Hard shifting T18a

[illegalFSJ]

I just got finished driving my J-10 for about 15 miles - the farthest I've ever driven it by about 14 miles. Other than the poor brakes, terrible shocks and way out of tune carburetor, I noticed that I really had to fight the transmission alot to get it into gear.
I had to pull down pretty hard to get it into 2nd, and then hit it up with the heel of my hand to get it into neutral, where the challenge of finding 3rd would begin. Once I shoved it into 3rd, I would have to hit it downward to get it out of gear, and into 4th.

Is this normal operation for a T18a, and I should just get used to it? Or is something out of adjustment? There was no gear grinding, just hard to get into gear.

[Glenn_tx]

I had this problem, not to this extent though. FSJeeper advised me to replace the fluid with 1/2 Lucas tranny oil and 1/2 synthetic oil. Seems to have helped some, worth a shot. Of course, I may have just gotten used to it. It just seemed real notchy and a lot longer throw than what I normally drive, still is.

[imported_Big Red]

I had the same problem and I know this sounds retarded but I adjusted my clutch so that it engaged quicker and the problem stopped.

[Mikel]

With the engine off and the truck at a stop, how easily can you go through the gears?

[Stuka]

Sounds like the clutch is out of adjustment like said above, or the shifter itself may be very worn (pop and and look at tip to see). Or maybe all the fluid leaked out over those 14 months? smile.gif

[gsmikie]

did you replace the pilot bushing ???

[popeye44]

if it shifts easy with engine off it's doubtful it's the tranny. adjustment like noted above. My cherokee has this transmission and it shifts as easy or easier than my Cj t14 transmission. definately wouldn't think hard shifting to be typical. both my manuals are notchy shifters and have to be right on to go into gear.. it took me all of a couple minutes to get used to them.

[illegalFSJ]

I can smash through the gears with lightning speed with the truck off and stopped.

And I did replace the pilot bushing.

I have no idea how much gear oil is in it now, but it can't be too low, right?

To adjust the clutch, I just lengthen the rod that pushes the relase fork, right?

Oh, and there's a LOT of gear whine in 3rd. I guess that's probably not going to have anything to do with adjustments, though. I'll guess I'll just get some fresh oil with some Lucas in it, and go from there.

Thanks, all!

[Stuka]

My 3rd gear has always whined. I think its just something the tranny does, as both trucks with T18's that I have driven have done it. Mine got a lot quieter when I added a pint of STP Oil Stabalizer though.

[imported_Big Red]

Yep, lengthen the rod that pushes the fork. Good luck!

[Mikel]

If you can shift fine with the engine off, then it's either the clutch not disengaging 100% (very likely), or the pilot bushing going bad (unlikely). You need to adjust the clutch linkage so that when you step on the clutch, the fork will push the clutch farther inward. There are two places where that can be done, and it's a 2 minute job.
Good luck.

[onitsside]

dont mean to steal the thread but does anyone have headers and a t-18? My headers actually rub the linkage. I have the heddmans and the oval collector but even if I rotate the collector its still in the way. I have new motor mounts. Once again sorry for the different topic, but it's still related.

[illegalFSJ]

I've got the adjustment rod out as far as it will go (which is about an INCH longer than it was before the new clutch) and the shifting got a little easier, but it's still hard to shift. The clutch shop that sold me the kit said they'd warrenty the pressure plate if that's what it is. Maybe I should get a .025 or .050 inch shim to go behind the flywheel as well? It'll take up the slack from having the flywheel cut?

[carrotman]

My 76 TSM says to lube all pivots and tighten all nuts and bolts holding the clutch linkage together. Then lift clutch pedal up against the pedal stop. Adjust the (vertical) push rod at the lower pivot assembly so the bellcrank inner lever (sticking down) is slightly forward from vertical. Loosen the jamnut and turn the adjuster (long hexagon) to obtain 3/8 to 5/8in. pedal freeplay.

[Cecil14]

With manual clutch linkage you shouldn't need a shim behind the flywheel. That should only really be a problem if you're running a hydrolic setup as the cylinders will only push out so far. With linkage you should be able to adjust out anything from a resurface.

It sounds like a clutch problem but if you've adjusted it all the way out and still have a problem I don't know. You may want to pull the tranny and take a look at the clutch components and make sure everything looks good.

Anthony