This poor damn car...

98 Civic DX, S40 transmission housing. After a transmission overhaul and re-installation, the stick was hard to the left (1/2 position) and refused to move to the right, but would shift up and down into 5/R. Disconnected the shift linkage, realigned everything, reconnected, and now I have the H from 1-4, but no 5/R. 1-4 are in their normal positions. Bushings are all brand new, and there only about 2mm of play in the stick, so I know it isn't a bushing issue. The stick will go to the middle 3/4 position, but absolutely REFUSES to move to the right for 5/R.

The only thing that I changed after the transmission came back to me was removing a copper washer on the Interlock Guide Bolt (#26, if you have the service manual) inside the bell housing. According to the service manual, there shouldn't be a washer there, just Hondabond which I added. Also, with the washer there, the bolt head won't clear my pressure plate.

Anyone have some advice? What the hell am I missing? Unfortunately, the service manual doesn't have a troubleshooting page for something like this.

 

Who did the overhaul? Talk with them.

 

Did you make sure the interlock was lined up properly before you put the guide bolt in? You can make a mess of them if the slot isn't lined up with the threaded hole the bolt goes in.

 

The interlock bolt threads only appear to go as deep as the bell house casing, not all the way in. I didn't read my service manual when removing the bolt (stupid me) so I just pulled it out, removed the copper ring, and put it back in. It didn't look like anything moved, but I could be wrong.

I'll drop the transmission again and try to line everything up when I remove and replace that bolt. Is the Interlock Guide Bolt supposed to be shimmed? Is there anything else I should look for when I replace it?

 

I once did an ISB replacement on my civic and accidentally put the reverse gear upside down...couldnt get into reverse at all, but not entirely sure about 5th. Might consider looking into that if all else fails.

Good luck!

 

They go through the case, that pointed end of the bolt though, it fits in a slot. If the slot isn't lined up though it'll drive the bolt into the shift change mechanism and screw things up. Remove the bolt and look in, if you see marks where the bolt was driven into the shift change mechanism you'll need to pull the tranny apart and replace it.

The bolt isn't supposed to be shimmed. Maybe just take some good pics when it's apart and post them.