Hey everyone. I am new to the board, but not at all new to wrenching or wheeling. I need some help figuring out what to do with my sons 85 daily driver.
He was going down the road and suddenly lost 5th gear pulling a hill. No bad noises when it quit and none now. The transmission does not have bearing noise and everything else including reverse is still good. It almost feels like a shift fork broke; when you shift it into 5th now it is very easy to shift an doesn't feel like the gear is moving. It also has a new clicking when coming out of 5th or reverse. We drained the oil and found only a little bit of fine metal on the plug which I would consider to be normal.
I have not had alot of luck finding information on this as a common failure. I did read something about 5th pulling off the shaft, but I would have expected gear chunks or possibly grinding if it had moved on the shaft.
It is also worth noting that on the rear plug if I reach in with my finger there is something in contact with the case right at that plug. This seems abnormal.
I am planning to pull the rear section apart and inspect for damage, but I am hoping not to have it torn down long since school is starting soon. Any help with what might be going on and potential fixes is very much appreciated!