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So I just drove about 400 miles at about 65-75 across the entire state of Oregon today in 100 degree plus heat and my tranny started doing weird stuff.

On 5 separate occasions today I was cruising along and out of nowhere my stick just pops out of 5th gear, my engine revs in neutral, and I have to shift it back into gear.

The one item in common is it happened each time as I was going uphill in the Eastern part of the state(2nd half of the drive). It happened on those occasions where I got some momentum and cruised up the hill in 5th and it seems to be popping out when it gets to a point where I am going just a tiny bit too slow to stay in 5th. This never happened in 4th at any speed. Never happened going downhill either.

Any thoughts on this? Is this a clutch issue maybe? Or some other tranny issue maybe? I am hoping to have a little more knowledge before I drive the 400 miles back home.

Thanks for everyone's help.

In my old vw golf this happened than shortly afterwards it started popping out of every gear. In that tranny it was the syncros that went bad. You could try changing the fluid and that may help.

I have to agree with that, I don't think there is enough play with bad mounts to pull it out of gear, and the problem would be worse in the lower gears if that was what was happening. (more torque applied to the mounts)

Well, at 104K miles I figures something tranny related would have to happen soon. But I figured it would be the clutch, as it is surely old and kind of sticky when I shift.

So is a syncro replacement a pricey item? Also, maybe should I try swapping tranny fluid first? Maybe with some of the good high-end stuff I hear many of you using? Maybe try that first???

You could try fluid, but I don't think it will help. the dogs that hold the gear in place are prolly worn enough that when under pressure they slide out. A JY MTX would prolly be the cheapest/easiest/fastest solution. Then tear apart the bad one and learn all you can from it. Then when you're comfortable rebuild it, install some diff lock tabs/or locker and swap it in if the JY one fails down the road.

DO check the fluid level FIRST. Always start with the "simple and stooopid" stuff.
Do you know how to check the fluid level ? It should be level with the bottom of the fluid fill hole.

If that doesn''t fix it, then you have other issues, like Occasional has said.

- Nick

bump.....any one else with comments on this. just trying to get some info before i start spending money.

thanks

beachbrum wrote:
So is a syncro replacement a pricey item? Also, maybe should I try swapping tranny fluid first? Maybe with some of the good high-end stuff I hear many of you using? Maybe try that first???

It wouldn't hurt to change fluid.

*IF* your fluid is low, check to find out why.
You might have a leaky axle seal, or your case haves might be leaking.

To answer your question about synchro replacement:
According to Chrysler, the Output Shaft is a "non-rebuildable" item and is supposed to be replaced "as a unit" (meaning you have to buy a new one from them...... I think they were asking over $1100, the last time I checked).

Note that I said, "supposed to be"
Now, logic tells one that if something has been assembled, then it can be disassembled and re-assembled, right ?

The trick to rebuilding (IF yours requires it) is finding a qualified, competent mechanic and the right equipment for the job.

Here is a link to a guy on "The.Org" (Neons.Org) who rebuilt his own trans: http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?t=316955
Honestly, this is one of those things that I wouldn't trust / pay a mechanic to do the job.... 'druther do it myself, and screw it up for free, rather than pay someone else to screw it up.

- Nick

There is a little bit of info about overhauling the 350 here: http://aseclub.net/forums/Trans-overhau ... 98727.html

I've never had to tear a trans apart so I'm not much help.

Well....I do have a local transmission shop here that I trust that has done good work for me in the past.

Sounds like it could be simple or it could be pricey. Synchros at the very least, or maybe worse Is there a possibility this could be a full rebuild? I usually think of rebuilds as something for an auto transmission and not for MTX's.

Donkeypuncher wrote:There is a little bit of info about overhauling the 350 here: http://aseclub.net/forums/Trans-overhau ... 98727.html

I got an error message
Any hope that this might be fixed, or would 'logging in' to view it help at all ??

- Nick

Bad synchro's would prevent it from getting into gear. If it's already in gear and popping out it's more than likely the dog teeth on the gears or selectors worn. For all the effort/money this will cost you'll be much further ahead just getting a used tranny out of the wreckers and swapping it.

NickKo wrote:

Any hope that this might be fixed, or would 'logging in' to view it help at all ??

- Nick

Looks like you need to be registered to view. There is quite a bit of good info floating around on that site, especially the forced induction since they deal with most of the same fuel management problems.

Donkeypuncher wrote:

NickKo wrote:

Any hope that this might be fixed, or would 'logging in' to view it help at all ??

- Nick

Looks like you need to be registered to view. There is quite a bit of good info floating around on that site, especially the forced induction since they deal with most of the same fuel management problems.

Done. Thanks for the link !

- Nick

check the cluth cable and the shifting cable to tranny and the shifter bushings...