AWD Trans Troubles

[i r teh winnar]

***Well I have to post in the 'Newbie Forum' even though I've been a member for going on three years? If a mod sees this would it be possible to move it to the 'Drivetrain Tech Fourm' please? I feel like I might get a limited audience in this forum.***


BACKGROUND
Trans was rebuilt with stock parts around 11,000 miles ago, give or take. No-Name Short Shifter, Underhood Bushings, In-Car Bushings, ACT 2600, SBR Street/Strip Disc.


PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
Recently I have run into a VERY annoying problem (and go figure it comes up as I am about to sell the car this weekend). As of yesterday my 1st will pop out when I try taking off and as of this past Saturday my 3rd gear is a HUGE pain to get to engage.

All gears go in just fine, no abnormal grinds going in but 1st will pop out pretty roughly, so I will put it into Neutral and then back into 1st and hold it forward really hard and let out really easy on the car, avoiding as much load as possible. Or I have just started in 2nd.


The 3rd gear thing is what frustrates me the most. I cannot figure it out. I can get it into the 3rd gear slot fine but if I just throw it into gear (or so I think) and let out on the clutch absolutely nothing happens.
So I then pull it back to Neutral and push extremely hard into 3rd and rev to about 2,000 and let out on the clutch very slow, I can actually hear the gear catch. But when that doesn't happen it makes the most gut-wrenching grind ever. It make me want to cry.


Yesterday I adjusted the shifter cables as I thought that might be a part of the problem. Nothing was any better. In fact, 1st became worse. (I think I might have adjusted the arm too far to the right)

Last night I thought, 'well maybe the trans fluid is low and I haven't changed it in about 5k so it could probably use it'. So I drained it and maybe only a quart and a half came out. Great. Maybe that was the problem! So I threw in some Dia Queen SAE 90 (expensive) and called it a night.

To my dismay, I put the car into 1st to make it up the driveway and it immediately popped out. 3rd gear is still a huge PITA to engage. The thing that throws me most is the fact that once I get the gears to engage, they don't pop out. I've sat at 2,000 RPM multiple times in 3rd gear and rolled into the throttle very heavily 3rd will hold the whole time. I can't just easly pop the gear out either. I have to clutch to disengage it.




DESPERATE PLEA FOR HELP/GRATITUDE

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, especially if it consists of a diagnosis and/or solution! Thanks for reading my short story.​

 

[yokotabrat]

Have you checked the shift cable mount on top of the transmission? Make sure that is attached securely and isn't flopping around. Also look at the cables and make sure they are in good condition on the tranmission end.

 

[i r teh winnar]

Have you checked the shift cable mount on top of the transmission? Make sure that is attached securely and isn't flopping around. Also look at the cables and make sure they are in good condition on the tranmission end.

The mount is secure on the bell housing and the cables look fine. One of the E-Clips was missing but I Jimmy-rigged it with a paper clip until I can find another. The popping in 1st and grinding in 3rd is still happening.

It is driving me nuts. Another thing I did notice today is that when I finally found 3rd and got it to stick a little bit I could hear it engaging; it made noise all the way up to when I let completely off the clutch.


PUHLEEEASE help a brother out!!

 

[b-morr]

Sounds like your trans is going out man. I've had friends that had those symptoms and it always ended in a blown tranny.

 

[MadScientist92]

Your synchros are probably goin out. Change the fluid sheck all connections. How bad have you been abusing it? There might be an issue there

 

[STM tuned]

If you put it into first and start accelerating, will it stay in first gear on its own until you let off the gas?

-Brian
Street Tuned Motorsports.com - Rochester NY