Getrag 360 Stuck in Gear

[jdross440]

Yesterday when I was getting off the freeway I downshifted to 4th coasting toward stop light. When I stopped and was going to shift to 2nd the gearshift wouldn't move. It is stuck in gear. I can't shift it into any other gear. I pulled the shifter out and looked down inside. Didn't see any metal or anything else that shouldn't be there. The truck and transmission has about 350K miles. Only been out once to change rear main seal and clutch at 175K. I checked the oil level and it is about a pint and half low. It has never towed anything heavier than 5K pounds and that was probably 15 years ago. Mostly empty road miles. Any ideas?

 

[RVTRKN]

Tear down to inspect seems likely, good excuse to replace with an NV5600.

I was given a Toyota Tercell because they couldn't shift the trans. When I tore it down, the shifter rod got jammed in reverse. Later learned wife got PO'ed and was to agressive when going to reverse.

 

[Wayne M.]

I had a old MOPAR 833 trans get stuck in gear once. It was the synchro “strut”. IDK if the Getrag has these, but basically it’s a spring loaded button in the synchro slider that keeps the shift ring in place like a detent.
Could be something like that.
If it’s an expensive fix, my vote is to move up to a 4500 or 5600.

 

[jdross440]

I have heard the shift forks are aluminum and that the 3-4 one can wear causing this. Also a set screw could loosen and let the fork slip on the shaft. I will drain the oil tomorrow (if it gets warmer than 40 degrees and windy), then pull pto covers and see if I can see the forks. If the fork is the problem I will pull transmission down and change 1, 2 or all 3, according to wear.

 

[jdross440]

Today after removing the shifter I took a large screwdriver through the opening and was easilly able to move it into neutral from 3rd gear. I filled it with new oil and started it. After letting it idle for a short time I got out and looked underneath and oil was pouring out. I crawled underneath and say it was coming from between the transmission case and rear bearing support. I shut it off and got a socket and the 4 lower bolts were loose about 2 rounds. After looking further up at the other 4 the heads are broken off. After tightening the lower four the oil stopped coming out and I put the shifter back in and was able to shift through all the gears. 3rd was a little difficult at first but got easier. I drove it around my neighborhood and it shifted good and sounded ok. Before driving it anymore I will pull the transfer case and the bearing retainer to get the broken bolts out. They should come out easy as only the heads are popped off (I found a couple of the heads). I will replace all 8 bolts with grade 8 bolts. Then I will see if it operates ok. It was almost out of oil.

 

[Wayne M.]

Why would that violence happen? Do you have any vibrations?

 

[HHhuntitall]

If the lower bolts came loose, it would cause undue stress on the upper bolts, causing the heads to shear off.... and possible crack the housing... not good, either way.. But if it's not leaking anymore, maybe it's ok. As for the shifter, that's a common problem. The forks wear, as does the shifter. Jerking doesn't help it any.... I used to get that call a lot on the higher mileage trucks... being low on oil makes it get hot, which makes it shift even harder, with wears it even more.....