Grinding Gears
Grinding Gears
Author
Discussion

WonkyGibbon

Original Poster:

476 posts

275 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
quotequote all
Hello All,

A (hopefully) minor problem just started today. The car is getting more difficult to change gear with - bit of grinding of the synchro that sort of thing - particularly into reverse. The stick feels just a bit stiffer than usual as well.

For background - the engine was rebuilt recently and if I remember correctly, I think the clutch was replaced at the same time.

I was wondering if it could be something as simple as the clutch cable slipping ?

Oh - and Happy Xmas all ! I don't type stuff that often here - but this is a damn fine forum - thanks for helping through a great year of S ownership,

Cheers,

WG

tvrgit

8,483 posts

276 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
quotequote all
won't be the clutch cable - the clutch is hydraulic!

Check that there is fluid in the reservoir. Check for leaks along the pipe and at the slave cylinder - clutch / brake fluid has a characteristic smell that is different from engine oil, if you're not sure where any oil is coming from.

Check the adjustment of the actuation rod between the cylinder and the clutch lever in the side of the gearbox - if the clutch has bedded in slightly then it might not be disengaging and "dragging" a bit. The rod shouldn't be very loose.

Next step would be to bleed the clutch - I think pies' site at www.tvrsseries.com explains how to change a cylinder but maybe not how to bleed it. At least you'll see all the bits! Note - mine is different from the one shown on that site, IIRC. Make sure the bleed nipple is at the TOP - people sometimes fit it upside down cos the bleed nipple is easier to reach, but you can't get all the air out unless the nipple is at the top.

That's all I can think of at the mo, let us know how it goes.

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
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Do you have a hydraulic clutch? My S2 did. If so it might just be that you have a clutch leak or it needs bleeding. Or it could be that the gearbox is running low on oil, or just that the synchros are wearing out.

tvrgit

8,483 posts

276 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
quotequote all
You know, sometimes I wonder if I have turned invisible...

>> Edited by tvrgit on Wednesday 22 December 22:38

Psychobert

6,318 posts

280 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
quotequote all
tvrgit said:
You know, sometimes I wonder if I have turned invisible...

>> Edited by tvrgit on Wednesday 22 December 22:38


Who said that?



For some reason mine hates 1st and reverse. I've found the way to get it in is to put it in 4th then 2nd then 1st or reverse. Since I'm usually going pretty slowly whenever I need reverse its not a problem.

Someone did explain why in particular 4th is a good thing to do, but the details were a little too detailed for me. Works though..

WonkyGibbon

Original Poster:

476 posts

275 months

Wednesday 22nd December 2004
quotequote all
tvrgit said:
You know, sometimes I wonder if I have turned invisible...

>> Edited by tvrgit on Wednesday 22 December 22:38


Sorry mate - have got dragged onto a support call - at 11 o'clock at night too - oh ... here we go again ...

UKBoB

16,277 posts

289 months

Thursday 23rd December 2004
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WonkyGibbon said:
Oh - and Happy Xmas all ! I don't type stuff that often here - but this is a damn fine forum
over 300 posts isn't bad for a year, seasons greetings to you too

Notanutter

361 posts

259 months

Thursday 23rd December 2004
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Psychobert said:


For some reason mine hates 1st and reverse.


My most recent S3 hated reverse when hot, but I never understood if this was expansion of metal bits / thinning of oil, or some other much more technical reason. I solved it by selling the car.

Psychobert

6,318 posts

280 months

Thursday 23rd December 2004
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Notanutter said:
I solved it by selling the car.


Hmmm.. Nope, not an option I'm afraid

oldred

3,764 posts

262 months

Friday 24th December 2004
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Don't just bleed the clutch, change the fluid. Recently changed mine as the shift was getting very baulky, and it is now much better. Local Tiv dealer said fluid should be changed every year. When you look at the slave cyliners proximity to the exhaust, it makes you think all that heat can't be doing the fluid much good. Going to change it once a year now!

tvrgit

8,483 posts

276 months

Friday 24th December 2004
quotequote all
Very good tip oldred.