Stiff gears. Mk3 Escort

[cjhillman]

Hey all,

Having a problem with my Escorts gears. Sometimes it's smooth going down into 2nd and 1st but, lately it is really stiff going into 1st and 2nd. I usually try to go to 2nd first as it used to be a little easier to get it into 1st but, now that also is a little stiff. This is only about half the time though, sometimes it's fine.

I've had it for around 3 years and from stand still it can judder a bit in 1st but, that hasnt been worse with this situation. Could it be the linkages or gear box itself? Or maybe it's time to do that clutch?

It's 30 years old with 37000 miles on it so I'm thinking it's probably not the gear box?

Cheers
Chris

[mattxr3i]

Does it get better if you put it into Neutral first.

Is it worse going down to 1st or 2nd than if you go from neutral to 1st then on to 2nd? (Gearbox synchro)

Where is the clutch biting point (Clutch not disengaging maybe)

Is it temperature dependant. (Transmission fluid may need changing)

These have the gate under the selector, these can go a little manky. Not sure if you can get new ones now

[bortaf]

How is it going into reverse?
if it grinds like curse word it's probably the clutch dragging ?

[cjhillman]

i may have tried going to neutral first but, usualy just slowly change down and go back over to 2nd when it's tough to get into 1st. I probably have tried this but not with enough success to remember it as a fix.

I can't decide if it's temperature dependent yet. The other day I used it for the first time in yonks and drove from Stoke to Scunthorpe. It did it when I got up there and I'd been driving for 2hours30.

It does grind occasionally in reverse but, not all the time.

The clutch biting point is closer to the top of the pedal but not right on the edge. It's quite a smooth change usually.

I guess new gear box fluid would be a good start?
Could I do anything for the original selector? And would I be able to see if it was manky from lifting up the rubber gator in the car? Or is it underneath the car?

I'm going out in it soon so I'll try the neutral thing if it does it.

[barty]

check engine mounts too

[slammage]

yes worth checking engine and gearbox mounts dude.

[ChasR]

I reckon the engine mounts will be tired.

I'd also throw some GL4 gearbox oil into it. I think these took EP80. There is a chance that it is the gearbox bushes but I doubt it.

What speeds are you going into first?

[Smiler]

The linkage is notorious for being rubbish, but it is rubbish all the time, not just under certain conditions. The nylon top-hat bushes of the universal joint where it attaches to the gearbox wear out. You cannot access the inside of the gate box below the lever without first lowering it from the car to split it, a high pressure hose might clean it.

Follow the above recommendations and see how you get on.

A known fix is to fit the selector mechanism from a 1.7ltr Puma but the rods require lengthening to suite.

The gear change on my car is pretty dire and that's with a rebuilt gearbox and refurbished linkage! Depending on how long I keep the car I may look at carrying out the Puma conversion myself as it does spoil the car.

[fordperv]

Clutch pressure plate borked causing the juddering?

[ChasR]

Dec 15, 2016 12:49:51 GMT Smiler said:

The linkage is notorious for being rubbish, but it is rubbish all the time, not just under certain conditions. The nylon top-hat bushes of the universal joint where it attaches to the gearbox wear out. You cannot access the inside of the gate box below the lever without first lowering it from the car to split it, a high pressure hose might clean it.

Follow the above recommendations and see how you get on.

A known fix is to fit the selector mechanism from a 1.7ltr Puma but the rods require lengthening to suite.

The gear change on my car is pretty dire and that's with a rebuilt gearbox and refurbished linkage! Depending on how long I keep the car I may look at carrying out the Puma conversion myself as it does spoil the car.

Is a short shifter out of the question? On my RST the gearchange was one of the best I've had in a BC 'boxed car.

[Smiler]

Not out of the question, depends on how long I keep the car for. I intend to sell it once the bugs are ironed out to raise funds for the Scimitars. I'll most likely leave the replacement of the roof fabric and recovering of the seats to the new owner.

[turbotechnics]

Check linkage bushes, engine and gearbox mounts, change gearbox oil, but going from personally experience I suspect a worn clutch.