Problems shifting, First is gone and Third is going

[initialRES]

I have been searching all night and I think I have finally figured out the problem that I have been dealing with for over a year. Basically, my first gear has been useless without first shifting into second gear. Well recently, third has started to do the same thing. It is very notchy when I try to shift from second to third, even at low RPM. I thought my tranny was on its way out, but I have been reading that maybe I could shim the pivot ball and that may solve the problem.

My question is this:

Is it possible to shim the pivot ball without dropping the tranny on a 1998 GSX? I know the clutch fork hole is small but if it is possible, then I would be able to find out if it just needs to be shimmed or if the whole tranny is done.

Second question:

Last time I replaced the clutch (about 5 months ago. Put in a stage 1 Comp 6 puck clutch) I reused my original clutch fork and pivot ball. I greased both up but I noticed that when I snapped the fork on, that there was some play on the pivot ball once it was connected. I could tug on it and it would move on the pivot ball. At the time, I thought this was normal but now I am thinking that it may be the root of all my problems. Should there be any play or should the fork and ball be very tight? By the way, the fork and pivot ball have almost 100K miles on them.


Sorry for the relatively simple question, I just couldn't find any answers to these specific questions.

 

[sadsm]

I had that problem and it was my shifter cable where it hooks up to the tranny. Make sure the rubber boot on the cable near the tranny is not cut. Hope that is what it is, because the cables are cheaper than a tranny.