[blkfir]

Hey there.

I finished the timing chains so now I've moved on to another issue that's driving me crazy and is getting worse.
When at a stop, sometimes I can't shift into first or second gear.
The issue is worse if I coast to a stop in neutral rather than downshifting.
One occasion I got pissed and try to force it in. I swear I could feel the entire transmission move but it would not go into gear.
It seems to be worse after the truck has heated up.
Seems worse after I changed the transmission fluid, though I did not drive the truck very much before the change. I used OE oil purchased my local dealership.

I tried searching the site but haven't come up with much.
I've it described to a couple people and here are their opinions.
Bushing in the bottom of the shifter itself.
Linkage binding, though upon researching it seems there is no linkage because it's a rod type. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I've driven many manual transmission vehicles and this is the first time I've ever had any issues. That being said, I'm not on the up and up concerning clutches and whatnot. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, you guys like pictures, so here are the old guides and new grill ::laugh::

 

[robj80]

Not sure if applies to the frontier but on my old nissan had the same issue. First I checked the slave movement which was good so it wasn't a hydraulic issue. Next I checked to see if it will shift with the vehicle off. It shifted fine which means it was not linkage issue. That vehicle had the rods too. After that it's in the transmission or bellhousing. So I dropped the transmission and found two broken clips and a busted throw out bearing. I put in some new parts and she was good as new.

 

[shift_RUSH]

Actual transmission & motor mounts intact?

 

[blkfir]

Not sure if applies to the frontier but on my old nissan had the same issue. First I checked the slave movement which was good so it wasn't a hydraulic issue. Next I checked to see if it will shift with the vehicle off. It shifted fine which means it was not linkage issue. That vehicle had the rods too. After that it's in the transmission or bellhousing. So I dropped the transmission and found two broken clips and a busted throw out bearing. I put in some new parts and she was good as new.

I'll have to do a search after work for slave movement. Now that you mention it, I don't think it's been an issue when the truck was off.

Actual transmission & motor mounts intact?

I will check as soon as I can. It'll be dark and possibly raining by the time I get home.


Thanks

 

[blkfir]

So I haven't had a chance to check anything out yet, but I got another opinion if anyone would care to weigh in;

"Clutch discs wear over time and GENERALLY get thinner.
SOMETIMES the disc fails in a manner which makes it thicker. This results in the rotating flywheel always lightly contacting the disc which then causes it to rotate and it is [also] lightly contacting the pressure plate, which, in turn, causes the internal gears of trans to rotate and Negates the synchronizers from being able to effectively ‘synchronize’ the shaft speeds; which is necessary to shift from one gear to another." The middle layer of the disc may have overheated and gotten wavy.

The guy is an ASE certified mechanic and generally hits the issue right on the nose, but something just doesn't quite add up. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[murphy]

Also, since it is a hydraulic system maybe you have air trapped in the line. Could be worth bleeding it. Like brakes. They use the same reservoir. This could be keeping you from getting a full throw when you depress the pedal.

 

[blkfir]

Took the shifter out.
Bushing looks ok. Looks like mud got in at one point.
Both rubber boots are torn which probably explains the cab smell.

Question. How high should the transmission fluid be? When I changed it I just filled it until it ran out of the fill hole. Looking down into the tranny I would think the fluid should be high enough to reach where the end of the shifter bushing goes in. I dont know the exact terminology.

 

[JeniorNV]

Question. How high should the transmission fluid be? When I changed it I just filled it until it ran out of the fill hole. Looking down into the tranny I would think the fluid should be high enough to reach where the end of the shifter bushing goes in. I dont know the exact terminology.

You filled it to the correct level.

I just replaced my shifter, and bushing on the end of the one I removed was coated in oil. Was yours not? If it was dry, maybe you should recheck the fluid level.

 

[blkfir]

You filled it to the correct level.

I just replaced my shifter, and bushing on the end of the one I removed was coated in oil. Was yours not? If it was dry, maybe you should recheck the fluid level.

Thanks for responding. It was oily so it's probably ok.

 

[wickedklown]

Yes when the friction material is no longer glued and riveted to the metal friction disc it will "drag" and not want to shift properly mainly 1st and reverse is where you would notice it the most. Simce the fluid level is fine and the quality is fine the only other thing could be the throw out bearing has compressed but you would notice a strange noise when you press the clutch pedal. I know on the 240SX the clutch fork itself would bend when a stronger pressure plate was used. Since it shifts fine with the engine off that rules out internal transmission damage

 

[blkfir]

Yes when the friction material is no longer glued and riveted to the metal friction disc it will "drag" and not want to shift properly mainly 1st and reverse is where you would notice it the most. Simce the fluid level is fine and the quality is fine the only other thing could be the throw out bearing has compressed but you would notice a strange noise when you press the clutch pedal. I know on the 240SX the clutch fork itself would bend when a stronger pressure plate was used. Since it shifts fine with the engine off that rules out internal transmission damage

I am getting some noise from the throwout bearing. Damn.
Thanks for the info though.