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R33 Gearbox Problems: Clutch Won't Engage Gears!

r33todie4
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r33todie4 Newbie

r33todie4

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Hi, I've got a r33 gts-t with a really annoying gearbox problem.

The main problem: When I'm stationary I can't engage 1st gear ( or any other gear) unless I really really force it. Once I've started moving I can go through the gears ok but as I come to a complete stop I need to put it back into 1st gear (when rolling quite slow) before I stop otherwise i won't be able to get it back into gear. Therefore I need to keep the clutch pedal in with the gear lever in 1st gear whenever I've stopped at a set of lights.

Other things I've noticed:

When the car is stationary and the clutch pedal is out there is a bit of vibration kind of noise. But when the clutch pedal is in the noise is gone (not sure if this is associated with the above problem).

Also, before the engaging gears problem occured there was always a pause of about 2 sec between when I put the clutch pdeal in completely and when the gear lever would go into 1st gear.

Also when the transmission fluid has warmed up it gets a little easier to put into gear but it still has the 2 second pause before going into gear.

Also if the engine is off then I can put it into gear very easily.

I've asked a few mechanics and they all give me different possibilities; transmission fluid, clutch, pressure plate, worn syncros. So i was hoping to get a few opinions before I pay heaps of money for a mechanic to waste time checking the syncros if its the clutch or vice versa.

I've got some redline lightweight shockproof gear oil (blue label) I'm going to put in.

Any help is muchly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Birds Grand Master

Birds

Posted
Posted

Sounds like you have a gearbox bearing problem. If it were clutch related you would be experiencing these problems in all gears. When you do eventually engage 1st gear, does it crunch going into it or no sound at all? If it makes a crunch then it's a synchro problem, if it doesn't then it could be the synchro hub or courtesy of the dicey bearing.

The two second pause between putting the clutch in and engaging 1st gear is quite normal, that is just the gearbox internals slowing down and allowing you to engage 1st gear. You can put it in gear when the engine is off and the car is stopped because there are no parts moving in the gearbox to lock you out of the gear.

Don't put in shockproof if you have the money to get your gearbox refurbished, it'll give you worse problems down the track.

In short, gearbox problem, pull her out for repair.

shoei Explorer

shoei

Posted
Posted

im assuming that the clutch and gearbox was working well before all this started happening, ie nobody has been playing with these parts

probably best to check the clutch master and slave cylinders before going through the trouble of pulling the gearbox out, a new master and slave used to cost $100 not sure about prices these days

r33todie4 Newbie

r33todie4

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  • Author
Posted
Sounds like you have a gearbox bearing problem. If it were clutch related you would be experiencing these problems in all gears. When you do eventually engage 1st gear, does it crunch going into it or no sound at all? If it makes a crunch then it's a synchro problem, if it doesn't then it could be the synchro hub or courtesy of the dicey bearing.

The two second pause between putting the clutch in and engaging 1st gear is quite normal, that is just the gearbox internals slowing down and allowing you to engage 1st gear. You can put it in gear when the engine is off and the car is stopped because there are no parts moving in the gearbox to lock you out of the gear.

Don't put in shockproof if you have the money to get your gearbox refurbished, it'll give you worse problems down the track.

In short, gearbox problem, pull her out for repair.

When it finally goes into 1st it doesn't crunch - its just got a bit of a noise from the gear stick moving. So it must be the syncro hub or bearing then. But it does crunch from 1st to 2nd on the first shift every morning as if it needs warming up or something (possbily 2nd syncro is worn?)

Do you think the ticking (vibration) sort of noise when the clutch pedal out is related or would this be a different problem with the clutch?

Also do you think the shockproof would help in the meantime as I cant afford a gearbox rebuilt at the moment? or is shockproof only good for worn syncros?

Thanks :D

r33todie4 Newbie

r33todie4

Posted
  • Author
Posted
im assuming that the clutch and gearbox was working well before all this started happening, ie nobody has been playing with these parts

probably best to check the clutch master and slave cylinders before going through the trouble of pulling the gearbox out, a new master and slave used to cost $100 not sure about prices these days

The clutch master and slave cylinders were changed just less than 2 years ago but it was working fine after this so i dont think it would be them.

Thanks for the advice anyway :D

Birds Grand Master

Birds

Posted
Posted
When it finally goes into 1st it doesn't crunch - its just got a bit of a noise from the gear stick moving. So it must be the syncro hub or bearing then. But it does crunch from 1st to 2nd on the first shift every morning as if it needs warming up or something (possbily 2nd syncro is worn?)

Do you think the ticking (vibration) sort of noise when the clutch pedal out is related or would this be a different problem with the clutch?

Also do you think the shockproof would help in the meantime as I cant afford a gearbox rebuilt at the moment? or is shockproof only good for worn syncros?

Thanks :)

Noises when the clutch pedal is out are rarely clutch related. When you let out the clutch pedal you start turning the input shaft, even in neutral, causing any problem bearings to start making noise. Crunch from 1st to 2nd first thing in the morning is usually a sign of a worn synchro, however it is quite common and if it only does this when the gearbox is cold then your synchro still has a fair amount of life left in it - to help with this first shift in the morning, either do it nice and slow (just hold the shifter gently resting against the 2nd gear gate until it pops in of it's own accord) or shift it fairly quickly.

Shockproof will silence alot of gearbox noises and vibrations...people mostly use it for synchros but it can mask alot of things. No harm in giving it a shot but start saving for that reco :D

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