I had a trusted mechanic test drive it last summer before bodywork and winter storage and he felt it was a clutch issue (mostly the release bearing). I have no doubt that the bearing IS definitely A problem because you get whining/groaning sometimes and will go away with a "out and in" of the pedal. It would also always clash when putting in reverse. But the clashing (mostly 1-2, not much in other gears) was not that bad at the time. I am starting to get really concerned that it might be the syncho for #2. Here is the current rundown:

-periodic groaning/whining that usually occurs with the pedal down and will go away when you shift to N and clutch out and in quick.
-clashing usually (but not always) associated with the groaning, but clashing most often going into 2nd gear (as of this weekend 2nd clashes almost always now). Some other gear clashing (rare lately) but the vast majority with 2nd.
-reverse always clashes (always put in forward gear first now to eliminate that).

He had said because of the bearing, the clutch wasn't completely releasing, thus the clashing. That makes sense to me because of reverse but why would the vast majority of clashing only be going into second??? Could my prayers be answered and this is still a bearing/clutch issue???

Please help!

 

its your synchro and possibly the 1-2 reverse slider gear, mine did the 1-2 shift grind and i rebuilt the tranny, needed bearing, synchros, and the 1-2 slider gear which was 189.00 alone, and it's been fine ever since, reverse always grinds, unless you go into a higher gear first, but even though it grinds, it shouldnt be excessive

 

now when you say synchro you mean synchro rings, right? not the synchro itself?

 

I think thats a common problem with the T5's, I just go from 3rd to reverse, usually works

 

If the clutch isn't fully releasing, it's not going to go into reverse easily. However, like 85_ZED said, reverse isn't usually easy to go into; pre-synchronize it by putting it into 3rd or 4th, then reverse.

Personally, I would get a throwout bearing, make sure the clutch hydraulics are well bled, or adjusted if it's an 82/83 mechanical, and see how it goes. You're not going to have to replaced those parts again if you do go through the synchros, so do them and see.

-Matthew

 

thanks for the tips guys.....unfortunately I'm not any happier due to the potential problems.

Any idea what it might cost to just do the synchros??? after doing the bodywork and painting, the cash just ain't to plentiful right now.

I will do the clutch first and if that doesn't cure the problem (which it now appears from your experiences that it won't) I am also toying with the idea of maybe getting one from a wreckers, putting that in to get a while out of that one and in the meantime get a rebuild kit and rebuild mine (I am mechanically inclined and I hear that video for the T5 is very good). What do you guys think of this idea???