trouble changing gears after extended low speed 2wd use

[karmic]

Hi all,

I was giving a friend some driving lessons the other day in my 90 WT and after approx 1hr of just working on parking (so 1st/2nd gear and reverse only) it became damn hard to change gears.

It felt like the clutch wasnt disengaged, as when moving the gearstick to the various positions you could feel a strong physical resistance but there was no gear grinding noise or anything like that.

I was finally able to get it in gear by forcing it into 5th and it made a large clunking noise when it went into gear. I was then able to change into other gears but it still needed lots of force to do so.

After taking my friend home I was able to drive at speed (eg 60kph+) on the way back to my place. After approx 10 mins of this the gearbox went back to how it normally feels with no trouble changing gears, noises etc.

It was almost like the gearbox wasnt getting lubricated at slow speeds which made it hard to change gears, but after getting some speed up then it was able to spin the oil around enough to bring it back to normal.

I've checked clutch cable, linkages etc and all appear fine (clutch only disengages ~1.5" off the floor). I couldnt check the gearbox oil level as the plug started rounding out when I tried to undo it.

Any ideas ?

Kyle

[nicbeer]

Maybe the oil was getting too thick / thin.

[Ric]

there is a little bush on the end of the gearstick. pop the gear stick out, you may find this is split and needs replacing.

[Zute]

I get the same problem. If I give it a hard work out, its like the cable has stretched . let it cool down and it comes back abit . Have you changed the clutch or clutch cable lately ? Mine seems to have this problem after I replaced the cable. I seem to be continually adjusting the clutch.

[Highway-Star]

I learn't to drive in Dad's Sierra, and now my sister is abusing the poor thing, the box is grating a bit in and out of 2nd, and occasioanlly in other gears. You prob sounds more serious though, I'd agree with Nicbeer, the oil may be getting a bit thick and or low. Your description of the clutch disengagment tends to also question whether the cable is either stretched, or maybe not 'in place' correctly (inside bellhousing).

As for the rounded out plug, I had similar with rear diff, I cut two grooves, one each side. Then I used a big square-blade screwdriver bit on an impact driver. New plug from Suzisport was $3 I think.

[MART]

While you where having these problems was the clutch letting out in the same position , Cheers Paul.

[lethal weapon]

sounds like the spigot bearing starting to sieze up