Hey whats up everyone, I have been borrowing a friends car since I recently totaled my 1996 Hatch. Its a 92 RS with 178,XXX on the clock, pretty much stock just suspension and basic bolt ons.

As of last night I was leaving my Police Academy and the car was very hard to engage in 1st gear. Upon take off the motor was slightly shaking, as if the clutch was slipping and motor started to slightly buck. Any other gear change was normal and the clutch did not slip in the higher rpm's. Occasionally it would give me a problem trying to down shift or shift gear (not wanting to go into gear, I had to muscle it in gear). Every time I came to a complete stop I'd feel a little shake through the steering column and panicked getting it into gear before traffic started moving.

I already informed my buddy of the problem, any input from you guys would be such a relief.

Thanks,
Billy

 

If it can go into gear just fine when the car is off but when it is on it Wont go into Gear at all it is your Clutch. Also Check Motor Mounts.

 

I was thinking it was the clutch, considering its got almost 180K on a stock clutch. Thanks for the input