I read a ton of information after searching.

There was a short shifter installed in my vehicle before I bought it.
It feels really loose. You know how when you're in neutral you can pull the shifter side to side?
That feels really loose. Also when in gear, you can move the shifter side to side about a whole inch.

It's hard to get into gear. Pumping the clutch doesn't work. I bled the clutch also.

So far I had problems getting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and reverse.
3rd and 4th feels like it doesn't want to go in and grinds when I force it in.

5th gear never noticed any problems.
Clutch feels loose.
ECT comes up on CEL (probably not significant)

Clutch grabs really low on the pedal.

PLEASE HELP ME! I MIGHT BE BUYING A CLUTCH KIT TODAY BUT DON'T WANT TO BUY IT FOR NOTHING! (Don't want to drop the trans more than once)

 

probably bad synchros...rebuild ur tranny or get a new one...thats what i have to do and im having kinda the same problems as u

 

is it normal for it to sometimes be super smooth? Then other times won't go in/out?

 

Shifter is probably loose from shifter bushings or your shift change assembly inside the transmission. I'd try some new bushings since they're cheap.

Grinds are probably from your synchros.

Is this is a hydraulic tranny? Have you tried bleeding the system?

 

I havent tried bleeding the system.

I thought it was the clutch so I got a new clutch. Awaiting for it in the mail.
Will keep posted.

 

While you have the transmission out, try test shifting it on the bench to see if the shift assembly feels sloppy.

 

This sounds like a damper spring jamming.
I am suprised no one mentioned that you may just have a worn damper spring on the friction disk.
The stamped shell tends to wear on the friction disk, when it gets too weak a torsional dampening spring will pop out partially jamming between the friction disk and the pressure plate causing the EXACT symptoms you are describing.
If the transmission shift into gear easily with engine off but is shifts like a **** when running you probably have a clutch proplem. Also try putting the car in 1st gear and start the engine while holding the clutch in, Does the car feel like it wants to lurch forward, again clutch problem
This is a very common problem with higher mileage cars that are driven enthusiastically!!

 

I don't even know what a damper spring is.

Any pictures? Diagrams?

Thanks for all the help I will be replacing my clutch tomorrow.

 

When you look at the clutch disk you will probably see 4 springs sandwiched in the metal bits in the middle. The purpose of those springs is to smothen out the engagement of the clutch as you release it. They dampen the shock of engagment and keep the car from shaking so to speak.

Good luck tommorow

 

Dropped the transmission today.
Clutch was badly worn out. So bad that the lil metal things on the pads are shaved.

Flywheel needs resurfacing.

Anyways, I have a question...

Earlier I said how my shifter was loosely going side to side even in gear.
Well I had a look at the shift extension. It moves losely where it connects at the fork. Side to side... Aren't there suppose to be bushings in there?

Also the upper ball where it sits on the floor, that part is moving loosely also. The boot thing that goes there is ripped. What can I do? Is there suppose to be a bushing there too?

 

Okay I just looked here and it turns out most likely it's the shifter bushings on the stabilizer bar.

Also my bolt on the T end of the stabilizer bar doesn't look like the one in the picture.
It doesn't have that bulge on the stud to keep the end of the shifter from going side to side.

I guess I could use a ton of walshers?

 

buuuump