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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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 Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 9:06 pm Post subject: Shifting Issue |
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Over the winter I had my transaxle rebuilt by Rancho (to a Freeway Flyer) and I had a Stage II clutch installed on my engine by Red-E in SLC, UT. I put everything back together and for ~month worth of driving, it's been shifting okay. I only say "okay" because down shifting from 3rd to 2nd, to 1st has been stiff. Ex. Even from a dead start, I've have to shift to 3rd, and then 2nd, and then 1st, before moving forward.
I called Rancho and they said that was normal and that the shifting would get smoother with more miles.
I've probably put about ~100 miles on the rebuilt trans and new clutch.
Today I went for a drive and noticed that shifting was getting progressively harder, very quickly. It ultimately got to the point where it wouldn't go into any gears without a bit of a struggle. (And I got to utilize my tow bar again to get her home.) This happened fast, in one drive of ~10 miles total.
So, right now, sitting with engine off, not pushing in the clutch, I can cycle through all the gears 1-4 and reverse, up and down, no problem. Very smooth. Same scenario, engine off, with clutch pushed down, again, I can cycle through all gears 1-4 and reverse, up and down, with no problem.
However, once I start up the engine, push in the clutch, I can not shift into any forward gear or reverse. It feels like everything is just blocked. It won't shift at all.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what might have happened? Is there a clutch adjustment that I should try? Any thoughts or suggestions greatly appreciated.
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Dougy Dee
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2004
Posts: 1760
Location: Niagara Region, CANADA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 5:11 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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Probably clutch needs adjusting.
Could also be your clutch disc shredding/exploding... |
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RLFD213
Samba Member
Joined: January 21, 2009
Posts: 487
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| Is there fluid in the trans? |
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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| Dougy Dee wrote: |
Probably clutch needs adjusting.
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Okay. I've never adjusted a clutch before, I just reinstalled the same way it was when I removed it. I'll do some research and see if this is it.
| Dougy Dee wrote: |
| Could also be your clutch disc shredding/exploding... |
Oh man, I hope not... It's brand new. How would I tell? Could I tell w/o pulling the engine? |
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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| RLFD213 wrote: |
| Is there fluid in the trans? |
I filled it with the recommended type and amount from Rancho when I installed it. I haven't seen any leaks but it can't hurt to check. Actually, since the transmission was just rebuilt, I'll probably drain it completely and refill with fresh, just in case. |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33086
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 7:14 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| Phydous wrote: |
| I had a Stage II clutch installed on my engine |
| Phydous wrote: |
| Dougy Dee wrote: |
Probably clutch needs adjusting.
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Okay. I've never adjusted a clutch before, I just reinstalled the same way it was when I removed it. I'll do some research and see if this is it. |
New clutch and you never adjusted the cable after installing? I'm speechless.
Before I install an engine, I always back off on the clutch wingnut, and then adjust the clutch cable after the engine is in.
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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jarmchairpilot
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2013
Posts: 492
Location: GALWAY,IRELAND
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 10:09 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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Did you check your transmission mount is intact and torqued correctly?
The rubber block can detach from the metal holder so it looks ok but os not functioning, this caused my gearbox to sit out of line with the enngine driveshaft so I could not engage gear!
I thought my gearbox was destroyed but it was just that rubber block broke pff a 20 dollar fix bit 2 days work!
One day to pull the engine/trans and another day to pit it all back again.
Correct clutch adjustment is cricial also. |
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jarmchairpilot
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2013
Posts: 492
Location: GALWAY,IRELAND
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| Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 10:13 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| While the trans is out just test you can turn the drive shaft output ,change through the gears and see the axles turn as they should, need a helper woth this, of gearbox os faulty ypu should feel this! |
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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2024 5:08 pm Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| Cusser wrote: |
Before I install an engine, I always back off on the clutch wingnut, and then adjust the clutch cable after the engine is in. |
Is there a Youtube or instructions thread you'd recommend to show this being done? When I pulled the transmission to have it rebuilt the wingnut was completely off, and when I installed everything back I had to twist the wing nut back to ~where it was. The clutch felt fine, and even with the tight 1 and 2 gears it was driving fine.
I was hoping that someone with experience could provide some direction. I'm still learning (obviously) so any help or guidance is appreciated.
| jarmchairpilot wrote: |
While the trans is out just test you can turn the drive shaft output ,change through the gears and see the axles turn as they should, need a helper woth this, of gearbox os faulty ypu should feel this!
Did you check your transmission mount is intact and torqued correctly?
The rubber block can detach from the metal holder so it looks ok but os not functioning, this caused my gearbox to sit out of line with the enngine driveshaft so I could not engage gear!
I thought my gearbox was destroyed but it was just that rubber block broke pff a 20 dollar fix bit 2 days work!
One day to pull the engine/trans and another day to pit it all back again.
Correct clutch adjustment is cricial also. |
I'm traveling for a bit so I haven't had time to look into it further. I'm hoping not to have to take the engine and trans back out, but great idea on checking the mounts. If I do have to take everything apart, I'll do as you suggest and manually turn the drive shaft in each gear to verify it's integrity.
Thanks for your help! |
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26530
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2024 7:54 pm Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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Also, make sure the pilot bearing in the "gland nut" of the flywheel is greased and spins freely. If it does not, it will "grab" the input shaft and can cause the specific issues described here... it will shift just fine if the engine is not running, but not once it is.
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Andy T.
"What is Glutamodo, Horror of Toyko, besides total, fiendish, quality-a-you brain!" |
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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2024 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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| Dougy Dee wrote: |
Probably clutch needs adjusting.
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Thank you Dougy Dee! This was it.
I watched Slade's video on how to adjust the clutch cable, followed his instructions, and now she's shifting into gears like butter.
Slade, if you're out there, your videos have helped me a TON. Thank you brother! |
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Phydous
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2016
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Shifting Issue |
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For anyone in the future who is researching, trying to figure out why their car stopped shifting and thinks it might be that the clutch cable is not set correctly...
You will ALSO want to take a flashlight and inspect your clutch pedal arm for damage or cracks. Turns out that after I readjusted my clutch, within the next couple of times I drove my car again my clutch pedal arm separated from the assembly, i.e. the metal cracked and broke. This may not be your issue, but, for me, I had to replace the pedal assembly and now everything is working well again.
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MrGoodtunes
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2012
Posts: 1024
Location: South Florida
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 33086
Location: Hot Arizona
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