manual 5 transmission shift binding

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

 

My 98 SL1 has done this since I bought it. I'll be interested in the
responses you get.
Roy

 

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

 

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....

 

....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...

 

You probably didn't need a new cylinder, just some ATF to fill it up.

 

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!