I have the original T-10 and the clutch free-play is approx.1"- 1 1/2". The problem is shifting into 1st gear at a stop or approaching a stop. If I double-clutch and hit the right rev's while still moving it will slide in. Otherwise, I come to a stop and have to let the clutch out a bit and it will go into gear, sometimes with a grind. This transmission hasn't been worked on in the 35K miles I've owned it except to change the gear oil about 8K miles at car re-build. It shifts fine in every other gear, up and down. Any suggestions besides re-build tranny that now has just over 100K on it? Thanx- lib

 

Isn't that the sign of a worn synchro?

 

Yes, find some other of your anxieties to spend your time and money on.

You didn't mention it grinding going in to reverse so it's not a clutch problem

 

Let me understand this. If the clutch is depressed, fully, to the floor the shifter balks going into gear and will not go into gear? If you let the clutch out a certain amount it will shift into gear but with a grind?

Second, can you shift into first with the car at idle with it standing still, or does it just do it when the car is decelerating at, let's say, 5mph when you are approaching a stop sign, for example?

 

Sounds like a clutch dragging because it has too much free play or...................?

 

1] If the motor is not running and the clutch pedal is depressed to the floor, it shifts flawlessly. When the motor is first started, and sitting idle it will also shift correctly.
2] Once the car is out on the road, is when the problem shows up. I can SOMETIMES shift smoothly into first while rolling to a stop or at stop. Usually, I let it come to a stop, see if it goes in easily, and if not, let out the clutch pedal a bit while putting a fair amount of pressure on the shifter until it slips into first. It is not uncommon for it to grind a bit when it slips into gear using this method.

 

What kind of gear oil did you put in the transmission?

 

Here is a possible answer. You mentioned that the tranny has 100,000 miles on it. That is a lot of miles on a BW-10. We don't know the behavior of the previous owners, but if over that 100M time frame, they (or you) have been shifting into first at 5-15 mph to slow the car down, someone has put some serious stress on the first gear blocker ring. Your grinding is due, most likely, from that. The stress on the blocker on a down shift, especially over 15 mph, is about three times that of an upshift.

Second, another contribution to the grinding might be wear on the clutch keys (side to side) which is creating a lot of slop between the slider and the engagement teeth on the gear. You synchro assembly may not have a tight fit and by letting up on the clutch it may be allow the two to line up (shifting the blocker ring to one side), thereby completing the shift into first----from time to time. I would bet that your ability to let up on the clutch to sucessfully complete the shift to first is pretty random. Am I correct?

My guess is that you will need to replace the synchro assembly. But as Mike M said, you may wish to leave it alone. If it were mine and I could shift into first at a dead stop, I would forget about it.

 

Thanks to all for the responses and insights. 1] Yes, Dan, there is no infallible procedure to flawlessly get the car into 1st gear everytime. Thanks also for the info regarding the forces on the trans. down-shifting at speed. 2] Yes, the problem is a minor annoyance and IMHO, not a problem that I'd consider removing the trans/clutch assembly to rectify. I was just looking for an EZ fix, and there isn't one it appears. I'll keep the clutch adjusted and drive on. I can always find something else more annoying or critical to repair than that problem! Thanks again-lib