Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
I purchased a rebuilt transmission and I am wondering if something needs adjustment because I cannot bench shift into reverse or 5th gear. It does seem to be able to engage gears 1-4 although it takes a bit of force. I am just adding pictures because I know everyone likes pictures Any suggestions on how I can test this rebuilt transmission before I re-install it?
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
there really isn't anything to adjust. Does the shifter move all of the way into the 5th-r gate? You probably have to remove the shift tower and look at the 3 shift rails to see if they're aligned
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Thanks for the post Mark. Disconnected from the transmission the shifter moves through the full range of motion. However when I mount it on the transmission the shifter will not slide into either 5th or reverse and engaging where I would think 1st through 4th is located the shifter is very stubborn (difficult to engage). I am not sure where to look for the three shifter gates
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
-
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
- Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
In the top 2 photos, you show the top of the engaging lever. Underneath on that lever is a finger that moves the 3 shift shafts to select the desired gear; 1 or 2, 3 or 4, 5 or R. In Neutral, the 3 shaft ends are aligned and this finger rests in the middle of these small bowls (for lack of the proper terminology).
This photo shows these "bowls". The displayed picture is a bit cut off. Click on it to see the entire pic on photobucket.
The 5/R shift shaft is removed in this picture. Maybe you can look down into your transmission and verify these bowls are aligned?
My other thought is the detent pins, balls and springs were not installed correctly. My understanding is these items prevent more than 1 gear to be selected at any time. Perhaps a pin is not releasing, preventing the 5/R shift shaft from moving The above picture (left side) shows the cover removed. You can also see the indentations on the partially removed shafts.
Verify the correct installation of these dowel, balls and springs:
A caution When I did this I was doing an entire disassembly. I don't know if this will work leaving the shafts in place
As you remove the 2 bolts holding the cover, these items should be able to be removed and verified.
5/R: there should be a spring and a ball. (Upper hole as pictured)
3/4: spring, ball and a detent pin (middle hole picture)
1/2 : spring, ball, short dowel, long dowel (bottom hole pictured)
You may need a magnet to pull out the dowels and pin.
This photo shows these "bowls". The displayed picture is a bit cut off. Click on it to see the entire pic on photobucket.
The 5/R shift shaft is removed in this picture. Maybe you can look down into your transmission and verify these bowls are aligned?
My other thought is the detent pins, balls and springs were not installed correctly. My understanding is these items prevent more than 1 gear to be selected at any time. Perhaps a pin is not releasing, preventing the 5/R shift shaft from moving The above picture (left side) shows the cover removed. You can also see the indentations on the partially removed shafts.
Verify the correct installation of these dowel, balls and springs:
A caution When I did this I was doing an entire disassembly. I don't know if this will work leaving the shafts in place
As you remove the 2 bolts holding the cover, these items should be able to be removed and verified.
5/R: there should be a spring and a ball. (Upper hole as pictured)
3/4: spring, ball and a detent pin (middle hole picture)
1/2 : spring, ball, short dowel, long dowel (bottom hole pictured)
You may need a magnet to pull out the dowels and pin.
'80 spider FI, SnugTop hardtop
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Thank you ... this was exactly what I needed to know. I will post when the issue is resolved.
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
-
- Posts: 985
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:08 pm
- Your car is a: 1970 fiat 124bc
- Location: Belgrade, Serbia, eastern Europe
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
did you try to rotate input shaft a bit before engaging a gear?
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Yep ... tried rotating the shaft "every which way but Sunday" but that didn't help. Current status is that I have returned the transmission to have the seller check it out. Present thinking is that the dowels and springs were incorrectly installed during the rebuild.
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
- SLOSpider
- Posts: 1140
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
- Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
- Location: Lompoc, Ca USA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Going to reassemble mine for the first time. Any good pointers on reinstalling those 3 pins that fell out the bottom when I took apart. Manual not super clear about it. Help?
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Sorry but I haven't the mechanical skills to work on a transmission which is why I returned the re-manufactured one to the seller. I had a fear that tiny springs, plugs and such would explode on my workbench and I'd never find them again. Good luck SLO
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
-
- Posts: 985
- Joined: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:08 pm
- Your car is a: 1970 fiat 124bc
- Location: Belgrade, Serbia, eastern Europe
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
where did you get this transmission from? location, what part of the world?
- tartan18
- Posts: 505
- Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:58 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Lebanon, Oregon
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
PM Sent
Jim MacKenzie
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
1975 Fiat Spider
Finest Italian Automotive Technology
-
- Posts: 3996
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
- Location: Texas, USA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
His trans came from us. On the way back for me to look at it.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
- SLOSpider
- Posts: 1140
- Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 2:10 am
- Your car is a: 1973 124 Spider 2.0FI
- Location: Lompoc, Ca USA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Just finished mine. Book onitted some important information and steps. There are 2 thin same size dowels. Book sows only one. One goes in 3/4 shaft hole and other goes in 1/2 shaft hole. There are 3 other dowels all the same thickness but two are thae same length a bit longer. You need to put one long dowel in hole from bottom of trans cover towards top of trans, insert first long dowel then install shift fork. Drop second long dowel in insert next shift fork. Install last dowel, shorter one then install 5th/rev shift fork. Two things I got ahead of myself. Before you put the counter shaft nut on be sure that the 5th/rev fork is in place or you have to take the nut back off, remove shafts and balls so you can lock trans to retighten nut...its a hassel, and install it. Also make sure you put the shift cross rail for the rear case back together before you put the rear case on or that will need to come back off. I expected to learn these things as it was my first time in. Other wise beside the book omitting a few things I got it back together and should see how it does next weekend. Last I also learned that just spinning a bearing in your hand for noise check doesnt work. Had a bearing I thought sounded good put when installed and rotated main shaft it was noisey. Installed new center main shaft bearing and much better and quiet
Dont be jealous of my tranny stand
.
Dont be jealous of my tranny stand
.
1975 124 Spider
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
1976 Mazda Cosmo http://www.mazdacosmo.com
1989 Chevy k5 Blazer
1967 GT Mustang Fastback
- RoyBatty
- Posts: 852
- Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:44 pm
- Your car is a: 1975 124 Spider - 1971 124 Sport Coupe
- Location: Locust Grove, VA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
Give Csaba and Ramzi the time and they will make it right.
-
- Posts: 3996
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
- Location: Texas, USA
Re: Hard Shifting Rebuilt Transmission
> Just finished mine. Book onitted some important information and steps. There are 2 thin same size dowels. Book sows only one.
Most have only one. A few early trannys had a switch on the top toward the back, those are the only ones that have two.
Most have only one. A few early trannys had a switch on the top toward the back, those are the only ones that have two.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town