Transmission won't shift!

[lemmiewinks289]

Hello,

I'm new to these boards and I am hoping that the community can help me or point me in the right direction.

I was driving one day and took the jz up to 5k in third gear to pass someone. I start to shift to 4th then suddenly I hear it grind really hard. I take it into neutral and try to put it into gear. Wouldn't let me shift into any gear.

Clutch pressure was reduced, this I'm sure of. I inspect the transmission through the inspection plates. My Release bearing hub is still intact. My fork seems to be ok.

I have my friend step on the clutch and I watch the slave actuate. It still does although MAYBE a little less travel than before. I couldn't really tell for sure.. I check for leaks there are none.

Could the master cyl just be bad? Could clutch fluid just bypass the cylinder piston and just not let it build enough pressure?

I'll take a better look at my pressure plate when the weather here is less wet.
Could the fingers be broken on the plate?
It seems to be getting pulled by the fork ok.

The diaphragm extends and retracts.

I have an rps 3200 max 6 puck in my r154.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50496&highlight=clutch+master+cylinder+bad

I found this thread and also discovered that I can't reply cause it is old. Does anyone know what symptoms a bad master cyl should have?

Any help would be great. Thank you

 

[rayall01]

Check behind the boot of the slave cylinder. It's a pretty tight fit, and will usually hold any fluid that leaks into it. A high pressure leak in the slave cylinder usually won't suck any air either, so it can be bled without showing any air bubbles. Something like this could cause the symptoms you describe. Just pop the boot off the cylinder, and if there's any fluid in it, replace it. Also, an internal master cyl. leak could do it as well, and still hide the problem.

 

[lemmiewinks289]

Check behind the boot of the slave cylinder. It's a pretty tight fit, and will usually hold any fluid that leaks into it. A high pressure leak in the slave cylinder usually won't suck any air either, so it can be bled without showing any air bubbles. Something like this could cause the symptoms you describe. Just pop the boot off the cylinder, and if there's any fluid in it, replace it. Also, an internal master cyl. leak could do it as well, and still hide the problem.

I'll check tomorrow. But I'm still figuring out if these symptoms are hydraulic or mechanical in nature. Mechanical as in, the clutch assembly itself.

 

[92TealSupra]

Sounds like your slave cylinder may have gone out. Maybe even your fluid reservoir piston may have gone bad to. I have never had this problem so fast, I have always felt it starting to go..

 

[dumbo]

Can you put it into gear with the engine off?

 

[supraguy@aol]

I've had a slave cylinder go bad in a Z, and it would only suck in air if I tried shifting at high rpm. Wierd.

 

[lemmiewinks289]

Can you put it into gear with the engine off?

Yes I can.

 

[lemmiewinks289]

Yes, it was sudden. First it was working, then it decided not to.

 

[92TealSupra]

Yes, it was sudden. First it was working, then it decided not to.

Does your clutch pedal go down to the floor like you have no pressure.

 

[lemmiewinks289]

Does your clutch pedal go down to the floor like you have no pressure.

No, it comes up. It has lost a noticable amount of pressure compared to before the problem.

 

[92TealSupra]

No, it comes up. It has lost a noticable amount of pressure compared to before the problem.

I am sure something in the system gave way, have you got underneath your car to check everything?

 

[frontierguy25]

Still having problems with this? I've been in Addison training all week. I'll be up there next week or if you want to meet over here and let me look at it I'll help you out. Your clutch isn't disengaging. It's either your Pressure Plate, that is known to Kill R154's, ask how I know, or you have something messed up in the system. I would get a new slave and Master and lines unless you have already ruled that out. But it's grinding because it's not disengaging all the way. Look at some of my posts on DFW and you'll see that I've had this same problem before. PM me your number and I'll call you tomorrow!

 

[lemmiewinks289]

I am sure something in the system gave way, have you got underneath your car to check everything?

Yea, I was under the car inspecting it, but I couldn't give it that thorough of an inspection because I didn't have any tools and help at the time.

I took off the slave and I tried moving the fork. If the hub was broken it would be easy to move back and forth. I looked at the spring fingers on the pressure plate and everything seems fine. I have not seen the other side of the plate though since I couldn't turn the engine.

Is it safe to run the engine while inspecting the plate? I was hesitant to do that.

 

[92TealSupra]

Yea, I was under the car inspecting it, but I couldn't give it that thorough of an inspection because I didn't have any tools and help at the time.

I took off the slave and I tried moving the fork. If the hub was broken it would be easy to move back and forth. I looked at the spring fingers on the pressure plate and everything seems fine. I have not seen the other side of the plate though since I couldn't turn the engine.

Is it safe to run the engine while inspecting the plate? I was hesitant to do that.

Unless I am on a lift I don't like having a car running while I am under it. Of course if you inspect that stuff do not put your fingers in there with all the rotating assembly going, they motor won't stop.

 

[dumbo]

Make sure you cholk at least one or two of you wheels, if your getting under it. From the sounds of it though I would say your MC or slave is bypassing.(fubar)

 

[lemmiewinks289]

Unless I am on a lift I don't like having a car running while I am under it. Of course if you inspect that stuff do not put your fingers in there with all the rotating assembly going, they motor won't stop.

Oh, I won't be sticking my fingers on any rotating pressure plates thanks very much .

Ok, I'll go ahead and replace the master and the slave and the lines, but other than that. what else could affect the transmission goin into gear so abruptly!?

Any one have inputs or experiences in which neither the slave, nor the master was bad and something else was screwed up>?

Also, I've been searching and found this. http://www.speed-source.net/products/pushrod.htm

Would this be a plausable solution, or just a gimmicky product?

 

[lemmiewinks289]

checked under there again. The pressure plate seems secure. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[frontierguy25]

PM me like I said before and I'll be happy to look at it for you. I'll be up in Addison off the Tollway all next week doing some more training.

 

[lemmiewinks289]

PM me like I said before and I'll be happy to look at it for you. I'll be up in Addison off the Tollway all next week doing some more training.

Thank you for your offer, but I am not sure who you are. I hope I do not offend you in saying that I am cautious about whom I invite to my house. I'm sorry, but I simply don't know you well enough.

*update* changed both slave and master cyl. I can MASH it into gear now, but the pedal is still softer then it was before, if I remember correctly. Its not grinding. It is just really hard to shift. I will try to bleed more thoroughly. Otherwise, has anyone had experience with the extended slave cyl rod?

 

[rayall01]

Thank you for your offer, but I am not sure who you are. I hope I do not offend you in saying that I am cautious about whom I invite to my house. I'm sorry, but I simply don't know you well enough.

*update* changed both slave and master cyl. I can MASH it into gear now, but the pedal is still softer then it was before, if I remember correctly. Its not grinding. It is just really hard to shift. I will try to bleed more thoroughly. Otherwise, has anyone had experience with the extended slave cyl rod?

Check your hose, it might have busted some cords inside, and could be expanding under pressure. If it needs replacing, use a steel braided one.