Topic: hard shifting on 88

[jsrusse11]

i have an 88 pickup with the 22re and five speed tranny. everything seems to shift fine except getting into first is rough, but after that everything is smooth. seem to get worse the hotter the tranny gets. already swaped fluid for lucas oil with the hardshifting additive from lucas also. is there any other way to help this out without rebuilding it. if thats what i might needs how hard is a rebuild?

[derek]

hows your clutch?
almost sounds like its not working correctly.

derek

[Tool Guy]

Check for air in the clutch lines first, then chek the slave cylinder maybe.

[Marlin]

To begin with, first replace the green shifter seat and the nylon socket on the end of the shifter handle.

With the engine idling and the clutch pedal pushed to the floor, and after you wait for the gears to slow down. Shift into reverse. If you can shift into and out of reverse without any constant grinding, the problem is not in the clutch. You could have a worn 1/2 fork, failed syncrow, or the constant mesh teeth, [on the side of the 1th speed gear and the mating teeth on the 1/2 hub], could also be worn out or laid over.

This is a common problem in a high mileage trans that has been constantly down shifted.

DO NOT DOWN SHIFT. It wears out the syncrows, gears, and bearings on the coast side.

Marlin

[jsrusse11 [OP]]

i already checked the green rubber seat and looks good but i might change it out anyway.  i can shift in to reverse no problem when idleing.  it's only first that has the problem.  does this mean a rebuild is the only answer or should i get into the bell housing and check first.  i can do that myself but i don't know anything about trannies.  how much would it be to get rebuilt if i need it?