shifting problem!!! help please, just installed clutch

[Maniacmav]

Everything was working fine before the clutch install, well besides the clutch, it had started slipping. I did everything by the book, all torque specs and fallowed the vfaq write up. Now everything is back together and it will NOT go into 1st gear. I've adjusted the master clyinder rod both ways with no luck. All the way out is better than in. When I get about halfway on the rod the car just moves when i try to put it in any gear. With it all the way out, it goes into every gear great except 1st. they tranny shifts so smooth. What could this problem be? Could the slave cylinder cause this? I didn't bleed it but I tied it up good so it didn't lose any fluid. Please help. I'm at a loss.

btw the flywheel is stepped correctly and the clutch is a fidanza.

 

[Maniacmav]

oh and when I say it won't go into 1st, I mean that it feels like it goes into gear but when I release the clutch it just grinds a little but won't go. Is there maybe a linkage problem?

 

[guitarhero14]

I just installed a clutch in my car last week. I had a problem of not getting it into gear. I just bleed the clutch system and now it works like a dream. You really should try bleeding it, just in case.

 

[Maniacmav]

do you just bleed the slave? and how do you bleed the master, if you can anyway. I know how to bleed the slave, i just did my brother's 3g eclipse's slave cylinder.

 

[liquidnote]

I just went through the same problem and just finished fixing it today. Let me explain I recently installed a fidanza fly wheel and act 2900 on my 1g. The install went perfect but i had the same problem i could not get it into gear and when i was able too it was very hard to do, Also while holding the clutch down if I reved it up the car would slightly move.

Here Is what i did.

I replaced both master and slave cylinder and adjusted the master rod cylinder till there was only 4 threads showing from the back part of the bracket. Then i bled the system ( if your master and slave are ok this is probably the only thing you have to do)

You just cant open and close the valve while your buddy is holding the pedal down for you.

You need a hose on the bleeder valve ( small vacuum hose will work just make sure it fits snug and wont come off the bleeder valve) and a bottle with fluid at the other end of the hose. This way when you do bleed the clutch no air gets sucked back in . after a few bleeds and adjusting the master rod again my clutch was able to disengage all the way and it felt better then ever.

heres a link http://www.plymouthlaser.com/slave2.htm he is replacing a slave cylinder but uses the hose and bottle method i told you about. Also get a hold of Oldman hes a mod here and was the one who helped me out and can explain it better then i can.

Good luck

 

[Maniacmav]

just bled the system. no luck. still have the problem, it's ONLY 1st gear. before i dropped the tranny it was the smoothest shifting trans i've ever shifted. All my friends loved the how smooth the transmission was. I put the clutch in and everything went perfect, now first will not go in gear, with car off or on, clutch pressed or not. You can move the shifter to the 1st gear position and push the car and you hear the grinding and you can see the shift linkage on the tranny jump (the linkage that is on it's side.)

 

[Maniacmav]

So do I have a linkage problem? or is it internally and if it is internally then HOW could that happen with just changing a clutch.

 

[Maniacmav]

ok another idea... Could trans fluid cause this? I used royal purple max-gear 75w90. I saw someone else on the forums use this and said it was great... but is it too thick or something? I'd hate to drain it if it couldn't be the problem, cost me $36 for 3 bottles.

 

[Maniacmav]

Ok problem solved. It was a linkage problem. The bracket on the transmission that holds the linkage wasn't adjusted right, it was like 2mm off and causing this problem.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

Thanks for telling us what solved the issue.