I've read over 9 pages of threads with a search for "shifting", but I would like to know if my assumption is correct. I am a sort of newby to manuals, having had my last one back in 1988 (a 1984 Trans Am, which blew the tranny and cost $2000 to repair). I also bought a Saturn with manual which is much easier to shift, but that's because it's a Saturn, right?

1990 stock GTA w/305, 73400 miles. I just bought it a month ago. The car was driven less than 4000 miles over the past three years, stored winters.

1. Clutch seems to take a lot of pressure to press in: My assumption from what I read (more pressure as the clutch wears out) is that it needs a new clutch. Also the fact that the milage would indicate it's about time for a new clutch if it has never been changed before.

2. When cold, makes a scatching metalic sound: my guess is the throwout bearing is out of lube and or rusty from not being driven enough.

3. When cold, tranny shifts fairly easily. When hot, it is very difficult to get into gears either going up or down. My guess is that when the throwout bearing is heating up, friction is preventing the tranny to disengage/sync, causing difficult shifting.
It gets really bad after being stuck in traffic. It is real hard to get into any gear, and I don't want to break it. No grinding at all (except reverse - no syncro), but just real hard to force into gear.

4. I had the tranny fluid changed at the dealer. If they had put in gear lube instead of ATF, I would expect difficult shifting when cold, and better when hot. My situation is the oppisite of this. It's great when cold, and "thick" when hot.

I'm going to try "double pumping" the clutch when I have difficulty shifting to see if that helps me find the gears when the tranny is hot.

If I'm correct and it is time for a new clutch, which brand and where is the best place to buy from?

Is there a good way to tell for sure that a new clutch will solve my problems?

Thanks,

Don

 

The clutch should be very easy to push. It always is in one of these cars.

Stiff shifting is almost always caused by something having to do with the clutch; not the transmission. The trans is not the villian, merely the vicitm.

Sounds to me like your car has clutch issues. In fact if I had just bought a car and it had the symptoms you describe, I wouldn't even bother with any diagnosis, I'd just swap it and be done with it. Odds are very good you can diagnose and troubleshoot all you want, and you'll still find out you need a clutch. In this case, it's probably best to just skip the extra work and proceed directly to the solution.

I've been using the Centerforce Dual Friction ones for the last few years; they seem to work quite well. Smooth operation, very easy to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic, yet hook up like a piece of metal when you want them to.

Make sure you replace the pilot bearing while you're doing the clutch.

 

RB83L69,

Thanks for the reply. I was pretty sure it is the clutch, but just wanted advice from someone who has been around these cars a while. The last time I drove one was 15 years ago so I didn't know if the heavy clutch pressure was normal or not.

Any idea why it would get a LOT more difficult to shift gears when hot vs. cold? When cold it is effortless; when hot, I almost can't get it into gear.

Where is a good place to purchase the clutch parts?

Thanks a lot,

Don

 

RB83L69,

I didn't realize you are so close to me! I work in Milford. Would it be possible to let you see the car and you could tell me what you think?

Also, if you could recommend a place to do the work.

Thanks,

Don

 

I'm actually off Branch Hill-Guinea road, between Cook Rd. and Loveland-Miamiville Rd. Basically out in the woods.

Who knows, you may have seen me around, my car is a silver 83 Z28 HO, with 87 IROC wheels, and the clear-coat coming off in sheets.

Send me a private message, and I'll see what I can do.