Hard Shifting

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:46 pm

So after my trans gets up to temp...or after ive been driving for a while it gets REALLY hard to go in and out of gears...i just replaced the clutch bout 15k ago i have made sure that the clutch is depressed all the way while im shifting and it is still all i can do to switch gears...ne ideas what to do....can i put an aftermarket trans cooler on???

OB · Post by OB » Sat May 23, 2009 6:06 pm

You can indeed put a cooler in, but that's not your problem. I assume the fluid level is good? Could be a linkage issue, or maybe a problem with the slave cylinder. If everything on the outside is good, that only leaves internal trans damage.

Post by **racer12306** » Sat May 23, 2009 6:36 pm

trans cooler on a manual, nope not gonna happen.

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:10 pm

Sure it can happen, just tap the bottom of the case and install an aux. oil pump to move it around. Really not needed on any MTX though, they don't generate near the heat of an automatic.

But back to the main point you have bigger problems than hot oil.

Check the simple things, like bushings, cables (remember they are routed right above the cat.), and fluid level first. Report back from there.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sun May 24, 2009 1:59 am

Does the clutch engage normal once it is in gear?

Is there any play in the shifter while it's in gear? That usually means a bushing.

Is the fluid level normal?

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Sun May 24, 2009 12:07 pm

i know this might be a dumb question but how do u check fluid level on a manual trans...once it goes into gear or gets out of gear it seems fine pulls fine no shifter play or ne thing...its just hard to shift

Post by **jonnymopar** » Sun May 24, 2009 12:20 pm

The clutch fluid reservoir is right next to the brake fluid reservoir up on the firewall. It's as easy as taking the cap off and seeing if you're full.

I had this same thing happening to me and it was after I had adjusted the clutch pedal. When the clutch was cool, it would shift fine, but if I was stuck in traffic and the clutch was getting hot, it wouldn't disengage all the way. If you're fluid level is all set, try going up under the dash where the clutch pedal connects to the clutch master cylinder and tweaking it.

Check here on how to adjust the pedal height: viewtopic.php?t=26

Try adjusting it so the pedal sits just a little bit higher and see if that solves it.

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Sun May 24, 2009 12:27 pm

thanks guys ill let u know what i find

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Sun May 24, 2009 12:50 pm

i've been having the same issue... and i was talking with silverneon on friday and his r/t does the same thing....

*runs outside to check fluid*

my reservoir is bone dry!!!! wtf

okay, so what kind of fluid goes in it and does it have to be bled?

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:01 pm

never mind, found the "how to"

i <3 the search button

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Mon May 25, 2009 12:46 am

Sounds like something mechanical. If the clutch is engaging at the right spot it means the hydraulic system works fine.

OB · Post by OB » Mon May 25, 2009 9:47 am

jonnymopar wrote:The clutch fluid reservoir is right next to the brake fluid reservoir up on the firewall. It's as easy as taking the cap off and seeing if you're full.

I had this same thing happening to me and it was after I had adjusted the clutch pedal. When the clutch was cool, it would shift fine, but if I was stuck in traffic and the clutch was getting hot, it wouldn't disengage all the way. If you're fluid level is all set, try going up under the dash where the clutch pedal connects to the clutch master cylinder and tweaking it.

Check here on how to adjust the pedal height: viewtopic.php?t=26

Try adjusting it so the pedal sits just a little bit higher and see if that solves it.

That's the proper way to check the hydraulic circuit for the clutch, but to check the actual trans fluid, simply remove the rubber plug on the upper drivers side of the trans case, under/behind the battery. Should be able to touch fluid with your finger. If not, fill it until it pours out then plug it back off. I recommend changing the fluid if it hasn't been done in awhile too.

Clutch circuit - DOT3 or 4 brake fluid
Trans - Mopar ATF

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:25 am

alright guys i checked all the fluids and they are full....well i just checked the reservoir and it was full so i decided to mess with the linkage on the pedal and it is doing so much better i think they just didnt adjust it when i had the clutch put in but it is working fine now shifts like a dream and even pulls harder so...thanks guys for all the advice lets hope that fixed it

Post by **jonnymopar** » Mon May 25, 2009 12:47 pm

patton98 wrote:...replaced the clutch bout 15k ago...

patton98 wrote:...i think they just didnt adjust it when i had the clutch put in...

This is mainly why I made that suggestion specifically. Hopefully you're all set now.

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Mon May 25, 2009 1:00 pm

thanks man

La_noob · Post by **La_noob** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:52 pm

Hey this seems like a good place to ask...I was just driving home and well my clutch was pushed down all the way and the gear enganged a couple times...and then when i put it in neutral and tried to put it in first it was hard as hell same with second like Im having to almost jam it in there... any ideas Im gonna go check the fluid after it cools down cause the engine is hot and as in the shock bar...

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:05 pm

i adjusted my linkage under the dash and i havent had ne problems since...but it kinda sounds like ur clutch is on its way out the door my friend

La_noob · Post by **La_noob** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 9:27 pm

Yeah thats kinda what Im thinkin.. if it was the clutch would it be kinda sporatic cause it was only like that on the last 9 min of the drive about 10km.

La_noob · Post by **La_noob** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 10:03 pm

La_noob wrote:Yeah thats kinda what Im thinkin.. if it was the clutch would it be kinda sporatic cause it was only like that on the last 9 min of the drive about 10km.

Wasnt the clutch was the throwout bolt...Ironic i have to throw it out..Just got the car 3 weeks ago with 97k Ive put on 1.5 K took it to the dealer fixin it for 600 bucks... just when I was getting back some spending money BAS.....well you know. But once i get that fixed can anyone say Boogers!!! +madog Sts I think...I dunno any reviews on it?

Maddog · Post by **Maddog** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:38 pm

La_noob wrote:
La_noob wrote:Yeah thats kinda what Im thinkin.. if it was the clutch would it be kinda sporatic cause it was only like that on the last 9 min of the drive about 10km.
Wasnt the clutch was the throwout bolt...Ironic i have to throw it out..Just got the car 3 weeks ago with 97k Ive put on 1.5 K took it to the dealer fixin it for 600 bucks... just when I was getting back some spending money BAS.....well you know. But once i get that fixed can anyone say Boogers!!! +madog Sts I think...I dunno any reviews on it?

Maddog STS Reviews:

King Crab's review

MyNeonSaysHi's review

ZeroChad's review

grambo's review

And a very old one from HOTRODACR...

patton98 · Post by **patton98** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:42 pm

well im glad u got it fixed

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:45 pm

Maddog wrote:
La_noob wrote:
La_noob wrote:Yeah thats kinda what Im thinkin.. if it was the clutch would it be kinda sporatic cause it was only like that on the last 9 min of the drive about 10km.
Wasnt the clutch was the throwout bolt...Ironic i have to throw it out..Just got the car 3 weeks ago with 97k Ive put on 1.5 K took it to the dealer fixin it for 600 bucks... just when I was getting back some spending money BAS.....well you know. But once i get that fixed can anyone say Boogers!!! +madog Sts I think...I dunno any reviews on it?
Maddog STS Reviews:

King Crab's review

MyNeonSaysHi's review

ZeroChad's review

grambo's review

And a very old one from HOTRODACR...

i have nothing bad to say about it only excelent thing pm me for questions

La_noob · Post by **La_noob** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 4:53 pm

What exactly does it do my understanding is that it makes this distance the shifter has to travel is shorter right, thus making shifts quicker.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:49 am

La_noob wrote:What exactly does it do my understanding is that it makes this distance the shifter has to travel is shorter right, thus making shifts quicker.

You got it.