Hey guys. My transmission won't go into 1st gear from a dead stop. No grinds or anything, just feels like its "hitting a wall". The only way I can get it into 1st gear is by shifting into 2nd first... then popping it into 1st afterwards. Anyone have any technical advice they can give me before I tear down the transmission? I'm trying to theorize in my head the possibilities before I get into this.

Some Theories i've come up with.... Shift selector is not moving all the way to the left, pushing 1-2 gear fork and 3-4 fork up at the same time...
Would a bad Syncro or Sleeve cause cause it to feel like its "hitting a wall"? I'm thinking if it was a bad synchro or sleeve i would hear a bad grind while trying to put it in gear. True or False? Why so?
Would a Syncro ring thats worn or damaged cause the sleeve to get caught on the synchro not allowing it to engage in a gear?

I plan on tearing down the transmission which I know is the only way to diag the problem, just wanted to be ready for what to expect.
Thanks to whom took the time to read or answer my questions. Cheers!

 

I would start with what's easiest to check, the shift linkage. I used to have a hard time getting into 5th, and it too was like hitting a wall unless I did it just right.

Come to find out, one of the bolts had come out where the shift lever connects to the stabilizer, and the whole shifter was about to fall through the floor.