I'm having issues shifting in to first and reverse. Last year before the winter, I was having issues, but after shifting in the second, I was able to go in to first and reverse. Now, that's not even working.
When trying to go in to first, I have to fight it. Reverse, it's grinding. I can slam it in, but I can't keep doing that.
I've read the clutch pedal could be bent, the cables could be adjusted, or the slave cylinder could be bad. Could any of these solve my issues?
The slave cylinder was rebuilt, so I don't think that's the issue. The master cylinder has plenty of fluid. The clutch doesn't take much pressure to go to the floor, but I don't think I have air in lines.
If the clutch pedal is bent, is there a way to bend it back, or is it better just to purchase a new one?
I have pasted links to a few threads regarding clutch issues. I had a similar problem and tried most of the methods listed to bleed the system. I finally installed one of Rodney's slave cylinder kits and that fixed it for me. Not that I'm saying this is your problem, but it could be. Rodney's slave uses a two seal piston instead of the factory single seal. Mine was probably worn and I believe that it had an internal bleed. Since putting it on my clutch works great. You may want to have some with a small ruler or tape measure stand at the rear and measure the distance the clutch rod moves when you fully depress the clutch. I forget how far it should move ( 1 1/4"?). If it doesn't move much then at least you know you're dealing with a hydraulic issue.
I don't believe the 87 had the aluminum clutch pedal. I think it was already upgraded beginning in 86. First thing I would suspect is the select cable is beginning to go bad on you. If it were the hydraulics, you should have problems going into all gears. Even with hydraulics and cables in good operating condition, you will sometimes get grinding when going into reverse because reverse isn't synchronized like the forward gears.
