88 GT shifter select cable "sticky" (Page 1/1)
06GTO APR 15, 08:39 PM

Picked up a very nice '88 GT today. 5 speed. Drove it home (it has been a while since I drove a manual Fiero). Two issues with the trans:

1) Shifter is "sticky" moving it side to side. I don't remember my '86 GT being sticky (it was a 4 speed with ~120K). Of course I've done some searching and came up with:
a) cracked shifter - pulled the cover and didn't see any, but I'll check again
b) cable routing is incorrect - car has roughly 60K miles and is mint - they looked correct
c) bad select cable - since the select cable is routed by the exhaust I understand they tend to get hot/melt/ect

2) the GT didn't like going into 4th gear at all. It'd go from 3rd to 4th occasionally, but 5th to 4th just grinded

Anyone have any thoughts? Before I drop a hundred bucks and a few hours on replacing the select cable, hoping someone might have some advice.

For #4 griding away, I'm going to change the getrag fluid, just to make sure. When I checked the dipstick, it seemed a bit low, so gonna do the new "used" car fluid change thing (which I'd do anyways).

Thanks in advance.

Raydar APR 15, 09:43 PM
Shouldn't be grinding gears at 60K. Especially 4th. (Getrags usually grind 3rd when they start to wear, IIRC.)
I would go ahead and swap out the fluid to synchromesh. See what happens.
With that low mileage, it might just need to be driven.

I pulled out my select cable, hung it from one end, and kept squeezing "household oil" (little squeeze bottle with a flexible tip that pulls out) into it. Worked it back and forth. Did this several times over a period of a few days.
It finally started dripping out the far end. Moved almost as easily as a new "Rodney" cable, after that.
Patrick APR 15, 09:43 PM

quote
Originally posted by 06GTO:

Shifter is "sticky" moving it side to side. I don't remember my '86 GT being sticky (it was a 4 speed with ~120K).



The select cable for the 5-spd Getrag is a known problem. There actually was a FSB regarding proper routing of the cable... but the other issue is rainwater working it's way into the transmission end of it. Have a look at the way it's positioned and it's not difficult to understand the problem. Water gets in there and corrosion begins. Makes it much more difficult to slide, to say nothing of the huge nuisance in winter when water in the cable freezes solid and the cable won't move at all.

Rodney Dickman's shift/select cables are top of the line.

Gall757 APR 15, 11:04 PM
You can detach the cable at both ends and see how it slides back and forth without removing it from the car. You should be able to slide it back and forth easily with one finger.

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 04-16-2018).]

fierogt28 APR 17, 01:24 AM

quote
Originally posted by Gall757:

You can detach the cable at both ends and see how it slides back and forth without removing it from the car. You should be able to slide it back and forth easily with one finger.




fierosound APR 17, 09:11 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

There actually was a FSB regarding proper routing of the cable...



Getrag 5-speed cable routing.
http://www.meisners.net/Fiero/TSB/TSB88714.htm


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06GTO APR 17, 06:18 PM
Thanks everyone, great advice!


quote
Originally posted by Gall757:

You can detach the cable at both ends and see how it slides back and forth without removing it from the car. You should be able to slide it back and forth easily with one finger.




Something so simple I didn't even think of it. Once I detached it, I could hardly move it. So yea, the cable is the issue! I have a Rodney one for my '88 coupe project in hand and it's so smooth.



quote
Originally posted by Raydar:

I pulled out my select cable, hung it from one end, and kept squeezing "household oil" (little squeeze bottle with a flexible tip that pulls out) into it. Worked it back and forth. Did this several times over a period of a few days.
It finally started dripping out the far end. Moved almost as easily as a new "Rodney" cable, after that.



That's a good thought. Might have to give it a try.



quote
Originally posted by Raydar:

Shouldn't be grinding gears at 60K. Especially 4th. (Getrags usually grind 3rd when they start to wear, IIRC.)
I would go ahead and swap out the fluid to synchromesh. See what happens.
With that low mileage, it might just need to be driven.




My 4th gear "issue" seemed to fix it self. Between being low on fluid (still changing the fluid completely though), a bad select cable, and operator error, it should be GTG.


Thanks everyone for the help! This car is so clean it is amazing.

[This message has been edited by 06GTO (edited 04-17-2018).]

stickpony APR 20, 05:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by 06GTO:

Thanks everyone, great advice!
My 4th gear "issue" seemed to fix it self. Between being low on fluid (still changing the fluid completely though), a bad select cable, and operator error, it should be GTG.


Thanks everyone for the help! This car is so clean it is amazing.




awesome.. glad its fixed.. i see you are an '06 GTO owner as well My car is PBM M6, red interior... you?

[This message has been edited by stickpony (edited 04-20-2018).]

06GTO APR 20, 08:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by stickpony:


awesome.. glad its fixed.. i see you are an '06 GTO owner as well My car is PBM M6, red interior... you?




SRM w/18's. Black interior. Bought it new and love it!