manual 5 transmission shift binding

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Rob Deen, Aug 26, 2004.

  1. Rob Deen

    Rob Deen Guest

    My '99 SL2 has developed some shift binding in
    the lower gears. Would stretched cables cause
    this? The bushings look OK at the shift tower
    or could it be the shift tower worn out?
    I need to know how to diagnose the cause before
    blindly replacing parts.
    thx to all respective replys... Rob
     
    Rob Deen, Aug 26, 2004
    #1
  2. Rob Deen

    Roy Guest

    My 98 SL1 has done this since I bought it. I'll be interested in the
    responses you get.
    Roy
     
    Roy, Aug 26, 2004
    #2
  3. My daughter has a SC2 and we had to replace the shift linkage when it broke.
    The repair shop told me this was pretty common on Saturns. Of course you
    can't buy just the part you need, you've got to buy the 'assembly' blah,
    blah, blah...... Seems we paid between $300 and $400 and the replacement
    seems to be a bit obstanant too. I've tried to convince her to be gentle and
    patient but you know how that goes with a 20 yr old.

    Good luck,
    Chris
     
    Chris D'Agnolo, Aug 29, 2004
    #3
  4. Before going crazy - lubricate everything, check the oil. If you've got
    more than 100,000 on it, just change the stuff.

    Next - check the clutch master cylinder, see if it's low on fluid. I
    had this once - the car was a ROYAL pain to get into gear and shift, it
    was like the shifter linkage was stuck. Added fluid, it worked great
    ever since....
     
    Philip Nasadowski, Aug 29, 2004
    #4
  5. ....on my 97 the dealer replaced the clutch master cylinder because it was
    hard to get into the lower gears. I was under the assumption the clutch
    master cyl is non-serviceable. I first suspected the clutch but because of
    the mileage, but couldn't get it to slip and the dealer confirmed and said
    it still had life, although if felt stiffer/weird than norm.

    On occasion if I tried to do some fast shifting and got heavy-handed, it
    would cause the actual motion to become stiff - which would loosen up over
    time. The fighting to get into lower gears, usually 2nd was the worse, was
    corrected with the cyl replacement. Of course I always thought there was
    room for a boat load of improvement for the way the shifts felt anyway,
    however the box seemed really tough and I didn't break any parts over some
    91k plus miles...
     
    Jonnie Santos, Aug 29, 2004
    #5
  6. Rob Deen

    Nick Hull Guest

    You probably didn't need a new cylinder, just some ATF to fill it up.
     
    Nick Hull, Sep 3, 2004
    #6
  7. Rob Deen

    Kirk Kohnen Guest

    No, don't use ATF in the clutch master cylinder.

    The clutch master cylinder uses DOT-3 brake fluid. Read the rubber cap on
    the master cylinder!

    Putting ATF will ruin the clutch hydraulics, and you will be in the market
    for a replacement, thanks to Nick Hull's advice!
     
    Kirk Kohnen, Sep 3, 2004
    #7
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