Topic: rough shifting into 1 & R

[Moit88RNR]

my rig is a 88 4runner. its a W56 trans. the whole clutch kit has maybe 2k miles on it. every time i shift into reverse i have to be stopped (i think i should) and i have to jam it in. when i shift into 1st i have to be completely stopped unless i really jam it in. this happens hot or cold. I've heard its the bushing but wanted to see what you guys thought before i bought something. 

[2manytoys]

Are you talking about the shifter seat bushing? I'm not sure that would cause your problem. My 88 pickup W56 B shifter bushing was completely gone and it wasn't hard to shift. The shifter was super sloppy but still shifted fine.

It's cheap enough to put Marlin's poly shifter busings in and see if it makes a difference.

[88_Pathy]

Mine does it when it's cold and very rarely when warm.  I bet if you ran synthetic gear lube it would help. My trans is pretty new too so I know its not mechanical. Try Royal Purple or Red Line and see if it helps. Big Mike said it quieted down the drivetrain significantly and made for smoother shifts.

[Moit88RNR [OP]]

ok I'll try the bushings first and then the new fluid when i have money. thanks

[MC387]

Dont waste your money on the redline.  I put it into my freshly rebuilt R-150, and it was terrible when cold.  Switched to Lucas, works great at half the price.

[axled89]

ATF.   works also and on the cheap side.     i've been running it for 3 years now.

[Moit88RNR [OP]]

i really like cheap but i would like it more if they called it MTF instead of ATF. thanks for that option though. has anyone else tried this?

[axled89]

the ATF. is a detergent and will clean stuff up in there,  if theres any gunk build up.   and the bearing don't care as long as they have that lube.   and ATF. disapates heat better than gear oil.      
             so it's your choice on how cheap you want to go with your MTF.        

[Cheesemaker]

Every manual tranny I ever owned had this issue.  It's due to the fact that generally, first and reverse doesn't have synchro's.  Synchro's are for shifting from one gear to another gear without having to double clutch, and using RPM's to shift, while moving at speed.  And generally, when you need first and reverse, your at a stop anyway, so they don't need synchro's. 

Try this.  When at a stop, and your tranny won't go into 1st or R, let off the clutch, and then push back down on the pedal.  And then put the tranny into 1st or R.  I guarantee that it will go into gear without forcing it.  By doing that you are causing the gears to spin, and then realign, so the gears will mesh together easier.

[MC387]

First gear is syncro'd on a w-56.  But I agree with what you are saying.  It is often hard to shift into 1 and r while not moving.  I guess the question is how hard.  The ype and quality of the lube in the trans probably wont affect this a whole lot.  If it is rough while moving, that is a different story.

[Moit88RNR [OP]]

i mainly have problems with first when im rolling up to a stop sign and i have to wait till im at a complete stop to go into first. i've driven other cars and have been able to go into first going 20MPH +. to shift into reverse its rough even if im stopped. i ordered the bushing so hopefully that helps.

[kneedownnate]

Learn to heel-toe downshift