Shift Problems......... Is there a cure??

I have a 74 CJ5 258 c.i. 4 speed I am having a BIG problem finding 3rd gear when upshifting from 2nd, there is a lot of slop in the shifter, somewhere. It gets a little embarassing grinding gears when there are other rigs around. Is there a quick fix for this problem?

Thanks in advance.

Dan

 

You mean that you are clipping reverse when shifting from 2nd to 3rd? I think everybody does it occasionally, and it doesn't really hurt anything. After a while locating the gate becomes second nature, and you learn to shift in three movements, up, over just the right amount and up some more. You may be able to recondition the shift top to make it more "precise" ... the T-18 is not known for precise shifting. It'll never shift like a passenger car though.

 

I had similar problems with my T-176 1st-2nd & 2nd-1st shifts,,turned out to be very worn shift forks and woen synchros on the gears. Not a quick fix, but the shift forks can be replaced in your garage or driveway pretty easily, the gears are a bit more involoved but not an impossible project.

 

Yes, there is a cure.
If it is a T-18, the problem is in the shifter.
There is a reverse plunger and a reverse plunger spring.
When you shift to reverse, you go against the plunger and push.
This feature prevents hitting reverse on the motion from second to third.
The spring is relatively inexpensive, replacement not too difficult. Just don't drop anything into the transmission.

 

Email on the way, thank you.

 

There is no resistance at all between any forward shift and the reverse location. I think Tommy CJ may be right on on this one.

Tim, I am not just hitting it occasionally, I am hitting it almost every time..... like I said, it gets embarassing!

Thanks for the replies.

Dan

 

Like they said, most likely the reverse spring in the top. Whenever I rebuild a T-18 I replace that spring too as probably 90% of them are either broken in pieces or collapsed or have lost their tension. I also live in Portland so if you want some help some weekend give me a shout and I can help out if you bring the top over. I'd have to look but may even have a spring laying around. If not I can get a new one. They are between $3 and $5 IIRC. PM me or e-mail me at nickmiln@aol.com or at nickmil@clackamas.edu

E-mail would be quickest and I'll send you my phone #.

 

anyone got a digaram of the spring in the T18? Mine is hanigng on the motor stand and I'd like to check it before I put it back in the jeep.

 

http://trailforge.com/TSM/Section_06.pdf

Page 6-12, figure 37.