just been out for a drive and.....

[james280779]

having real issues selecting any gear. Its almost as if first and fifth are hiding, 7/10 times fifth isnt there and I end up in thrd. Almost everytime when stationary I got third instead of first and its real clunky going into other gears. Once I actually got it into gear it was absolutely fine - smooth and didnt pop out.

Now is this likely to be a selector issue or the gearbox itself. its never been completely smooth but these gearboxes dont tend to be, I had the gearbox oil changed about 200 miles ago (if that) - could this be a possibility?

its a 1985 911 3.2 with a 915 box.

thanks

[Henry-F]

It would certainly be a starting point but there could be a number of reasons for your problems. Correct diagnosis needs very specific fault evaluation. "Clunky" is a bit vague I'm afraid

Get the car to a good specialist and let them sort it out for you. Consider having it recovered rather than driven so as not to do any more damage than is necessary.

Henry

[larrylamb11]

Sounds like shift coupling to me. The replacement bushes are so cheap, its not worth doing anything until these have been replaced. Its a DIY job (there are step by step guides on line with photos). The first thing I would do is open the inspection hatch over the shifter coupling and operate the lever whilst observing how that movement translates to the gearbox selector shaft - only then will you start to get an idea of whether the inputs you are making on the gear lever are actually being translated to inputs at the 'box.
The selectors on these are really quite precise and there is not a great deal of tolerance for wear - adjustment also needs to be spot on. I bet you have wear in the shift coupling or the shift bush at the base of the lever and it is translating into insufficient movement and vague selection at the 'box.

[james280779]

Already booked in for next week, new bushes and linkage adjustment are the likely culprits. Apparently prob not gearbox as it is fine in gear, no whine whatsoever and doesn't pop out of gear at all- loss of fifth is very typical of the above.
Is it worth having a short shift installed at same time?? I love this car but absolutely loathe the gearbox.

[thegoose]

james280779 said:

Is it worth having a short shift installed at same time?? I love this car but absolutely loathe the gearbox.

No!! The 915 needs slow changes, if you reduce the throw with a short-shift kit then you'll have to move your hand more slowly. A good, properly rebuilt (which many aren't) 915 box isn't a bad thing at all.

There is a WEVO shifter as an alternative but I've no experience of them sorry.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

thegoose said:

No!! The 915 needs slow changes, if you reduce the throw with a short-shift kit then you'll have to move your hand more slowly. A good, properly rebuilt (which many aren't) 915 box isn't a bad thing at all.

There is a WEVO shifter as an alternative but I've no experience of them sorry.

As sbove^^

I'm still of the opinion that the wevo is a great but of kit but it only "feels" right in a track car. On a nice road going 3.2 I think it would be too much.

[james280779]

thanks, will see how it goes after the repairs, my main issue is that I am 6'5 and have to have the seat back. When I change into 1st and 3rd I have to lean right forward to do it. Its practically like doing sit-ups while driving. 5th isnt too bad but I have to move my left leg to be able to do it.

Edited by james280779 on Wednesday 19th September 00:44

[DH01]

james280779 said:

thanks, will see how it goes after the repairs, my main issue is that I am 6'5 and have to have the seat back. When I change into 1st and 3rd I have to lean right forward to do it. Its practically like doing sit-ups while driving. 5th isnt too bad but I have to move my left leg to be able to do it.

Edited by james280779 on Wednesday 19th September 00:44

Have you left the car out in the rain ?

[Henry-F]

Steer well clear of the short shift!

You say that loss of 5th gear is typical....... Does that mean you have lost 5th gear? If so then the gear lever it's self might be twisting in it's lower mount. Someone else on here had the problem a little while ago. Twist so lever is aligned fore-aft and tack weld in place.

Anyway let the experts decide when they see the car.

All the best

Henry

[Crimp a Length!]

I had a short shift on my SC years ago.
Worst thing ever.
Removed it after a week.

[SEE YA]

+1

thegoose said:

james280779 said:

Is it worth having a short shift installed at same time?? I love this car but absolutely loathe the gearbox.

No!! The 915 needs slow changes, if you reduce the throw with a short-shift kit then you'll have to move your hand more slowly. A good, properly rebuilt (which many aren't) 915 box isn't a bad thing at all.

There is a WEVO shifter as an alternative but I've no experience of them sorry.

[james280779]

Henry-F said:

Steer well clear of the short shift!

You say that loss of 5th gear is typical....... Does that mean you have lost 5th gear? If so then the gear lever it's self might be twisting in it's lower mount. Someone else on here had the problem a little while ago. Twist so lever is aligned fore-aft and tack weld in place.

Anyway let the experts decide when they see the car.

All the best

Henry

henry- that was me - I tack welded it in place and it was fine for about 1000 miles. (I use it every day)
I can find fifth but not everytime and 7/10 times end up in third.
the previous owner rebuilt the car from ground up- spent thousands on the engine and then just popped the original gearbox back on. Guessing he ran out of money lol