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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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 Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2021 8:40 pm Post subject: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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Wondering if anyone can help me out in regards to issues I am having with shifting between all gears. Wondering where to start...all gears shift fine when the vehicle is off. I’ve replaced the quick things shift rod bushing and coupling
-Hardest to shift in to first
-Reverse works well and lockout plate holds
-When down shifting have to go through gears in reverse 4-3-2 cannot go from 4-2 if needed or 4 to stop and start in 1. Need to stop and then shift through 4-3-2-1 and as stated typically have a hard time shifting into 1 need lots of force on the shifter to pop in.
There’s no grinding between any gears and I do think it’s the clutch? As once I get it to pop into gear there’s no slipping.
Any ideas? |
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my59
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3791
Location: connecting the dots
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 3:08 am Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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1st gear is not synchronized, you are supposed to be at a dead stop when starting off.
As an old school mechanic once commented, replacing a clutch is way more work than brakes, so why downshift to stop?
4th to 2nd? At what speed are you attempting this? Do you pay attention to the hash marks on the speedometer that indicate shift points?
Have you checked the oil level in the transmission? Free play in the clutch?
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:43 am Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| my59 wrote: |
1st gear is not synchronized, you are supposed to be at a dead stop when starting off.
As an old school mechanic once commented, replacing a clutch is way more work than brakes, so why downshift to stop?
4th to 2nd? At what speed are you attempting this? Do you pay attention to the hash marks on the speedometer that indicate shift points?
Have you checked the oil level in the transmission? Free play in the clutch? |
Thanks for the response.
As far as first gear it’s hard to get into while even at a dead stop.
Hash marks are paid attention when shifting. When I say 4th to 2nd it’s when going at speed down hill to a turn that goes again up hill. Breaking to make turn and then being able to accelerate up an incline. Definitely not doing that in 4th or 3rd.
I will look into transmission gearbox oil but has been changed in the last 30,000 miles.
There also does not appear to be much if any free play or slop in the clutch pedal? It appears to give the same amount of feedback each time and engages when I am able to in the same position. |
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toxicavenger70
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2019
Posts: 871
Location: CO
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 12:38 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| Check your clutch adjustment. |
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bwaz
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2004
Posts: 1780
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| Try tightening the clutch wing nut or bolt anyway, at least you'll be able to eliminate that.... but it's likely the cause of the problem... or rebuild the transmission time. |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| bwaz wrote: |
| Try tightening the clutch wing nut or bolt anyway, at least you'll be able to eliminate that.... but it's likely the cause of the problem... or rebuild the transmission time. |
Thanks - I’ll climb under and check it out. Maybe time to go freeway flyer. |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:20 am Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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So just a follow up - replaced the shift rod coupling again and adjusted the clutch wing nut.
Was shifting well for about 2 weeks and all of a sudden shift rod coupling broke. Replaced with a new Wolfsburg West one I had and that one broke within 20 minutes.
Ideas on if there is a bigger issue or just rotten couplings? |
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mukluk
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012
Posts: 7023
Location: Clyde, TX
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 10:36 am Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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Your problem sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging properly when you depress the pedal. If the pedal freeplay is adjusted correctly and you're pushing the clutch pedal all the way in before shifting, then one of the following conditions are likely causes: the clutch cable tube has broken free of one or more of its welds inside the tunnel, the clutch disc is sticking on the transmission input shaft splines, the transmission input shaft is binding in the pilot bearing, the clutch fork has a bent or broken finger, or the pressure plate is faulty.
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| mukluk wrote: |
| Your problem sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging properly when you depress the pedal. If the pedal freeplay is adjusted correctly and you're pushing the clutch pedal all the way in before shifting, then one of the following conditions are likely causes: the clutch cable tube has broken free of one or more of its welds inside the tunnel, the clutch disc is sticking on the transmission input shaft splines, the transmission input shaft is binding in the pilot bearing, the clutch fork has a bent or broken finger, or the pressure plate is faulty. |
Thanks for the feed back. Any recommended tutorials or reading material I can use to look into these items? |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34002
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| How is your front tranny mount? If loose or broken, it lets the front of the tranny jump when accelerating, and it might wear out your coupler prematurely. Also, urethane is not a good choice there (at least in the later parts). |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| How is your front tranny mount? If loose or broken, it lets the front of the tranny jump when accelerating, and it might wear out your coupler prematurely. Also, urethane is not a good choice there (at least in the later parts). |
Was able to get one without the urethane holding the 2 pieces together from a gentlemen in town. Looks similar to the one Jbugs offers...
https://www.jbugs.com/product/111711175B.html?utm_...wZEALw_wcB
Hope this holds. Hesitating to even test drive around the block again. |
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mukluk
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012
Posts: 7023
Location: Clyde, TX
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| Ronix wrote: |
| Thanks for the feed back. Any recommended tutorials or reading material I can use to look into these items? |
This forum has a fair amount of information on the subjects if you search.
For the clutch cable tube, you'll want to gain visual access to the three welded mount points inside of the tunnel via removal of the front inspection plate, shift lever, and the coupler inspection plate. Have a helper pump the clutch pedal while you observe the cable tube to see if it is moving or if you can specifically see any of the three welds broken. The forward attachment point/weld is just aft of the pedal assembly, the center one is below the parking brake lever, and the rear is just outboard of the shift coupler. For repair of a loose clutch cable tube, see the information below.
For the other possible causes I listed, you'll need to remove the engine to inspect the clutch and inside the transmission bellhousing.
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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| mukluk wrote: |
| Ronix wrote: |
| Thanks for the feed back. Any recommended tutorials or reading material I can use to look into these items? |
This forum has a fair amount of information on the subjects if you search.
For the clutch cable tube, you'll want to gain visual access to the three welded mount points inside of the tunnel via removal of the front inspection plate, shift lever, and the coupler inspection plate. Have a helper pump the clutch pedal while you observe the cable tube to see if it is moving or if you can specifically see any of the three welds broken. The forward attachment point/weld is just aft of the pedal assembly, the center one is below the parking brake lever, and the rear is just outboard of the shift coupler. For repair of a loose clutch cable tube, see the information below.
For the other possible causes I listed, you'll need to remove the engine to inspect the clutch and inside the transmission bellhousing. |
Awesome - thanks. |
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Ronix
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2015
Posts: 34
Location: North Dakota
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| Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: 1959 Shifting Issues |
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Just a little follow up after some time. I replaced the clutch cable wingnut, ended up breaking 2 shift rod couplers, and finally replaced the Bowden tube and it appears the issues are currently gone. So knock on wood that’s what it is. While I was at it I also replaced the rear spring plates, torsion bars. and shocks. So win-win.
Thanks for all the help, it is appreciated. |
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