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.
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 |