Diagnosis Help

[ObiRichKanobi]

Ok...took a long drive with the Spider on Sunday, climbing up a 9000' mountain pass. Got to the top, stopped, and was unable to get the car into reverse while the engine was running. On the drive home, she started getting harder and harder to shift (especially down) to the point where I had to stop completely to get her into first. She would upshift without grinding, but it was hard and there was a definite "clunk" when it went into the gear.

Ok...so she has a slow (very slow) transmission leak. So tonight I changed out the fluid (was probably about a cup or so low, and a little dark (I use Pennzoil Synchomesh). Not much swarf on the plug. Refilled and took her for a spin, and she shifted ok, but was not a smooth as I'm used to. And I noticed that the clutch is releasing (engaging) almost as soon as I let up on the pedal. No evidence of slippage. So...am I looking at a new clutch in the not too distant future? Or could it be something else?

 

[Darrell_Walker]

I'd suspect the clutch hydraulics, sounds like you are barely getting enough travel to disengage.

 

[Dale]

Hi Guy! Glad to see that the good guys still drive black cars. As above I would check the clutch fluid and operation first. The Land Rover five speed is not stressed much in our Sevens. Mine was to have gone South 30,000 miles ago due to having been towed with the rear wheels on the ground in nuetral. Good Luck and let us know what you find.

 

[HerronScott]

I agree with Darrell. Sounds like a hydraulic issue to me as well.

Scott

 

[ObiRichKanobi]

I did check the clutch fluid and it was a bit low. Topped it off. Might have to break out the manual and see how you bleed it...

 

[TomMull]

Pull back the rubber outer seal on the slave too. If there is any fluid there rebuild or replace. Tom

 

[hondo402000]

usually when clutches go they start slipping when you get on it hard in first gear. not a sympton of hard shifting.