Down shift dilemma

[73_Opel_GT_Guy]

Yesterday it became difficult to downshift the GT (getrag 240 5 speed) at any speed. upshifts were as expected. occasionally it would be difficult to select any gear at idle and full stop without reving engine. Any body have any ideas as to possible places to look. Clutch disk is new in last 6 months original everything else.

[opelnut10]

Where does your clutch engage when letting it out, do you have free-play(not fore play ) The problem is clutch engagement, transmission to bellhousing bolt not being tight or no free play in the throw-out arm.

[RallyBob]

Opelnut is on the mark. It could be a mis-adjustment too (cable has all the adjustment rather than the clutch arm pivot bolt). I've seen this a lot, the primary adjustment is the clutch arm (to 4.25"), then the cable is adjusted to get the free-play.

Another possibility is the pilot shaft bearing is slowly dying. I always replace them when I do a clutch...they tend to fail at in-opportune moments. If the pilot bearing is going bad, then the engine speed and input shaft speed remain constant due to bearing drag. So when you press on the clutch pedal, the tranny is still spinning at the same rpms as the engine (or some percentage of that speed depending on bearing condition).

Bob

[opelnut10]

Quick and dirty method for checking if the pilot bearing is the problem: Pull the dust shield, put transmission in neutral and latch onto the input shaft from the transmission with a pair of channel locks have someone rotate the engine by hand with the crank pulley if you get rotation without the channel locks rotating then the pilot bearing is not siezed. Take the plugs out it will rotate easier and it sure beats pulling the transmission and flywheel if it is not needed.I prefer replacing the pilot bearing with a oil lite bronze bushing if you can still find one.

[73_Opel_GT_Guy]

I was thinking that might be the problem. When I did the clutch I also bought the pilot bushing (bronze oilite type) howerver during installation I relized I had the rollor bearing installed and it appeared in good condition. If it make's it another couple of weeks the car will be headed for winter storage and I have a list of things that need to be addressed before it emerges in the spring I guess that list just got longer. I will replace the pilot and throw out bearing just for good measure.

[opelnut10]

You are my kinda guy, no need in repeating work, use the oil lite bushing (put a little bearing grease on the end of the input shaft on the transmission )make sure the bearing surface on the input shaft is slick (hit it with some emery paper) and with the new throwout bearing I think your problem will be solved. Set the throwout arm as to per Bob's post and make sure you have about 1/2 inch free play at the pedal.The engagement point should be about 1/3 to 1/2 up the pedal travel.