Diagnostic Aids
Hard shifting can be diagnosed easily. You should also perform a static shift and a dynamic shift test. Many simple factors could occur such as excessive clutch pedal free travel, insufficient fluid, excessive fluid or even the wrong transmission lubricant. A misaligned transmission can also cause hard shifting as well as a worn or defective clutch, binding of the shift control. Many internal components can also play a factor in hard shifting such as the front bearing retainer loose or cracked, synchronizer worn, damaged or improperly assembled. A failure to fully depress the clutch pedal when shifting will cause hard shifting.
Test Description
The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.
-
This step checks for air in the hydraulic lines, this will also cause the transmission to hard shift.
-
This step checks for a faulty shift control.
-
This step checks for a faulty or worn clutch pressure plate or clutch driven plate.
Step | Action | Yes | No | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEFINITION: The transmission does not shift smoothly or without difficulty into another gear. | |||||||||
1 | Did you review the manual transmission symptom operations and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | |||||||
2 | Inspect the clutch pedal travel. Is there sufficient clutch pedal travel? | Go to Step 3 | Go to Step 4 | ||||||
3 | Remove any clutch pedal restrictions. Does the transmission shift hard? | Go to Step 4 | System OK | ||||||
Test for air in the clutch hydraulic system. Is there air in the hydraulic system? | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 6 | |||||||
5 | Bleed the air from the clutch hydraulic system. Refer to Hydraulic Clutch Bleeding in Clutch. Did you find and repair the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 6 | ||||||
Inspect the transmission shift control for binding. Is the transmission shift control binding? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 8 | |||||||
7 | Replace the transmission shift tower. Refer to Shift Tower Replacement . Did you find and repair the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 8 | ||||||
8 | Inspect the transmission for the correct type transmission fluid. Is the correct type fluid being used? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 9 | ||||||
9 | Drain and refill the transmission with the correct type fluid. Does the transmission still shift hard? | -- | System OK | ||||||
Inspect the clutch pressure pate and/or clutch driven plate. Is the clutch pressure plate and/or clutch driven plate worn or faulty? | Go to Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 12 | |||||||
11 | Replace the clutch pressure plate and/or clutch driven plate. Refer to Clutch Assembly Replacement in Clutch. Did you find and repair the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 12 | ||||||
12 | Remove the transmission. Refer to Transmission Replacement . Inspect the transmission for an internal bind, possibly caused by one of the following:
Is there an internal bind? | Go to Step 13 | -- | ||||||
13 |
Did you find and repair the condition? | Go to Step 14 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||
14 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 1 | ||||||
