

This beast has an auto adjust clutch cable on it, yet.  Might it help to ditch that and go with a manual adjust cable ( I was going to get around to that anyway)?
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: maxfax on April 20, 2011, 12:07:31 pm
This beast has an auto adjust clutch cable on it, yet.  Might it help to ditch that and go with a manual adjust cable ( I was going to get around to that anyway)?

I thought later about asking if you still had the auto adjust cable or not.. Might be the next step after cussing at the linkage....
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: Quantum TD on April 20, 2011, 12:16:26 pm
Yeah. Ditch the auto-adjust. They're great when they're working, but I've seen them fail quite often. I'd start there. At least you'd be able to rule out incomplete clutch disengagement.

Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: the caveman on April 20, 2011, 12:52:20 pm
It's not the clutch if it goes into reverse and first. Get someone to help and do this- while looking under the hood at the linkage have someone go through the gears and then determine where 3 rd is. The lever that attaches directly to the trans , the one with a bushing at the top and a ball at the bottom will be straight up and down, when it's in the 3rd/4th gate. Have them press the clutch while you move the lever towards the trans[ into ] and outwards [away from] the trans and see[ well, listen actually] if it goes into gear easily. This will determine if it's the linkage or internal. I'd say it's a 90% chance there is something with the linkage or it's adjustment. Even better, disconnect the linkage as far to the trans as possible and do it again. That way you'll take the linkage out of the equation.
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on April 20, 2011, 01:16:24 pm
It's not the clutch if it goes into reverse and first. Get someone to help and do this- while looking under the hood at the linkage have someone go through the gears and then determine where 3 rd is. The lever that attaches directly to the trans , the one with a bushing at the top and a ball at the bottom will be straight up and down, when it's in the 3rd/4th gate. Have them press the clutch while you move the lever towards the trans[ into ] and outwards [away from] the trans and see[ well, listen actually] if it goes into gear easily. This will determine if it's the linkage or internal. I'd say it's a 90% chance there is something with the linkage or it's adjustment. Even better, disconnect the linkage as far to the trans as possible and do it again. That way you'll take the linkage out of the equation.

yup, good point..
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: 8v-of-fury on April 24, 2011, 04:17:06 pm
Have you tried double clutching?
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: BigVWman on April 24, 2011, 07:11:04 pm
If after it's all adjusted it still grinds, try changing fluid for synchromesh. It's not the recommended fluid but has helped a couple troublesome ones i have had.
Title: Re: Grinds in 3rd
Post by: rs899 on April 27, 2011, 04:08:25 pm
It already has Redline MTL in it.  It's in sickbay for the moment, awaiting better tires.  Driving the old '82 caddy to work...