Clunky transmission and difficulty getting into 5th

[jpp]

Is this a sign that the clutch/slave is going, synchro or something worse?

Under acceleration and intermittently, dipping the clutch and then reaching for 5th leads firstly to the lever not being able to select the gear. I then put the lever into neutral with the clutch still depressed and try again, only to experience a crunch. Quite embarrassing when it happens and not being a cruncher I wonder what damage is being caused and how I can avoid doing it.

Once stopped, I've noticed that with the clutch fully down and the brakes on moving the gear lever into and out of 1st causes a small clunk which I assume is the gear engaging! Haven't tried it with the brakes off as I've always been in traffic when this happens.

[Zippee]

Possible worn synchro? Had similar symptoms on mine but mine was across most of the box, gearbox is currently out and being rebuilt.

[BliarOut]

I'd change the oil first.

[sportie]

Zippee said:

Possible worn synchro? Had similar symptoms on mine but mine was across most of the box, gearbox is currently out and being rebuilt.

Same here, worn 5th gear synchro

[jpp]

sportie said:

Same here, worn 5th gear synchro

Oh, great...

[Basil Brush]

If putting into 1st with engine off and clutch down is easier than with engine running then sounds like clutch drag. Possibly early signs of slave or clutch pressure plate failing.

[jpp]

Basil Brush said:

If putting into 1st with engine off and clutch down is easier than with engine running then sounds like clutch drag. Possibly early signs of slave or clutch pressure plate failing.

Yes, it is a bit like that (ie almost a delay between putting clutch down and clutch disengaging) but getting gears other than 5th is fine whilst driving.

Added to the list for Dom to look into next week.

[Jasper Gilder]

Try pumping the clutch as you're changing into 5th - a couple of quick pumps, if it's then OK you've got a hydraulic leak, if not it's something else

[twinreal]

jpp said:

Added to the list for Dom to look into next week.

@JPP

can you please let me know if it was the slave or something else ?


Cheers, Thomas

[crimbo]

twinreal said:

@JPP

can you please let me know if it was the slave or something else ?


Cheers, Thomas

x2

[m4tti]

jpp said:

Oh, great...

T5 gearboxes dont have a synchro on fifth or reverse do they....

[Targarama]

m4tti said:

T5 gearboxes dont have a synchro on fifth or reverse do they....

They do have one on 5th, but I understand it is weak.

[Mattt]

Is the no reverse syncho the reason for the 5th then reverse action?

[Targarama]

Mattt said:

Is the no reverse syncho the reason for the 5th then reverse action?

Yes. I usually go First to Reverse though, no difference.

[twinreal]

jpp said:

Once stopped, I've noticed that with the clutch fully down and the brakes on moving the gear lever into and out of 1st causes a small clunk which I assume is the gear engaging! Haven't tried it with the brakes off as I've always been in traffic when this happens.

Because of this i don't think it is a syncro problem. Exactly same behaviour here. Into and out of 1st is tight, all other gears except 5th are ok.
A few month ago i bleeded and it felt better. The master cylinder is leaking a bit, so maybe it's air in the system again. So it would be of interest what finally was the problem off JPP's car.

[jpp]

It wasn't entirely the clutch - that had cracked butterfly springs so was replaced.

1st gear clunk has stopped but it is still possible to crunch into 5th if not going seuentially up the box- which apparently is silly anyway! Just a pain after swift acceleration when going straight into a cruise.

Now I just need to adjust the reverse light switch.

[twinreal]

jpp said:

It wasn't entirely the clutch - that had cracked butterfly springs so was replaced.

1st gear clunk has stopped but it is still possible to crunch into 5th if not going seuentially up the box- which apparently is silly anyway! Just a pain after swift acceleration when going straight into a cruise.

Now I just need to adjust the reverse light switch.

Thanks for that. Did you replaced complete clutch assembly & Slave ?

[jpp]

Yes, clutch and slave

[Sagi Badger]

Glad you are sorted, if only 90%. The standard clutch plates are quite heavy so the syncros have a tough time dealing with the inertia. This was slowing down my gear change hence I swapped to a ceramic 7" twin with light weight billet cover. The lower mass and drag of the plates means I now have a fast change and can, sometimes, get into reverse without fifth, or any other gear, being engaged before. I think the T5 is working quite hard in our cars anyway so slow changes, or speed matched ones are best. Save your syncros for the special occasions.


cheers, J