manual transmission problems - hard to put in gear

mark180227 · 21-10-2007, 05:09 PM

as the title reads. just the last two days its become really hard to put the thing in gear.

the foot still feels the same as always so im not sure if its a clutch problem or it needs a service or what?

any suggestions?

cheers guys

atec77 · 21-10-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark180227

as the title reads. just the last two days its become really hard to put the thing in gear.

the foot still feels the same as always so im not sure if its a clutch problem or it needs a service or what?

any suggestions?

cheers guys

I would be checking the firewall for cracks after making sure the clutch is adjusted correctly

**Whoosha** · 21-10-2007, 06:05 PM

if your pedal feels the same as allways you could start by having the oil replace with the additive as even if it turns out to be more a serious problem there would be no reason to drain it to do a clutch replacement .. how ever if you have a few Kls on the clutch or if you have been giving a real work out it can ware the cluch plate material off the plate causing the plate to stick to the fly wheel or pressure plate this can cause it to be hard to shift in to gear also ..

kenz · 21-10-2007, 07:08 PM

Also check to see if the pedal box is bent where the pedal attaches to it

howesy · 21-10-2007, 07:48 PM

Where is you friction point. If it starts engaging very close to the floor as you let the clutch out then more than likely just adjust it will fix it. But if it went close to floor all of a sudden then the other possibilities are high. If the car has done around the 100K mark then drain the oil and put a nice thin high quality product in there. Dont use 90 weight oil.

mark180227 · 21-10-2007, 07:55 PM

cheers guys thanks for all the replies.

105,000km to be exact so maybe an oil change will fix it up. the friction point is fairly close to the floor.

my left leg is now double the size of my right from pushing the clutch in and out lol...

howesy · 21-10-2007, 10:37 PM

If your clutch is stiff then I would definately look at the fire wall, the pedal box and pedal mount, and the cable itself as it should be a relatively easy one to push in.

mr302xd · 22-10-2007, 12:34 AM

i got same problem in my xr8. my clutch is very heavy and stiff. and is hard to get in 1st and 2nd mainly sometimes

Eu-GenixX · 22-10-2007, 08:20 AM

yeah.. as stated above.... check firewall... check adjustment... otherwise.. could be a worn clutch...

Jokular · 22-10-2007, 08:58 AM

i've got a similar problem ,clutch fairly heavy will check box and adjustment.
Sometimes i just can't get it into first gear or reverse so i put it in neutral and try again this usually works.
Maybe something to do with the release bearing?
will get some gearbox oil and top it up see if that helps.
I'm at about the same k's as you too so whatever works for you might work for me too.

kiwikid10 · 22-10-2007, 06:50 PM

Tis the season for cracked firewalls........

Checked my XR6 yesterday, also had shift problems, can you say flexiwall not firewall.
Going into mechanics tomorrow for MIG surgery,not happy.

Had to steal the fairmont from the wife just to get to work today.

FS5 · 23-10-2007, 04:59 PM

i've had my fair share of clutch probs.
do you have extractors? if you do and ,you do quite a bit of spirited driving.the extractors can heat the clutch cable and melt the inside causing the cable to bind up.also au's are renowed for the the clutch cable binding up also where it go's the the fire wall to the pedal box,especialy if the pedal box is srarting to give way and flexing.
i'd suggest jacking your car up and disconnect the clutch cable from the gearbox and pedal box and seeing if it can move freely.you should be able to slide it back a forth with relative ease.

Burley · 23-10-2007, 06:18 PM

mine was doing the same....had the cable replaced...was fine for two days, replaced something inside the car pivot arm??? same thing happened few days later....at mechanics now to get new clutch and pedal box.....clutch was replaced wen i bought car 18 months ago...was heaps hard to push in.....still is....hoping the new clutch will fix it

loxxr6 · 24-10-2007, 02:12 PM

I split my firewall out at WSID after a rather large clutch dump. After that it would get progressively worse to change gears.

Give your car a hose down and if u start to get flooded on the inside, it's likely you have the same problem.

kiwikid10 · 25-10-2007, 02:59 PM

Just got the call from my mechanic regarding the cracked firewall on my XR6.

$1200 bills later, seems that the firewall welding was reasonable $325, however the new clutch, clutch cable, selecter (after the previous numbnut had drilled the bush out in order to hide the problem) plus the other work I asked for whilst it was there (new belt, fuel/air/oil/filters etc) pushed the costs up. And he only charges me cost for parts and a reduced labour charge.
I had heard of quotes for up to $900 for the welding alone, (note included 2 extra reinforced plates on each side of the firewall in my job). So I would hate to think what this would have cost at a Fraud stealership!

Note to self - Autos are good, less fun but good.

xbcoupe302 · 25-10-2007, 07:42 PM

mine was always hard to get into 1st gear at the lights i had to put it into 3rd gear then it would go into first like this for a few months i got use to it until one night an almighty squeal and couldnt get gears so with a bit of double clutching i got onto the freeway and made it home.

Jacked the car up next morning thinking it was the clutch it was a seized throw out bearing clutch still had some life but while it was out i replaced it anyway and havnt had a problem since the new clutch has been in there for 4 months now.

mark180227 · 26-10-2007, 05:22 PM

haha....driving in some rain the other night on the way home...

drip drip on my leg...not happy jan. i would suspect that would be a cracked firewall?

$1200!!! where am i supposed to get that moeny from lol...oh maannnn :(

mr302xd · 26-10-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark180227

haha....driving in some rain the other night on the way home...

drip drip on my leg...not happy jan. i would suspect that would be a cracked firewall?

$1200!!! where am i supposed to get that moeny from lol...oh maannnn :(

Great! I also got the drip drops hapinin!! And the gear change problems!!
Dont u loveeee cars!! :togo:

FS5 · 26-10-2007, 08:13 PM

most decent shops should fix the pedal box /fire wall for 250 to 300 bucks

kiwikid10 · 26-10-2007, 09:38 PM

It only cost me $325 for the welding the rest of the damage was the extra work on the other bits, stupid car.......................

mark180227 · 26-10-2007, 09:59 PM

well tonight i adjusted the little bolt on the cluth cable and that improved it so much. im never adjusted it since ive had the car, so ive just gotten used to it being a bit heavy but after adjusting it my god. the clutch is so much easier to push in, gears have freed up alot aswell...

ill still have to get the crack in the firewall fixed tho, can anybody suggest anywhere in melb to get in done? northen suburbs?

cheers

Burley · 02-11-2007, 06:03 PM

just got mine fixed....hard to change and hard clutch....clutch was changed under warrenty but pressure plate was original....this was shagged....got clutch and plate replaced...now perfect...now its as light as my fiancees 2000 magna to change