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Can't shift transmission while car is off or on

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aschiffstl

Probationary Member
17
0
Dec 29, 2013
St. Louis, Missouri
So, here's the story. My transmission was bad since I bought the car, but I drove it till the thing practically stopped driving. Anyway, I bought a used transmission and when I went to pick it up, I checked everything out and it seemed to shift fine etc. I swapped the transmissions and it doesnt seem to want to go into gear. 1st-5th is really finiky and reverse is almost impossible to get into. I havent adjusted the clutch because I dont know how to on a 1g.
I have a 1gb awd 5-speed with an ACT 6-puck clutch and stock flywheel.
 
I don't think the pivot ball is the issue. It looked fine when I had the trans out and it is in the center.
 
It could be
1. Intermediate shaft bearing.
2. the placement of the Shifting cables
3. Master cylinder or throw out bearing.
The reason I think it might be the intermediate shaft bearing is because (correct me if I'm wrong ) the fifth and first gear share the same shaft. Let me know and I'll do the best I can to help you
 
If you take off the linkage at the transmission can you manually shift the levers on the tranny? If you can I would say it's most likely something wrong with the shift linkage cables. But if you can't, something would have to be wrong inside the transmission.
 
It could be
1. Intermediate shaft bearing.
2. the placement of the Shifting cables
3. Master cylinder or throw out bearing.
The reason I think it might be the intermediate shaft bearing is because (correct me if I'm wrong ) the fifth and first gear share the same shaft. Let me know and I'll do the best I can to help you
The TOB is new. I replaced it when I had the transmission out. I know the master cyl needs replacing, but I didn't think that would cause my issue. I checked out the trans when I bought it and it seemed, good so I don't know if it's the intemediate shaft.
 
If you take off the linkage at the transmission can you manually shift the levers on the tranny? If you can I would say it's most likely something wrong with the shift linkage cables. But if you can't, something would have to be wrong inside the transmission.
It still feels messed up with the linkages off. But I did the same test before I put the transmission in and it felt fine.
 
Without taking the transmission out just remove the Cap where the fifth gear is and see if there's any play in that shaft
 
Without taking the transmission out just remove the Cap where the fifth gear is and see if there's any play in that shaft
I was hoping nobody was going to say that. I just put $50 worth of trans fluid in it and I don't want to waste it. I am thinking that the end-nut might be loose, which could cause my problem.
 
You can save that fluid so drain it in a clean pan and hope it doesn't have metal shavings in it. My end nut came loose and broke my end case and in my situation its a 90 model which is hard to find BUT Jacks had one....back then, not now. It is very easy to take it off and goes back together with RTV. I would look at it if I were you before something even more drastic happens and if its good to go just put the fluid back in it.
 
I wouldn't be afraid to salvage the fresh oil but I would:

Get a squeaky clean pan, drain the oil and while its draining make sure the stream runs across a magnet. Make sure their is no debris in the oil and make sure it still looks new, run it thru a paint filter if needed, and make sure the oil is in a sealed container so debris cannot fall into the oil while you make your repair.

And rtv is not what I would recommend as the excess will setup inside the case and can clog oil passages. Especially don't use it on oil pans. Ive seen oil pickup screens almost completely clogged with rtv. To do it right you need an anaerobic sealant like Loctite 515,517,518 to name a few. The Loctite sealants are more expensive but on precision machined flanges you don't need much.
 
Not trying to make something out of nothing but Mitsubihi uses Mitsu Bond on the transmission case halves to put them together just like Jacks did mine. RTV is what it basically is. I have used Permatex on my 90 case and had no debris or leftover RTV to clog anything, BUT, don't use a whole tube of it just put it on the mating surfaces and put it together and let it dry and you will be fine. On the end case there isn't any passages to clog, just don't hog the stuff on there. If I hadn't done it with success, I wouldn't be recommending it to anyone else. Just MTC.
 
I've sealed dozens of cases also with mitsubishi oem and permatex. It's rtv. The only clogs I've seen are from overuse of product. OP if you want to check the play on the shafts open it up. I would recommend bolting the bearing plate back down with some washers or you may be seeing play that really isn't there because the bearing plate isn't bolted down because you have no end case
The first thing I would do is adjust the clutch. Ignore what the car does while off for now. I don't understand why so many people use this as a guide to trans health/shifting ability. Your root cause sounds like clutch. At least rule that out
Start it in first with clutch in. Does it move?
Can you Rev it up and check for clutch drag?
 
I agree with pauleyman, ive witnessed a similiar issue multiple times and the culprit was the clutch needing adjustment. Hopefully thats the case, much less expensive of a fix, good luck mate
 
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