this is the first manual trans car i've owned that i've had any issues with...i've never worked on one but i'm confident i could, so here goes.

since i bought the car, i've been having a hard time getting the shifter into first. it's like something isn't lined up, because i have to push pretty hard, and it feels ugly notchy when it does engage. sometimes it slides right in like it should, but it's a pain more often than not.

it also seems that even if i have the clutch all the way to the floor (which i always do) when shifting from 2nd to 3rd while the car is cold, it grinds a bit no matter how smoothly i make the shift. that goes away when it warms up, but first gear is always an issue.

the previous owner said the clutch was just replaced, and i've already checked to make sure all the shifter components are tight.

is this the synchros, clutch adjustment, needs fluid???

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This post has been edited by uberschall: Aug 24, 2006 - 8:49 AM

bump, i'll have time to work on it this weekend, pls help me out guys.

next time you go to drive , pump the clutch pedal a couple times (~3) and hold it in, then try to put it in first, if it goes in smooth you might wanna try bleeding it.

you could try adjusting the clutch, or changing your manual transmission oil to pennzoil syncromesh.

Clutch adjustment/bleeding and fluid levels would be the first things on my list. It could be that the clutch isn't disengaging all the way and the pressure plate is still making contact with the clutch disk causing the clutch to always partially be engaged. If that's still not it you can try draining the trans fluid and filling it with Syncromesh... Supposedly that stuff does wonders. If all else fails you may need a new pressure plate and throw out bearing but you might as well do the whole clutch kit replacement. If you're really unlcuky you might need a new trans.

This post has been edited by WannabeGT4: Aug 24, 2006 - 10:56 AM

thanks alot, guys. i was planning to change the trans fluid first and go from there, but wanted to be sure i wasn't way off base.

i'll get some of that pennzoil synchromesh ("works wonders" sounds good)...

can i use the vacuum pump for bleeding brakes to bleed the clutch, too?

thanks again!

yep you can use a mightyvac, thats why its such a good tool

cool, although i just have a cheapo vacuum pump. does the job, though.

thanks!

my celica did that a few times it was hard to put it into first, but it dosent do it anymore, after i pulled the boot off an tighened eveyhting up.