Well, after about a month of trouble-free shifting, lastnight I shifted into 2nd. at about 3,000 on a VERY rough street, and all I got was about 3 seconds of LOUD grinding. What is it about rough streets and bumps that makes these trannys grind while shifting? What is actually going on when it grinds like this? It doesn't happen all the time, so I doubt it's my synchros...?

-AR

 

Few things to check here:

-- any leaks on the tranny at all? Get under and feel up behind the shifter, all around?

-- How is the tranny mount? can you push up on it and have some free play?

-- have you bleed the clutch lately? How many miles? Is it time for a new clutch?



Well if you have leaks, then you are down on fluid. Check that ASAP! There are also rubber plugs in the shift bores that may fall out. On my 4x4, there is a lip that holds them in, but they can come out about 1/2. These will also dry and crack, causing leaks. You can replace them with metal plugs if you have a body lift, take the interior out to get to them from the inside or if you ever pull the tranny:

Dana #219-3052 or Dorman #555-108, you will need 3 plugs to do the job

If the tranny mount is bad, replace it. That will cause all sorts of shift issues over uneven pavement. You can even get a urethane mount and not worry about it again.

Bleed the clutch if you have never done it. Remember that the brake fluid is clear, not black or coffee looking. Flush and bleed that thing with new fluid.

Other than that, I run Amsoil synthetic in mine and it smoothed out the shifts a bit. Especially on cold winter mornings it shifts as good cold as hot.