Weird Noise from Tranny...

[TommyDSM]

I've been having problems with my transmission. First the shifter, usually if you push it left or right when in neutral it will fall back into the center... Now its REALLY Stiff when i try to push it left or right. Also now its harder to get in to gears... Also my 5th gear pops out when driving, but I fix it after reading the VFAQ. My Tranny makes this chattering noise when starting up, when I push in the clutch it goes away. I have a lighted crank pully, and heard stories when the fly wheel bolts would come loose, do you guys think thats the case? Also I was told by a nother DSMer that it could be my throwout bearing... If So how hard is it to replace it? If anyone could give me tips on removing my tranny and replacing my throw out bearing, would be great! And for the stiffness of the shifter any ideas? Would it be the tranny or the shifter cables?

 

[TommyDSM]

I disconnected the cables off the tranny, and in the car the shifter feels fine, move it left or right and it goes right back in the middle. Now on the tranny, when I pull the level on the right side up or push it down its stiff... Is it possible to fix my self?