Hard Shifting

[oldsaber]

My 1948 Dodge is fluid drive.  The main issue is it is becoming very hard to shift, especially into 3rd gear, it grinds.  It is now at a transmission shop where they say a problem is "slop" in the linkage.  Would this cause the grinding & hard shifting or would it more than likely be the synchronize-rs?  Thanks

[Plymouthy Adams]

if you question their analysis, why is the car still at their shop?

[52dodge]

My 1948 Dodge is fluid drive.  The main issue is it is becoming very hard to shift, especially into 3rd gear, it grinds.  It is now at a transmission shop where they say a problem is "slop" in the linkage.  Would this cause the grinding & hard shifting or would it more than likely be the synchronize-rs?  Thanks

does it slightly grind then go into gear or does it not wanna go into gear at all? does it help any shifting at different rpms?

[oldsaber]

It grinds slightly going into 2nd and does not want to go into 3rd, rpms does not seem to matter much.

It's not I do not trust their analysis(the trans shop), I just wanted forum input to add to my knowledge.

[52dodge]

It grinds slightly going into 2nd and does not want to go into 3rd, rpms does not seem to matter much.It's not I do not trust their analysis(the trans shop), I just wanted forum input to add to my knowledge.

is this a new issue that just started or has it been getting worse over time?

[oldsaber]

It has been getting worse over time.

[greg g]

My first thought might be that the clutch is dragging due to wear of the friction disc, poor adjustment.  If it doesn't completely release, the input shaft is being turned, that prevents the synchros from doing their job, stopping it completely to allow grind free shifts.  Their are adjusters for the clutch as well as for the linkage, enough to allow for some aging issues.  I would think a decent shop would start their before talking about internal repairs.  These transmissions are like cockroaches in their survivability quotient, internal repairs are usually only necessary if its been run dry or otherwise severely abused.  

 

 

You do know not to use trans lubricants made for modern hypoid gear transmissions.  The additive package is not good for bronze and brass.  The stuff the synchros, balker discs, and bushings are made from.

Edited April 11, 2013 by greg g

[DLK]

You do know not to use trans lubricants made for modern hypoid gear transmissions.  The additive package is not good for bronze and brass.  The stuff the synchros, balker discs, and bushings are made from.

Your comment has me worried.  I was having grinding when shifting from 2nd to 3rd on my 50 Dodge with a standard three speed behind a fluid drive unit. I had a local repair shop replace the transmission lube a couple years ago.  For about a year the grinding stopped but it's back.  The car will shift from 2nd to 3rd ok it's just I have to pause and shift slowly if I don't want it to grind.  Since I plan to pull the drive train and have the engine rebuilt I suppose I should address this issue.  I guess my first step is to find out what the shop used.