88 4+3 gearbox problem?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 2
From: Surprise Arizona
88 4+3 gearbox problem?
Nuetral will not stay put. Normally the shifter can be moved side to side with ease. I installed the short throw arms and had everything adjusted right on the money. Once in a while it feels like the linkage adjustment changed even though it hasnt. When this happens the shifter gets bound moving side to side between the 1/2 and 3/4 positions. Then for no reason it goes back to normal. At first I tried adjusting the linkage again. That did not help as the problem comes and goes. Could there be something bad happening in the gearbox?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 2
From: Surprise Arizona
Re: (scorp508)
Ya, The spring pins are both there. Tight just like before. Normally first is very stiff to get in to. I have to push real hard, or let the clutch out a bit and it will drop right in to first.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,254
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From: Custer SD
Re: (ZylaRace)
Your looseness in the neutral area between 1/2 and 3/4 should have nothing to do with your tranny. That is strictly with the linkage. Now if it's popping out of gear, that's a whole other story.
When we adjusted Bryant's shifter, we had him go through the gears while I adjusted the linkage underneath. It's alot easier to find the 'sweet spot' doing it this way.
[Modified by Romeo Barrera, 6:23 PM 10/16/2001]
When we adjusted Bryant's shifter, we had him go through the gears while I adjusted the linkage underneath. It's alot easier to find the 'sweet spot' doing it this way.
[Modified by Romeo Barrera, 6:23 PM 10/16/2001]
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
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From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: (Romeo Barrera)
I agree with Romeo. I adjusted using a sawblade to lock neutral on the shifter. When I put in the short throw, I didn't feel like pulling all the plastic off again, but I found a setting where the 1-2 neutral is offset maybe a gnats butt towards the rear of the car compared to the 3-4 neutral. This makes the 2-3 shift kind of "channel" into 3rd gear. Haven't missed a 2-3 powershift since!
Re: the topic - I moved the 1-2 neutral point once by forcing it into 1st when it didn't want to be there. I don't force it anymore, and that hasn't happened since. All I can say, it is possible to bend something if you really try.
Romeo - they screwed with the firewalls at work (NIMDA over-reaction), so I haven't been on the forum recently. Got that OD back together?
Re: the topic - I moved the 1-2 neutral point once by forcing it into 1st when it didn't want to be there. I don't force it anymore, and that hasn't happened since. All I can say, it is possible to bend something if you really try.
Romeo - they screwed with the firewalls at work (NIMDA over-reaction), so I haven't been on the forum recently. Got that OD back together?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
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From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Paul G)
When this happens the shifter gets bound moving side to side between the 1/2 and 3/4 positions.
On second thought, I wonder if your reverse lockout rod is rotated sideways, or bent and binding on something. Some claim that removing the rod results in improved shifts. Might pay to pull the shifter and look for interference there. Some fresh grease probably wouldn't hurt anything either.
On second thought, I wonder if your reverse lockout rod is rotated sideways, or bent and binding on something. Some claim that removing the rod results in improved shifts. Might pay to pull the shifter and look for interference there. Some fresh grease probably wouldn't hurt anything either.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 2
From: Surprise Arizona
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Hendej)
I have checked the linkage rods, shift arms and bolts, all are tight and straight. The problem is nuetral will be adjusted perfectly for a while. After some power shifting it seems like something moved and made nuetral real tight. Then it will go back to normal for a while. I would think a linkage problem would be consistent. No?
I really hate to pull the seat out again and look at the shifter. I had it out when I installed the short throws. This problem seemed to have cropped up lately.
What bothers me most is trying to get in first when stopped. Sometimes I have to let the clutch out slightly to get it in first. Other times not? What does that sound like.
The trans was rebuilt by a less than reputable shop before I bought the car. The previous owner told me it got stuck in reverse once and he had it towed in and repaired. He said it had a broken gear. I looked in to the shop that did the work. They are kind of shady. I would not have taken a go cart to them myself. A clue maybe?
[Modified by Paul G, 6:58 AM 10/17/2001]
I really hate to pull the seat out again and look at the shifter. I had it out when I installed the short throws. This problem seemed to have cropped up lately.
What bothers me most is trying to get in first when stopped. Sometimes I have to let the clutch out slightly to get it in first. Other times not? What does that sound like.
The trans was rebuilt by a less than reputable shop before I bought the car. The previous owner told me it got stuck in reverse once and he had it towed in and repaired. He said it had a broken gear. I looked in to the shop that did the work. They are kind of shady. I would not have taken a go cart to them myself. A clue maybe?
[Modified by Paul G, 6:58 AM 10/17/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Paul G)
When you adjusted everything, did you install an indexing 'pin' through the shifter? This pin aligns the shifter perfectly in the neutral position so that you can adjust the linkage without moving the shifter. :flag
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 686
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From: Crystal Lake, IL USA
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Paul G)
If the reverse lockout rod is interfering it will affect the side to side motion in neutral - it may seem like the linkage adjustment changed. You can pull the rod out by just removing the shift **** if you want to check that out.
That said, when mine was near impossible to get into 1st, it turned out that two thrust washers had disintegrated and coated everything inside the T10 with fine metal powder. If there is a problem with the thrust washers, then maybe the shaft is changing position relative to the fork and *is* affecting where the gear engages. I didn't notice that happening, though. Good luck!
That said, when mine was near impossible to get into 1st, it turned out that two thrust washers had disintegrated and coated everything inside the T10 with fine metal powder. If there is a problem with the thrust washers, then maybe the shaft is changing position relative to the fork and *is* affecting where the gear engages. I didn't notice that happening, though. Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 12,109
Likes: 50
From: SW Michigan
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Hendej)
Id say go back through and make sure you did everything corectly Ive had my entire shifter removed from the car to clean it up and when I put it backin adjusted the linkage by inserting a homemade lock pin in the shifter to keep it in nutreal then adjusted it all.....My trany self destructed I couldnt shift out of reverse It wasnt fun 1500 in parts so Im sure youll be able to figure this one out :yesnod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 7,254
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From: Custer SD
Re: (Hendej)
Hey buddy, I got the 4 speed rebuilt and I'm about to button up the OD section and perform the 100psi test on it. Then I just gotta bolt her back together. Previous owner's mechanic already put a new clutch in and even installed a roller pilot bearing :)
Cruising
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Re: 88 4+3 gearbox problem? (Paul G)
I put in the short throw linkage, and every thing was fine for two years.
Then it began to get hard to put into first. My clutch was fine. I put the
stock linkage back, and the problem went away, and did not come back.
There is more leverage with the stock linkage...maybe GM knew what it was doing.
Then it began to get hard to put into first. My clutch was fine. I put the
stock linkage back, and the problem went away, and did not come back.
There is more leverage with the stock linkage...maybe GM knew what it was doing.
