Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 6 speed does not want to go into gear

[Gordon Maney]

I have a 2001 6-speed truck with 28,000 miles on it, having gotten the truck new in June of 2001. Intermittently, and ever since I have had it, I have had problems with getting into gear at a stop.



I am well familiar with all the tricks to get a truck or tractor transmission into gear when something is still coasting or it has come to rest in an inopportune position. Try a different gear, let the clutch out a bit, allow the input shaft to stop again, and so on. I know how to do these things and why they work.



It is apparent to me that there are times when the clutch either won't disengage, or the pilot bearing is dragging, causing the input shaft to continue turning. It is a lucky thing that every gear in these things is synchronized, or you might not get it in.



Usually, after getting it in OK a few times in a row, it will be fine. There are a few times it does not matter, and that certainly verifies that the clutch is not stopping.



I would have taken it in by now, but it does not do it enough that I felt it would do it when the dealer had it.



Is anyone seeing any problem with clutch slave cylinders and their hydraulic circuits? Have there been many or any pilot bearing problems? Do you have a thought on this?

 

[LWINGATE]

I have a similar truck and haven't seen that yet, although I have a vibration whenever I 'm in 2nd gear. I haven't been able to figure that one out yet. The dealer installed an angle block under the rear springs to try and change the pitch of the driveline between the rear end and the transmission. It didn't help much. I'll be interested to see your responses.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Call Peter at SouthBend

Gordon, I had a very similar problem. I replaced my clutch slave cylinder and it shifts MUCH better. The best price by far was to get one through Peter at SBC. It is a different brand than the stocker and seems to be better quality. It is easy to swap out, bolted onto the side of the transmission on driver's side. Just gotta disconnect and change the hose over.



Vaughn

 

[Gordon Maney]

Just out of curiosity, what was your odometer reading when you found you needed this change?

 

[slo-ryde]

My truck is new so I assumed the shifter problem was due to the parts being stiff (not fully broken in). For me, the tough one is getting into second gear when completely stopped.



I've heard of people switching to synthetic oils and seeing an improvement in shifter smoothness. I'll have to wait awhile for that. It's not good to switch to synthetics until it's fully broken in.



The clutch not disengaging sounds plausible, although you'd think the truck would want to creep once it was in gear.



Keep us posted, if you replace the slave cylinder I would like to know if it fixes the problem. I've noticed that I have to let the clutch pedal out almost all the way for the clutch to start to engage. That doesn't seem normal to me.

 

[Bigramguy]

Quick check for clutch drag

Try sticking it into reverse when it happens. If it grinds,most likely the clutch\pilot brg could be dragging. I have seen quite a few rusted pilot bearings causing that problem,but usually on older high mileage trucks.

 

[Gordon Maney]

When it is at its worst it won't even go into reverse, and only goes into reverse because of the reverse synchro.

 

[CRegal]

Gordon,

I am having the same problem & I have noticed it getting worse since around 25k. I installed a sbc & new pilot bearing around 20k. Since then it has been getting worse, over the weekend, I had quite a few times when it would not go into any gear no matter what I did. Once driving it is fine, just from a dead stop sometimes it wont do a thing. It doesnt grind but wont go into gear unless u try to put it in all the gears & eventually it will find a home.



I am interested in ideas as well, but I am not looking to start throwing cash at it w/o knowing if it will fix it.



Cole

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Have you ever changed transmission lube - if so, what brand, weight, etc?



If you HAVEN'T changed it or had it done, might give it a try and see if that improves things any...

 

[Bigramguy]

If it's getting that bad guys,you must have a hydraulic problem. Here is a quick search on slave cyl troubles,give it a read,see if it helps. 103 posts



http://216.235.147.117/forums/searc...d=118482&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending