1986 2.9 5spd manual stiff to shift in to 2nd when cold

[beerhunter]

Hi good people.

As per the title, 2nd gear is stiff when cold. It is only that gear, and only for a very short distance until (presumably) there is some heat in there. I live in an urban area, and by the time I have stopped and pulled away from 2 or 3 junctions the problem is gone.

I recently changed the clutch, but that was (a) very drawn-out, and (b) during a heatwave, so I honestly can't remember if this was a problem before then. I topped up the gearbox oil after the clutch change, with the standard stinky gear oil. The clutch fluid level is fine. In all other respects, the trans works fine, with no issues in any other gear.

Given that it is only when cold, I wonder if it would benefit from a thinner oil? Or is this one of those quirks one must live with when driving older vehicles?

Or have I stuffed something up???

Many thanks!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If its only 2nd i doubt its clutch related.

Is it grinding or popping out of gear at all? Or just stiff?

Also is it the toyo kogyo or mitsu trans?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The newer trans used the red auto trans fluid in the manuals, not gear oil. That's why Rusty was asking which trans you have

 

[beerhunter]

Hi

Thanks for replying. It's the FM145 with overdrive. It had got gear oil in there when I took it apart, and I refilled it with the same stuff as I believe that's the correct spec. (on paper).

It doesn't pop out of gear. It doesn't audibly grind, but feels like it's close to grinding, if that makes sense. But once warmed up, it feels (and behaves) fine.

Thanks

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Hi

Thanks for replying. It's the FM145 with overdrive. It had got gear oil in there when I took it apart, and I refilled it with the same stuff as I believe that's the correct spec. (on paper).

It doesn't pop out of gear. It doesn't audibly grind, but feels like it's close to grinding, if that makes sense. But once warmed up, it feels (and behaves) fine.

Thanks

Hmm....sounds like either A) maybe the shifter bushing is getting bad....is the stick sloppy? Or B) you have a syncro going out....in which case you might as well see it through to the end cause to replace that you have to open it up anyways

 

[beerhunter]

Thanks for the reply. The stick is a bit sloppy, but that may just be because it's approx 6 feet long! Seriously, why are they always so long in trucks/4x4s??? However, I have arms like a monkey, so perhaps I should just shut up.

I'll look in to the shifter bushing. If not, I'll start saving for a rebuild.

Thanks again.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Thanks for the reply. The stick is a bit sloppy, but that may just be because it's approx 6 feet long! Seriously, why are they always so long in trucks/4x4s??? However, I have arms like a monkey, so perhaps I should just shut up.

I'll look in to the shifter bushing. If not, I'll start saving for a rebuild.

Thanks again.

Your shifter is 6 feet long? If someone made some sort of "suicide shifter" like some guys run in semis id be changing it back to stock. The added weight ia hard on stuff.

or were you trying to make a point? Lol

 

[beerhunter]

Sorry, I was being silly. But they do seem to be longer than necessary, in all the various trucks I have owned.

 

[AndyB.]

I’ve had good luck with the Red Line MT-90 lubricant in manual transmissions.

 

[Shran]

I would try running some other lube in it... GL-5 gear lube is not good for it anyway. I tried straight 90w GL-4 and it was very hard to shift in cold weather. Best I have tried to date is Valvoline Synchromesh MTF - $10/quart at O'Reilly. Nice smooth shifts regardless of the temp outside.

 

[4x4prepper]

This was 20 something years ago when I lived up north (Taxachusetts) and I solved the problem by going full synthetic gear lube. Then it shifted fine. I did the rear end too and ended up getting 1+ MPG more after doing both.