Trouble selecting 5th gear

[viperbluecerb]

Evening all. Here is an interesting one. The last couple of times I have been out, shifting from any gear into 5th gear has become a problem. No nasty noise, no grinding, just won't go in. So I went out for a drive this evening and discovered that if I attempt to go into 5th to the point where the gear lever won't move any farther forward (but is not anyway near close to being in gear), if I then move the lever back ever so slightly and try again, it goes into 5th every time on this "second" attempt. Very weird. No nasty crunching or funny noises, no issues with other gears so I am pretty confident it is not a synchro or clutch issue. Is there anything special about 5th with respect to the selector or other internals? Thoughts highly appreciated!

[viperbluecerb]

Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated. I have a long drive coming up this weekend so will see how I get on and if the problem gets worse or starts to affect other gears.

[viperbluecerb]

Tanguero said:

Have you tried topping up and bleeding the clutch?

I did this around 4 months ago and the reservoir was full. No fluid leaks since then, so I think this is OK, will check again though.

[viperbluecerb]

Found an interesting explanation of synchro rings here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXsRfbOiBhE

This guy refers to a "block out" condition that can occur when the synchro ring cannot index due to a worn slot or mashed teeth. You learn something new every day

[viperbluecerb]

Tanguero said:

I was meaning, top up and bleed the clutch then immediately try 5th. That would tend to eliminate the possibility that its a slow clutch leak. A slow leak or regurgitating seal wont always be terribly obvious, but if it wont go into 5th with a freshly bled clutch then its almost certainly the synchro on 5th.

Ah OK, understand now, thanks. Also thanks for the T5 rebuild kit link, very helpful.