I have a 1985 with a V6. I have a hard time getting the shift to go into 1st gear most of the time and sometimes even other gears. Sometimes I have to play around before it will go in. Someone told me a long time ago that there was some kind of fork in tranny that may be bent and needs to be replaced with a 3rd party stainless steel one. Anyone know of any problems with this?

I don't drive this car. I have it in a garage for years and take it out once in a blue moon. I've always had this problem though. Has 26k on it. I want to fix it up and start driving it more now. I just ordered brakes and rotors for it from Fiero Store. I am thinking I might also need calipers, but not sure. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

Now I gotta tell ya though, the clutch/tranny problem you have has only been discussed here about two million times in the last eleven years.

Use the Search function here, works great.

quote Originally posted by bayridge: I have a 1985 with a V6. Has 26k on it. I am thinking I might also need calipers, but not sure. Thanks.

Did someone install a 5 speed? All 85's with the V-6 came with a 4 speed.

I would not replace 26K calipers with rebuild calipers. Rebuild your 26K calipers. Or send them to a rebuilder. You may be buying rebuilt calipers with over 200K on them. You never know what you are getting.

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Sounds like your clutch needs to be bled. There is a special procedure for this.

What symptoms lead you to believe that your car requires caliper overhaul/replacement?

Follow these rules to search function

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/098011.html

quote Originally posted by Robert 2: Then what is the procedure ?

What I've had good luck with in the past is a two step procedure:
1) Gravity bleed- with the car level, completely remove the bleed screw from the slave cylinder. Keep the cap off the master and keep replenishing it until brake fluid runs out of the clutch slave bleeder hole clear and free of bubbles. When you get to this point, temporarily put the bleeder screw back in and grab some needle-nose Vice-Grips or similar.

2) Now take the bleeder all the way out again. Grab the pushrod for the slave cylinder (Vice-Grips help) and fully compress the pushrod all the way back in the slave. This will free any last remaining air pockets in the slave. Be careful when you do this, as the fluid likes to spray in your face if you don't put something over the bleeder orifice while compressing. While holding the pushrod all the way in, put the bleeder back in tight and S-L-O-W-L-Y release the pushrod, emphasizing slowly, so that the slave draws fluid from the master, as opposed to "sucking air" past the slave cylinder seals.

[This message has been edited by KurtAKX (edited 04-09-2010).]

Thank you .

Welcome to the Pennocks Fiero Forum!!

Since it sets still most of the time I would check my clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder for leaks or seepage.
For the master, look inside behind the pedal for the rod. See the rubber boot? Pop it off the end and look for fluid.
Same thing for the slave, On the end nearest the rear of the engine block, the slave should also have a rubber end where the rod connects at the end of the slave. Peel it back and check for fluid.
If you find fluid at either location replace part, flush and bleed system.

As for the brakes, check your rubber hoses. They are 25 years old and I would replace them just because and then check my brakes for proper function.

Add to this that if you're putting on a new master cylinder make sure you bench bleed it before you put it on the car. Do it slowly and let it "rest" every 5 or 6 strokes. Keeping doing it until there is NO AIR out the clear tube. Then put the MC Cap on and put it on the car, hook up your lines, then follow the below procedure. I personally don't gravity bleed anymore, but if it works for you keep doing it (it works for me, just takes too long).

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by KurtAKX: What I've had good luck with in the past is a two step procedure: 1) Gravity bleed- with the car level, completely remove the bleed screw from the slave cylinder. Keep the cap off the master and keep replenishing it until brake fluid runs out of the clutch slave bleeder hole clear and free of bubbles. When you get to this point, temporarily put the bleeder screw back in and grab some needle-nose Vice-Grips or similar. 2) Now take the bleeder all the way out again. Grab the pushrod for the slave cylinder (Vice-Grips help) and fully compress the pushrod all the way back in the slave. This will free any last remaining air pockets in the slave. Be careful when you do this, as the fluid likes to spray in your face if you don't put something over the bleeder orifice while compressing. While holding the pushrod all the way in, put the bleeder back in tight and S-L-O-W-L-Y release the pushrod, emphasizing slowly, so that the slave draws fluid from the master, as opposed to "sucking air" past the slave cylinder seals.

Ok genius, how about a clue as to what words to use in search so I can find one of the 2 million times this has been discussed? I tried a few, gears stick, manual transmission hard to work, can't get into first gear. It's Surprising how something discussed 2 millions times can't be found in a search. So if you can't give a little help, just don't say anything and let someone else who has a clue answer the question.

quote Originally posted by bayridge: Ok genius, how about a clue as to what words to use in search so I can find one of the 2 million times this has been discussed? I tried a few, gears stick, manual transmission hard to work, can't get into first gear. It's Surprising how something discussed 2 millions times can't be found in a search. So if you can't give a little help, just don't say anything and let someone else who has a clue answer the question.

I tried "Hard shift" (no quotation) and came up with a bunch. Hope this helps

Also, a less defensive and aggressive approach here will do worlds for someone that is looking for help. A little constructive criticism never hurt anyone.

[This message has been edited by katore8105 (edited 04-10-2010).]

Wow!

quote Originally posted by bayridge: Ok genius, how about a clue as to what words to use in search so I can find one of the 2 million times this has been discussed? I tried a few, gears stick, manual transmission hard to work, can't get into first gear. It's Surprising how something discussed 2 millions times can't be found in a search. So if you can't give a little help, just don't say anything and let someone else who has a clue answer the question.

Wow! (x2)

Seriously, if you aren't capable of finding one thread here on your own which addresses difficult shifting, then I'm afraid you're in no condition to be working on your car.

Here is a good one from just recently.

1st Gear Trouble

When I had this problem, I just adjusted my shift linkage, and now it shifts smoother than it did when it was new.