Hello all,
I 'm having a small issue with my first gear, not sure if this is a common problem. I recently replaced my tranny, cables, and shifter. Every gear is perfect except first. One of three things happens when i put it in first from stopped..

1. it goes in nicely

2. as im motioning to put it in, I feel the gears trying to line up and it makes a brrrr sound as it slows down and gets in

3. i think its in gear then as I start to let off the clutch it grinds and pops out

any ideas?

thanks,

Same thing happens to me so I would love to hear the answer.

In the past two cars I have driven number 2 has always happened, so I assume that you would always need to be stopped to put it in 1st and that it was some sort of a safety.

My understanding was that you can put it into first at slower speeds, but the whole popping out thing doesn't sound good.

After forcing my car into first when I had clutch engagement problems, it would pop out of 1st on a downgrade, like going into my underground garage.

Unless the tranny is new, I'd say something is worn out or you need to adjust your clutch pedal.

Newbie commenting here, so take it with a grain of salt.

I'd have to physically drive the car to diagnose this but it sounds like your hub and sleeve isn't engaging fully. This is either a worn out hub and sleeve assembly (keys, popped out retainer) or more likely a worn out shift fork.

My money is on the fork. Either way, you have to open it up to fix it.

Like Tim said. You'll need a new 1st gear, 1-2 hub/slider and syncros. You might as well get the transmission rebuilt at that point as changing those parts requires disassembly of the whole transmission.

Hmm, but i just replaced the transmission, bought it off Dennis. It had no problems before. We checked the tranny and it was good. I think it may be an adjustment issue, because this only started happening after I installed the cables and shifter and adjusted it. Before that, it was getting into first without these problems. Could it be that the cables are adjusted to far such that it wont engage properly?

is the shift fork the same as the clutch fork?

Nope, shift fork is connected to the shifter mechanism not the clutch.

I would first of all try to fix it with adjustment, since you've been in there before it went bad.

ok, I'll try that first. I may have adjusted it too short. I'm just ordering some parts from Ziggy so I'll wait til they come in before getting in there again. Mind you the popping doesnt happen too often, maybe once every other day, so I can wait

I ahd a perfectly good transmission and swapped a vehicle to manual, when I mounted the shifter base, I did not give enough throw for first gear... it always felt like it was in gear... but would do the grind/pop out like you describe..

Try an adjustment like Rob said so that there is more "pull" on the cable from inside the car.

It could very well be a cable adjustment issue or clutch engagement issue as well. If not, then more then likely its internal.

ok thanks guys. will do. i appreciate it, and I will let you know how it goes.

Doh!
I guess we might have adjusted that cable a little too much then eh! I'm back on Saturday afternoon so if you need help i can give you a hand.
Just need the get at the shifter cable and try adjusting it.
Would be a good idea too just to check your clutch pedal as it might be way out of wack too.

Cheers dude,

I think 1990 and 91 - 94 cables have about 2 inches difference.
Did you lay the cables u pulled out beside the ones u put in to make sure they were the same?

Here is a link describing the differences between cable and shifter linkage. Hope it helps:

http://www.galantvr4.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=UBB2&Number=1052555&Forum=,All_Forums,&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=837884&Search=true&where=&Name=&daterange=&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post1052555

Isaque and I adjusted the cables slightly and put new pieces in the shifter assembly. Everything works great now. Also, he mentioned that I was shifting too early, that is, i would start changing gears without the pedal fully depressed, which appears to have made the difference. I havent had a problem since.

thanks,

well, my first gear is screwing with me again. I think I just need to lengthen the throw into first; it feels like its not getting in all the way.

Is that what she said? lol

One thing I can tell you from being in a proffession that requires me to drive all types of vehicles...DSM's don't shift like ANYTHING else I've ever driven. Hope you get it fixed summer is just about here.

And for clarification (if it's really necessary), he doesn't mean this in a good way. (Well, that's assuming you believe smooth shifts to be 'good').


These things are notchy by nature...ain't no if's and's or but's about it!

Come on Mike they shift way more better then any 6 speed TL.

LOL I don't know man, I love my car, and I love the way it drives, but I think I may be due for some rtm solid base shifter bushings or possibly the urethane ones under the hood. 105,000miles on her and shifts are smooth but I'm starting to feel a bit of play left and right while in gear. like, 1/8th of an inch..

More like a 1/4 inch, not 1/8. I probably wouldn't care about 1/8 lol

I was actually just looking at those same bushings.

for the money, it's worth it. Plus I gotta get in there soon to adjust my hand brake anyway.

Did mine!! they work great for tightening things up on that end and the skate board wheel bearings on the other makes a difference