My T5 w/ 140K+ on it has become increasingly hard to get in gear, sometimes nearly imposible without pumping the clutch a few times and "stiring the stick around".
But not all the time. Temp doesn't seem to be the issue. Fluid level is proper.

Potential causes/solutions?

(What I want to hear is that a short throw kit will make it better if not solve the problem.)

 

A short throw kit usually makes it WORSE because you are putting a lesser amount of torque on the shifter when shifting with a shorter stick. That sounds like synchros to me.

 

Would putting a gear oil or a mix, being thicker, slow the syncros down enough to allow me get it in gear any easier? I know we use ATF, but it is awefully thin.
Or are the teeth just round and useless now?
The syncros have felt iffy for 100K now.
I am just trying to squeeze every last mile out of her.

 

Basicaly your right about the shaft in the trans still spinning. The worn sycros are finnally making it hard to shift into gear.

You can try shifting into a foreward gear with better sycros to stop the shaft or you can keep the clutch pressed in and just wait for the shaft to stop spinning.

 

Just noticed that my trans mount and front torque arm bushing and split, not broken yet.
Would new rubber help it get into gear easier, or make it more difficult to shift due to it being out of alignment for so long?

 

Lately I am having trouble down-shifting from 4th to 3rd, but if I go for 2nd and then put it in 3rd it goes in fine. WTF. real annoying. Rev-matching helps a little. I am going to change the fluid to Mobil 1 ATF this weekend, hopefully it will help. Will keep you posted.

 

Sounds to me like you have a clutch problem. I'd leave the trans alone and replace the clutch, including the pilot bearing.

The mounts will make no difference. The fluid will make no difference. The synchros almost never wear out, and are probably not the problem, and so would aldo make no difference.

It's the clutch.

 

RB83L69-

The factory clutch lasted 100K. The brute force i have is on 50K
(A tribute to my technique/LO3 lack of power) + HWY miles
It stills grabs like it did when new, so i'm not sure about clutch being worn.
I am however hearing the clutch fork squeal from time to time
And my engagment/friction point is just off the floor, >1/2" .
Adjustment problem?

One more thing: I was stirring the stick a while back and pulled up on it and it came out. I Pushed it back in, and nothing bad happened.

 

91Formula..I had the EXACT same problem with my T5 when I first got it...would not go into 3rd from 4th. Problem went away when I changed all the synchros.

 

Put in the Mobil 1 last weekend and it didn't help, but the old fluid was full of metal shavings so I'm glad I did it.

 

Guess what? I just went through the same exact issue! It was the clutch and man was that an issue. Idiot mechanic took 2 weeks and replaced every single part in the clutch system except the resiviour(sp). Take my advice, replace the clutch with the Centerforce II and replace the clutch fork at the same time. (still availible from the dealer for 69.00) and youll be ok. ...

Mark