I've noticed lately that my transmission is being a little bit of a pain.

First off, its my first stick, and I know that standards are a bit of a pain when they are cold.

But even after warming up, there are a few problems I've noticed.

When going from first into second, it seems that the gear "grinds". It is hard to describe.

There usually isn't a griding noise, but I can feel a "pop" of resistance. But if I go from first to second

in a slow manner ( meaning I wait about two or three seconds before I shift ) it goes in without much problem.

Also, when going from second to third, it won't go. I have to sit in neutral, then push it in. Again, I have

to wait to get it in gear. Does this sound like a linkage problem, or does it sound like something more

serious?

first,check the fluid level. i would strongly recommend draining and filling with pennzoil sychromesh fluid(you can get it at autozone only). after you do that, you might notice it shifting better. you may,however, have a synchro going bad or maybe your cables out of adjustment.

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Keith
Topsail Beach,NC
86&87 Fiero GT
86&96 Corvette
04 Harley Davidson Softail
73 Lotus Europa Twin Cam
86 Lotus Turbo Esprit

"He who dies with the most toys wins!!!"

Of course you could have a clutch bleed problem I would do a bleed to see if this fixes problem at least temporary,,First gear grind with 4 speed normal.. but 5 speed should go in easily..With A gradual decline in shift quality, the first suspect is clutch on fiero if the problem came up fairly close together..Hopefully clutch!! easier than trans pull ,So try ajust & bleed first.. a search will bring methods such as slow bleed with front lifted..

Well I DO know for one thing it isn't the clutch.

Its got less than 10,000 miles on it, and I'm not THAT bad at stick

I'll try giving bleeds a search. If I end up not being able to do it, there is a Brownie's IT down

the road.

As suggested before, it sounds to me like the tranny may be low on fluid.
Usually, the first thing to happen to a Getrag (other than blowing the differential through the case) is that 3rd gear will start to grind.

The typical symptom of "needing a bleed" is that it won't go into 1st with the motor running, and won't go into reverse without grinding.
Also, the clutch will "catch" very close to the floor.

I just naturally thought you had check the fluid,,If you have not had a fiero very long clutch hydraulics are a constant pain,, check the various sites for proper bleed..if you bleed and it works for a while then problem comes back you will have to replace either the master or slave..87 and 88 need slow bleed,,,just search bleed clutch on forum.of course if fluid is low check for leak at seals or transmission joint..I did not mention that the clutch cluch releaselever also bends after 20 years or is worn at the release bearing and you lose travel but try the bleed first this is a very common problem.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: The typical symptom of "needing a bleed" is that it won't go into 1st with the motor running, and won't go into reverse without grinding. Also, the clutch will "catch" very close to the floor.

These are basically the exact problems I've got. Its a pain to get it to go into first along with reverse, al though it doesn't grind when it does go. And I have noticed it catches pretty low. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks.

So slight update.

Just got the car back from the transmission shop.

They replaced the master and slave cylinder, and when

I get out on the road, there isn't ANY DIFFERENCE in what there was before.

I couldn't take it back because I was there an hour after they closed,

( the machine wasn't taking my credit card and the guy was nice enough

to wait an hour trying to fix it ) so until tomorrow morning, I'm stuck with the same

problems, and a HUGE chunk of change gone from my wallet. My question

is, what exactly could this be? Bad synchro?

[This message has been edited by leppy_89 (edited 02-21-2008).]

You still have air in the system, they either did nothing, or just didnt bleed it good enough.

Read Archies Archism #1: Proper Clutch Bleeding "Forget what the manuals tell you". Click on Archisms in the lower left to access the page.

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: You still have air in the system, they either did nothing, or just didnt bleed it good enough. Read Archies Archism #1: Proper Clutch Bleeding "Forget what the manuals tell you". Click on Archisms in the lower left to access the page.

So you think they did a poor job of bleeding? I'm just concerned because I don't want to agree to the

charges, get it home, bleed it right and have it do nothing for me.

quote Originally posted by leppy_89: I'm just concerned because I don't want to agree to the charges, get it home, bleed it right and have it do nothing for me.

But you have home right now, dont you?

Im just telling you the most likely cause, you do what you feel is neccessary. Me? I would take it back.

Oh, yeah I have it now. Its just snowing like hell outside

and I've go no place to do the bleed. I'm taking it back

tomorrow for sure. I just didn't know if I should suggest

the Archie bleed procedure. Think that'd be a bad idea,

telling them how to do their job?

It wouldnt hurt to print it out and bring it with you. If they say anything just tell them you know the Fiero has a picky bleeding procedure that is unlike most cars, and you have a print-out if want to look it over.

Are you sure they installed a new MC and slave?

Ask them for your old parts, if they get mad then ask them for your money back

quote Originally posted by AutoTech: Are you sure they installed a new MC and slave?

Its what they had on the bill. I didn't really have a chance to look. Weather is too crappy and I

didn't feel like rummaging around.

Oh well !! The repair shop is not at fault ,of course they should know how to bleed any system,,but often will not know this esoteric procedure for fiero.,,unless a really old mechanic worked on your car??on the expense its 50/50,, of course I would want restitution or proper repair.. If you have a good strong push and the slave rod moves the correct distance they bled correctly.. there is a chance they do not know how to bleed a fiero ..follow the bleed advise on the forum..Remember"" we are guessing""?? our guess is based on solid past experience about fiero,s,Many of the posters here have many years of experience working on fiero, and have experienced the problem you have now or a very similar problem.It is possible you have a transmission problem also..But always try a clutch bleed first,, ,anything to do with a transmission pull is a pain .(expensive shop flat rate) .I have experienced the exact problem you have and it was a clutch bleed problem,, I did not know how to bleed the clutch at the time I had the problem..I have mucho grande(german term)auto & motorscooter experience ,,YET my first month on the forum was an education.. but still every week I learn on the forum..many master and slaves are replaced when not needed..

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 02-23-2008).]

Well, finally finished with the shop. I took it back, and the guy was glad

to take it back and see what the problem was. Well, they powerbled the

system, and they adjusted all the linkages. That STILL didn't solve the problem,

so I decided that maybe the transmission was low on fluid. So I drained it

and filled it with a Royal Purple GM Syncromesh equivalent, and sure enough,

take the thing out for a drive, and not a single problem anymore. Its a slight

bit of a pain when I first get in it, just because its so cold, but after a minute

letting it warm up, she runs like a dream. I never thought it would have been

as simple as a transmission fluid change, but with this car I get surprised more

and more everytime. Thanks for you all for your input, it really did help. And

one last thing...if ANYONE has shifter cables for an 87 Getrag 5spd, could

you give me a price shipped to 45429? The guy offered to throw cables in for

me free for my troubles, so I figured I'd hit him up for the free work

I have a brand new Rodney Dickman shift cable. It wont be cheap, but I'll give you a decent price. PM if interested.