Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) hard to shift into gear?

[gjacobs]

I have a buddy who has a '99 HO 6 speed. When it gets all warmed up it becomes real hard to get the shifter to go into any gear. Anybody have any suggestions?

---Appreciate the info----

 

[Dane]

Change the oil...

 

[PRout]

My 6sp has 90k and just recently started to be very hard to get in any gear without blipping the throttle & matching the gears perfectly. Pedal feels normal.



Was just told that its 1 of 2 things, either its low on transmission oil, or the pilot bearing is bad. Since I just changed the oil in the transmission last year, and I dont see any leaks, Im thinking its the pilot bearing. A common cause of pilot bearing premature wearing out (as in my case) I sit at lights & hold the clutch in. Thats when the pilot is being used.



Otherwise, this transmission shifted great after about 20-30k miles of break-in, and just all of a sudden changed.



Some people are saying that when the transmission oil gets 20k+ miles on it, they start getting hard to shift. I didnt see that, but some apparently are.



It could also be the hydraulics, not releasing the clutch enough.

 

[gjacobs]

Appreciate the tips---I'll didn't even think about the pilot bearing!

 

[PRout]

Just a follow up FYI. . My hard shifting problem was indeed a bad pilot bearing. Shifts fine after the new clutch install.



Good luck to your buddy.