nice_tan

Hey guys so I got few questions to ask and any suggestions would be appreciated. Got a 2000 ITR with 77k mi stock.

So the issue happened yesterday evening when I took the car out to a nearby gas station to fill up the tank. Now, keep in mind that I don't drive the car often. Maybe once or twice a week and the car has 77k miles. I recently changed my clutch probably in Feb? I can't remember but its around there. So I drove it normal speed 20-30 mph on a local neighborhood. Stop by gas station and everything was ok. After a fill up, started back up and put it in gear. Normal. Then when I tried to reverse, it didn't pop in. Put back in first then tried popping back in reverse again. No go after that, **** became bad. The whole gear would not shift in. Could not put in first, second, third, reverse, etc. Pretty much, I can twirl the shifter in circle like it has no gears. Can't put in 1-2-3-4-5-r gears. I can drive the car (drive forward only) and it feels like it is stuck in first gear. BUT everytime I move forward, I can hear loud grinding on the transmission. Like if you put metal on a blender. Well, at this point, I know I'm fucked. I live about 1-2 miles away so I just carefully drove it home and every grind I hear, hurts me dearly. Called a mechanic I knew and he told me that it sounds like my shift fork broke. He's pretty certain but he wants me to bring the car in to get it inspected. Definitely will need to get it towed. Anyone experienced this???

So I did a lot of thinking. Hopefully my new clutch isn't messed up and can be reused. If the shift fork is broken, I can buy new one and get it replaced but I'm worried that other stuff might have been damaged from all the grinding.

Options:
Should I rebuild the transmission? How much would that be? And what do I need?

Or should I just replace it with a new transmission? How much would that be? Anyone got one?

Thanks again.

2000FBPITR

iTrader: (5)

The same thing happened to a friend of mine's Transmission, but I believe it was the shift rod broke or something of that nature. Jack up the car and see if the linkage is attached firmly. And you should have towed it home... SMH AAA is mandatory!

nice_tan

Yeah I know, I should have. Got frustrated and obviously wasn't thinking.

nice_tan

I just remembered... Didn't bring my cell with me at that moment. Didn't think a quick fill up would end like this.

CW-ITR

iTrader: (11)

I have read stories like yours before and most causes are due to the clutch failure like broken "finger(s) on the pressure plate...Good luck.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a broken shift-rod to me. Should be easy to diagnose if you get under the car. Especially if you have a friend in the car to move the shift lever around.

nice_tan

man... I really hope it is the shift rod. Was eventually going to upgrade shift rod, bushing, and lever.
Anyone know a reputable mechanic around MD area? My mechanic been busy so it may take some time for him to be available.
Thanks guys

tamboo

Mechanics Files | Car Talk

also try yelp.

BlueTeg

iTrader: (2)

Wouldn't explain why he can move the shifter in circle motion.
My money is that it's related to the shift linkage.

nice_tan

ding ding ding! Ok so I haven't seen my car in about a week. Been busy but after further research and suggestions from you geniuses, I went to go look at my car. And sure enough... when I look at the bottom of the car, the SHIFT LINKAGE was hanging on the ground! Dunno how (bad bushing? loose bolt?) but I'm actually kind of relief. Now I know what the issue is.

Any recommendation on upgrades? I might as well do it right since I need to get it fix. upgrade linkage? or keep the same? upgrade bushing? I'm also thinking K-Tune shifter too. Any suggestions is appreciated. Thanks guys!

coolhandluke

iTrader: (2)

I would keep it simple. Replace the shift linkage and bushings. I wouldn't throw in any other variables.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Don't just "replace the linkage". Figure out why it's hanging down. Perhaps a bolt just fell off, or a washer that holds it in place is missing. There could be lots of reasons. Look at the parts diagram for your car on a site like oemacuraparts.com and figure out exactly what went wrong.

Here is a link:
http://www.oemacuraparts.com/auto-pa...ift-lever-scat

If nothing is obviously broken, I would suspect a missing 30, 16, 28, 25 or 26 in that order.

nice_tan

Yup, ordered bunch of parts few days ago. Didn't want this to come back to me so I went ahead and ordered; 30, 16, 17, 28, 1, 8, 11, 10, 25, 23, new linkage (54201-ST7-R00/54301-SR3-G00), ES bushing, and Ktuned pro circuit shifter

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Poly bushings are no good...

2000FBPITR

iTrader: (5)

Ugh.... Well I hope you inspected the linkage? You never know if the case cracked? something broke on the tranny side? Just don't do things blindly. words of advice. KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO. It could be just a simple bolt got loose and the linkage fell? a pin came out? You should have inspected further.

markpaco

iTrader: (1)

I suggest adding some Loctite to the transmission stabilizer bolt (pc. 30). I've had that bolt come out several times on me on different cars over the last 18 years. There is no lockwasher to help keep the bolt in and it is subjected to a lot of vibration.

Heck, someone even happened to take a picture of my car when the parts fell off!

nice_tan

markpaco - haha! thanks for the advice, yeah I was debating on loctiting it or not but thats re-assuring. I'll do that.

94eg! - Poly bushing is no good?! Really? I've read many reviews on forums etc. Many had said it's a good cheap upgrade and more durable than oem?

2000FBPITR - I agree but at this point, I know for a fact that the shift linkage is not connected. It's probably the bolt that fell off. So I might as well start from there. Parts should come in today and hopefully get the car to my mechanic in a few days so he can check any other issues. Until then, I'll pray that there is nothing else.

94eg!

iTrader: (2)

Well.....that photo I posted is of the exact bushing you will be installing so.....

aw614

Not sure if it is any better, but I am using the mfactory/hardrace hpv bushing for the shifter instead of the poly piece, its a two piece bushing so it was fairly easy to install.