Manual Shifting Trouble
 

Hi,

I bought an '89 non-turbo Supra in May with 133k miles. I just had the upper end rebuilt, and wouldn't ya know it, a week after I got it from my mechanic, this new problem surfaces.

almost since I got it, the shifting has been rough. It is often difficult to move the stick into a gear because there is resistance, and there seems to be slippage also. Also when changing gears, there is sometimes a "knocking" noise unless I shift very carefully.

The real problem is that a week ago it just stopped shifting into 4th. All the gears work but 4th....I can put the stick into the 4th postition, but it's as if it's in neutral. I don't know if it is the clutch or the transmission, but I'm sure it's one, the other or both; they are both original.

I'm just beginning to become car-savvy, but if I had to guess I'd say the clutch definitely needs replacing, and may even be the root of the 4th gear problem. But with my limited knowledge I can't rule out the tranny. Could anyone help me deduce what the problem is...? Or lend me some tips as to how I could test the clutch and tranny to get a better idea if one or both is bad?

My mechanic told me the transmission just wouldn't suddenly stop shifting into a certain gear without any grinding of gears to warn me. However, I wonder if it is wise to just swap out the tranny since I read in the manual that it has to come out anyway to get to the clutch. I mean, it is original, and maybe bad. I'm thinking that I should try to find a used or rebuilt one to swap if and when I replace the clutch....especially if I pay someone else to do the labor.

I'd love to do the labor myself, but I've never done something like this before. I've replaced alternators, starters, belts, and other bolt on stuff, but there's something about the tranny that just knocks my confidence. Is there anything tricky I should know about removing/replacing transmissions? Special tools? Tips?

I just realized how long this post was....Please, any comment, information, or opinion is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance,

James

Re: Tranny Trouble
 

I'm definately no expert, but if you had no shifting problems before you had the "upper end rebuilt", and now all of a sudden you have problems, I would think maybe they didn't connect it back together correctly. I mean, the engine transmits power to the wheels via the transmission and differntial right, and if it ain't hooked up correctly, that would surely cause problems. I don't think the problem with 4th is the clutch, because you say you can shift into 4th but its not engaged. I would bring it back to the mechanic who did the engine rebuild and tell him he messed up. Make it sound like you know what you're talking about so you don't look like an easy mark. Read a manual if you have to, and go in there talkin sh*t. Good luck, I hope you get your car back in order.

Sincerely,

James in NJ

mmm...i dont think this problem has anything to do with him having the upper end rebuilt...teh tranny is connected to the bottom end via crankshaft, this is interesting...the mechanic is right though...4th gear shouldnt stop working for no apparent reason, i think its the transmission gears, not the clutch...if it was the clutch you would tell from teh slippage or it just wont engage at all, check if the clutch fluid is full, and the oil levels are ok, but i think your gears just arent engaging for some reason...hmmm....i cant tell you exactly what it is at the moment but ill try and find an answer

You will have to pull the trans and have it rebuilt. Replace all clutch components too. It can be done seperately, but the manual says to pull the engine/trans together.