I have noticed that is starting to get a bit hard to put the tranny in gear when sitting still. Also just shifting things will feel a bit tight.
Is this an indication that the syncronizing rings are going bad. If so are they easy to replace or should I give it to a shop.
I have done a lot of thing but I have never been in a tranny.
Thanks

 

If it's just a problem when trying to shift into 1st from a stop, it could be its syncro. Try shifting into another gear while stopped and see if there's any difference. If it's easier with other gears, then the 1st gear syncro might be getting a little too worn out. Since you say it's getting worse in all situations, that leads me to see another possibility....

The clutch hydraulics can be the problem too. My slave cylinder started leaking about 4-5 months before the clutch (or trans) let go. As the months went on it got harder and harder to shift.... i'm thinking it was the hydraulics not completely pulling the pressure plate off of the clutch (tried bleeding the hydraulics, but the problem would come right back). The fluid level was always full, but obviously the leaking slave kept letting air get into the system. I think a new complete hydraulic assembly is around $150 (comes ready to bolt in... both cylinders, line, and already filled with fluid and bled out).

There's a number of syncros, forks, and rods to check out. I think my parents are getting me a digital camera for christmas... if they do, i'll snap some pics of my trans and post them. It's quite interesting to play with it while its apart to see how it all works. It's in a thousand pieces right now in the shop It doesn't appear too bad to rebuild the syncros and some other small things, but the bearings and clearance bushings will need some experienced hands and special equipment to work with. But the snap rings will make you want to pull your hair out.

Even with 90k miles, my bearings are still very tight and look like new, so you probably won't need to address those.

 

Thanks for the reply, maybe it is the syncros.
Pics will be helpful.

 

Same problem here. I have found that it is only hard to shift into any gear when the car has sat for two or more days. At one point, I drove it everyday for about a week and had no problems after the first couple. I don't have a leak and am not slipping a clutch so I am going to live with it for now. If I find anything, I'll post. Anyone know how to do an easy bleed on the system?

 

My understanding is that it is self bleeding, There is not any nipple or bleed valve.

 

i just had my clutch replaced and the lines bled. had only 1 incident with an air bubble but that went away. i should have just had it replaced because the shop was working on it anyways and it is a fairly cheap part for our cars. but live and learn