I recently had a clutch replaced on my '66 Fastback, and the seals/bearings redone on my 3-speed tranny. Unfortunately, we're having a problem getting into first gear without:

a) Seriously riding the clutch, or

b) in some circumstances, grinding away into first if letting up on the clutch and giving it gas isn't "just so".

Now, the car shifts well in second and third, but first is a problem. We brought the car back to our mechanic and they replaced the new clutch with another new clutch. Again, same problem. We can get into gear, but not without serious play between the gas and popping the clutch. My wife learned how to drive on this vehicle, and I've been driving stick since college, so we're not inexperienced drivers. It's quite depressing because we're with a reputable transmission shop.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be causing repeat problems with this? Our instincts are telling us that it shouldn't be this difficult to drive a (second) brand new clutch.

 

I don't quite understand. If you're sitting at a stoplight and you go to shift into first...does it grind? If so, it sounds like your clutch isn't adjusted properly. The Factory Service Manual tells you how to adjust it properly

 

If the car drove well before the clutch change, then there is a problem, and the problem should be handled by the transmission shop that installed the clutch.

For one reason or another, it looks like the clutch is not dis-engaging completely. It may be that they are using the wrong pressure plate/ throwout bearing / clutch fork combination, or it could be an adjustment issue, but I would assume that an adjustment issue would be easily handled by the shop, without going through the trouble of installing a new clutch.

One thing is for sure, if you keep driving the car the way it is, the 1st gear synchro wont live long at all...

If I were you I would politely bring the car back to the shop and explain to them that you know that they have tried to resolve the issue, but the car is useless as it is. There is something wrong with their installation/parts combo that is at issue.

 

What do you mean by "riding the clutch"?

If you mean that you have to push the clutch clean to the floor, then this should be considered normal for a new clutch.

It will "wear" toward the top of it's travel.

The clutch should be able to be adjusted so it disengages a little higher in it's travel, but it is good practice to fully depress the clutch anyway.

 

Yes, it grinds if we don't significantly ride the clutch. The clutch we replaced was the original factory clutch and never did any grinding in all the years it was used. Apologize in advance, as I am not mechanically inclined, so I'm mainly looking to educate myself on the possibilities before going back there anddealing with the shop that took care of it.

Thank youfor your input.

 

When I say "riding the clutch", I mean that the clutch has to be let out very slowly while giving it gas, without grinding into first.It's not a natural transition. Hopefully it only requires an adjustment. I don't want to just blame the transmission shop if we're doing somethingwrong or expecting something we shouldn't from a new clutch, but if there's nothing wrong, this is the worst manualI've ever driven.

 

To me your description of the problem is still not clear. When I was learning to drive, dad would say stop riding the clutch if I had my foot on the pedal when the clutch wasn't needed.

If you are at a full stop and have the clutch fully depressed do you have a problem getting the car into first gear?

If you have the car in first gear and you are trying to get moving is are you getting a grinding sound?

If you are trying to move from a stop does the car shutters alot as you are letting out on the clutch?

 

Well, if the shop serviced the transmission and put the new clutch in -> they are 100% responsible
Bring the car back and tell them to fix it
I did my first clutch change over myself 2 months ago - prior to that I had some issues with getting into 2nd gear - I am now shifting perfectly
So again, THIS IS NOT NORMAL, bring it back ASAP

 

Still don't quite understand...can you get the tranny into 1st without doing anything with the pedals (aside from leaving the clutch pedal on the floor)? Does it make a weird whine/scrape as you let the clutch out?

 

If you are trying to move from a stop does the car shutters alot as you are letting out on the clutch?


Yes. Although this time around, it's not shuddering AS much as it did the first time they replaced it, but it will still do it at times with the second new clutch.

Thanks for your input.