Sticky Shifting 6spd

[Mr.Goat]

My 2003 6spd is difficult to shift at times. Mainly when down shifting and especially when going into 3rd. It has been this way since the day it was new. Even after 109 K it hasn't smoothed up any.



I drive it daily, and it has had all it's scheduled maintenance performed. This is not my first standard vehicle and I have driven many types of trucks in my past, so I don't expect it to shift as smooth as a Toyota Corolla.

It doesn't make any weird noises that I would consider out of the norm. I thought by now the linkage etc. etc would have worn in a little and it would shift alot smoother.



Is this common and normal with this particular tranmission, or should I be concerned something is amiss.



Your comments on your experiences would be appreciated.



Pete

 

[nickleinonen]

mine isn't the smoothest to get into 3rd going up or down, and has been that way since new. the short throw shifter doesn't make it any easier. . it is hit/miss too on when it decides to act up. it doesn't like the cold at all though.

when i put in new oil it is better for a few thousand km, but then it goes back to "normal". . it did seem to get a little bit better when i overfilled it last service [maybe only in my mind?]

 

[steved]

Mine has never shifted nicely... I attribute it to a faulty clutch (from new).

Being you have a 2003, did you ever have the clutch disc TSB completed? Even though mine was an 04. 5, I had the 03 "clutch rattle", and reluctantly they repaired it under the 2003 TSB.

Fluid will help sometimes, but if it has done it from new, I'd suspect a clutch that isn't releasing completely... or a sticky pilot bearing.

steved

 

[Mr.Goat]

Yes the cold weather is worse and it is better just after I get it sprayed in the fall with rust check, I supose it lubricates the linkage somewhat.



I never had the TSB done on the clutch issue as I never experienced the problem that I was aware of. Maybe I should have just for the sake of having it done. It is all history now as the warrenty is long gone.



There are times during down shifts when it just won't go into any gear with ease so I shove the clutch all the way down put it in neutral and wiggle the shifter around a bit and that clears the issue.



You could very well be right maybe if one is a little shy on getting the clutch all the way down it may not be releasing completely.



I am gathering from your experiences though that this rough shifting is just the nature of the beast.

 

[steved]

I find that "pumping" the clutch one time when it refuses to go into gear will usually allow it to pop into gear easier.

I usually end up double clutching for the first few miles just to get it to shift... and even sometimes that doesn't work.

steved

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I match revs on downshifts. still use the clutch, just double clutch and match revs.

 

[Mad Bomber]

I have found new oil in transmission helps. From Peter @ S/B clutch he said Red line MTL and Prolong for tannys does the job. BTW this combo is for the NV 5600, don't know if it works in newer transmission.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Mr Goat,



There aren't any external linkage's on the transmission. The shifter goes in the top of the transmission. Mine seems to be speed sensitive. I usually shift from 5th to 3th and hold a little pressure on the shifter until it drops into gear. Jeff

 

[Mr.Goat]

Jeff



Learned something new on that one. I had just assumed there was some linkage up on top.



Thank you one and all for your replies, it is now obvious I am not the only one having some shifting problems.



Pete

 

[STEVEBROOKS]

My 03's got about 90K miles on it now, and the 6spd's never given me any problems. Like most of the others here, it's always been a little finnicky about shifting up and down. I've only had the original-type fluid and Royal Purple in it, but there hasn't seemed to be any difference between the two as far as smoothing the shifting goes. I do know mine will let me know when I haven't depressed the pedal all the way. I just chock it up to it being a big trans, with heavy-duty parts inside, that's made for duty above what we normally give it with our size of truck.



Steve

 

[Johnstra]

Mine shifts up and down pretty easily. The only problem I have is getting it into 2nd from a stop sometimes. I take the truck out of gear and release the clutch when at a stop light. When I'm ready to launch (in 2nd) sometimes it just doesn't want to go in.

-john