difficulty shifting/downshifting-BJ-7

[robert_ellison]

I am having difficulty shifting, especial\y into 1st gear and also downshifting into 2nd & 1st gear. Any likely reasons for this?

 

[Randy Forbes]

1st isn't synchronized, and should only be engaged at a complete standstill. It also helps to pull the lever part-way into 2nd before pushing forward into 1st gear.

Difficulty with the other gears could be as simple as your technique, like blipping the throttle to match engine speed with road speed for any given gear.

Or there could be mechanical problems, but that would be more likely shifting both up and down.

 

[Johnny]

I am having difficulty shifting, especial\y into 1st gear and also downshifting into 2nd & 1st gear. Any likely reasons for this?

I can only add to Randy's post, check two other items. Make sure there's adequate oil in the transmission, and check that the hydraulic clutch plunger is operating correctly.

 

[Genos2]

How's she shift into reverse? Might check for air in clutch lines & make sure clutch disengages completely. cheers Genos2

 

[robert_ellison]

thanks for the replies. Where is the hydraulic clutch plunger? at the clutch or on the firewall? I also notice that when starting the car with the clutch all the way to the floor the car tends to move forward a bit. The clutch has been bled.
How can I tell if it has disengaged fully?

 

[Johnny]

thanks for the replies. Where is the hydraulic clutch plunger? at the clutch or on the firewall? I also notice that when starting the car with the clutch all the way to the floor the car tends to move forward a bit. The clutch has been bled.
How can I tell if it has disengaged fully?

<span style="color: #FF0000">The plunger is attached to the lower bellhousing on the passenger side</span>. It can be seen near the starter. To verify the plunger is working properly you need to raise the car up and put on jackstands, then have someone operate the clutch pedal while you look under the car near the starter. <span style="color: #FF0000">It should travel about 1-1/2"</span>. If it doesn't it needs to be bled. There's a bleed screw on top of the hydraulic clutch. <span style="color: #FF0000">BTW it's called the slave cylinder.</span>

 

[Randy Forbes]

It's not uncommon for the clevis pin and pushrod to become quite worn; with severely elongated holes combined with a worn pin, you lose a lot of effective travel.

 

[BlueRidge1]

Robert,

I was having a problem shifting into second and first gear and woul hear a squealing sound when I would push in the clutch. I knew the only thing that I failed to replace when I replaced the clutch was the pilot shaft bushing located in the end of the crankshaft. I pulled the transmission and cluth assemby and beplaced the bushing ($ 5.00 part) and it stopped the noise and now shifts into all gears. I do agree that is best to put the lever into second prior to puting it into first, it makes it shift into first a lot smoother. Actually this job is not very difficult to do and inexpensive.
I just came back from a drive in my Healey this morning.
Bob