Yet another 2g 5 speed AWD reverse problem

[Mechman518]

Ok guys, I know DSM's are known for grinding and banging gears!! But I just installed a new clutch kit, and now I do not have reverse. I mean I can't move the shifter into reverse. I rechecked everything and made sure all bolts, fluids, lines, cables, and so forth were put together properly. While I had the car on the lift I removed the select and shift cables and tried to put the trans into reverse that way with no avail!! I made sure nothing was in the way of the weight, and I am now clueless!! I put the clutch in because I was having a hard to shift problem, but I am a tech and have been for many years now, so I know when the clutch is faulty. (BTW the clutch was faulty; the spring came out and fell between the PP and disc, thus keeping the clutch engaged.

Before the clutch job I was able to put it into reverse fine, I just had to “rev match” the 2nd – 4th and 5th would grind a bit. Also the trans would not like to downshift at all. But after the clutch the trans shifts great!! It’s real smooth and feels good.. But I just don’t have reverse. It’s like the option isn’t even there. The shifter will not even move a little bit in the direction. Just neutral and 5th on that side, if you pull the shifter toward the rear and over to the pass side you can’t even feel where reverse once was!!!

BTW it's a 95 Talon TSi AWD with a 6 bolt swap.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! This is my DD and I am embarrassed to push it out of the parking spot!!!

 

[96 420a-t]

Do you still have second and fourth?

It is possible that your linkage needs to be adjusted.

When I lost reverse I lost 2nd and 4th as well. It turns out that my linkage housing parted but when looked at it looked fine. Food for thought.

 

[crash89]

Theres no reason you shouldnt be able to get reverse even with the car off. Make sure the bracket that holds the shift cables is tight and secure and adjust your clutch poperly adjusted..

YouTube - Proper Clutch Adjustment

 

[Mechman518]

I know I should have reverse but the shifter will not move into that position even with the engine off. I still have all forward gears and they shift smooth. Like I said I even disconnected the cables and tried to put it into reverse manually with no avail.

 

[Jpanime13]

I'm having the same problem with my 1g a 92 Talon TSI AWD, and I was told that I might be my Trans, So I am having ShepTrans transmissions rebuild mine.

 

[Mechman518]

Yea that’s what I think I may end up doing. I just can’t go a week or so without the vehicle. But I still don’t understand why I had reverse prior to the clutch installation..

Oh and another thing, should I go with shep or jack to rebuild my trans? I looked at both of their websites and it seems that Jacks transmission replaces more components for the same price. My power goals are only going to be about 450-500Awhp. So who builds the better the better trans? I will also need to have the 4 spider gears in the center diff; I want to keep it streetable.

 

[banishedmunk]

when you removed the shifter linkages did you remove them by pulling the clips or pulling the bolts? if you pulled the bolts then you may need to check the shifter bracket as there are centering bushings that position the shifter bracket properly

 

[Mechman518]

I pulled the clips out of the linkage. But even if I pulled the bolts that wouldn't explain why I can't put it into reverse manually, without the linkage installed.

 

[SycloneDriver]

My 93 GSX lost 5th & reverse after I missed 5th real bad.

This is how to fix it, maybe.?

Put the front up on jack stands. Take the passanger side front wheel off and the remove the inner plastic finder. Drain gear lube. Remove the endcap from the tranny. Use a hammer and a punch to remove the pin that holds the shift fork to the shift rail, remove the fork. Test the shifter now, I bet it'll move toward reverse. If the shifter moves correctly now 5th gear syncro is damaged and keeping the shift rail from moving into reverse. If it doesn't move correctly the trouble is deeper inside the trany, bad news trany will have to come out. If it did move correctly keep reading. Remove the gear with the syncro, remove large nut first. Examine the syncro, mine was chewed up preventing it from moving. 5th gear syncro moves when the trany is shifted into reverse. I used a file and cleaned up the syncro, then I turned it over. The syncro is double sided and only one side is used for 5th. Put it back togather. Mine shifted geat after I did this. It's not a hard job, if your not comfortable doing this have someone help you. I'm sure I forgot a few things but this is the basic idea.

Good luck.

 

[Mechman518]

Update on the tranny problem. I wish SycloneDriver would have responded before I did what I did, but the good news is that it worked! I unhooked the shift linkage and held up the selector on the transmission, then I took a hammer and tapped on the weight lightly and it poped into reverse! I put everything back together and it works great! I guess something inside the transmission was a little off, but everything works now. I guess I need to pull the endcap off and still check the inside of the transmission for others problems.

 

[SycloneDriver]

Glad you got it going again.