Cold Weather Shifting Problems

[symple]

My car hates to shift in cold weather. I'll start 'er up and let it warm up for like 5 minutes and then proceed as normal. It doesn't like to go into reverse unless I put it in second and then into reverse. For the first 10 minues while driving around (until it gets completely warmed up I'm assuming) it grinds when I shift from first to second and downshifting to the lower gears isn't even an option without some serious grinding. It only does all this when the temp gets below say... 45 degrees Fahrenheit.


I currently have BG syncroshift and have done the freebie shifter mod. My car has 91,xxx miles on it. I bought it with 68,xxx and haven't done any clutch/tranny work since. The clutch pedal and arm are worn (I can lift up the clutch pedal about 2 inches with my toe between shifts).

Is it just time to take it to the shop and say, "I need a rebuild.?" Or is there something I might be able to do myself?
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Symple

 

[Morphius]

Given the amount of play you have in your pedal, I'd say you have a seriously worn pedal assembly. Best to fix it fast before you cause added disk and syncro wear. Get it welded ASAP. See this thread for pics I posted:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/sho...=&threadid=3266

Fix that first, then see how it shifts. In cold weather, the tranny will always shift "stiff" until the fluid warms up. This may take about 15min for the trans to start to warm up. Depending on ambient temps and traffic conditions, it may take a half hour to reach operating temp on the trans.



-DaimlerChrysler Engineer

 

[symple]

I'll have that assembly check out ASAP. Your link doesn't work for me but I would love to see the pics. If you could post that again I would be greatful.

Thanks for the info!


--Symple

 

[Morphius]

Originally posted by Morphius
Here, try this:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3266

I'll check it after I post to be sure it works.

Hmmm. interesting. I'm not sure why the first link didn't work . The second one looks the same as the first one I posted. Well, the last one works.

 

[symple]

Awesome. I'll take a look at it this afternoon and see if I can't get that assembly out and have it welded somewhere. Thanks again.


-symple

 

[BUCK]

IMO it's more likely the Clutch Actuator piston Assembly - when they die - they die in the Cold - Easy fix - 2 bolts - one plumbing line & a piece of cake to bleed. Check the bolts in BOTH shifter cable brackets - they like to ralltle loose - they need lockwashers & some RTV or Blue Loctite. I see you did the shifter mod - how about a cable adjust?

 

[symple]

Ugh, sorry for the late follow up. I pulled the clutch pedal assemby out the other day. It was worn all to hell. I never thought getting it out of the car would have been such a PITA.

I welded it up according to Morphius's pics and now it's like shifting a completely different car.

My buddy had his digital camera handy, so we took a few pics. I'll see if I can get them posted here in the next couple of days.

Thanks Again,
Symple