t5 wont go into gear
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
t5 wont go into gear
I put a clutch kit and flywheel in the t5 while installing the motor. When I push the clutch while running it wont go into gear. I want to check everything possible before pulling the transmission. What all can I check? Thanks
Last edited by weswisehart; Apr 10, 2011 at 09:48 PM.
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: t5 wont go into gear
I ran into a similar situation when I installed a new clutch and it turned out my pivot ball was too worn to work properly with a new clutch setup.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
OK I am ignorant when it comes to the transmission. Is the pivot ball on the end of the rod that pushes the fork or is it what the fork pushes? I will look at my Hanes book on how to bleed and see if that helps. Thanks
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From: East Tennessee
Car: 1992 Z28 Heritage Edition
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23:1
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Here's a pic of the basic setup (although the pic is something off a Vette):

Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
O OK. A new one came in the kit I bought. I put that on as well. Can the bell housing be removed to looking at this without removing the entire transmission?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Well I pulled the transmission and to me it looks fine. So I'm not sure why it wont go into gear. Any ideas? Thanks
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Posts: 6,513
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From: Aridzona
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Re: t5 wont go into gear
You certainly told that pilot bushing who is master.
Did you bleed the hydraulics?
When everything is together:
- how much gap is between the bearing and the pressure plate fingers?
- how far does the slave push the fork?
Did you bleed the hydraulics?
When everything is together:
- how much gap is between the bearing and the pressure plate fingers?
- how far does the slave push the fork?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
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From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Ha ha ya. I had trouble lining up the motor. Yea I did. Shot out fluid a few feet every time. The clutch feels good and all but I can't get into gear. I hear it still spinning when I am trying to put it in gear.
Its currently all apart. I will put it all together and let you know the gaps tomorrow.
Its currently all apart. I will put it all together and let you know the gaps tomorrow.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
There is very little or no gap at all. But the throughout bearing isn't lined up straight. Is this normal?
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
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From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
everything is together. it will go into gear when the car is off but while running it wont. It grinds while running. I feel it spinning.
Joined: Sep 2005
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Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Looks to me like that pilot bushing is so bad munged, it's probably fitting the trans pilot so tight that it can't spin freely inside the bushing like it's supposed to.
Change the pilot bushing. When you put it back, use a socket or something, that hits it around its outer edge ONLY.
When putting the trans back in, if you don't have a clutch alignment tool, have somebody get in the car and hold the clutch down while you wiggle the trans in all the way. DO NOT attempt to "draw" the trans into the bell with the bolts!!!
Change the pilot bushing. When you put it back, use a socket or something, that hits it around its outer edge ONLY.
When putting the trans back in, if you don't have a clutch alignment tool, have somebody get in the car and hold the clutch down while you wiggle the trans in all the way. DO NOT attempt to "draw" the trans into the bell with the bolts!!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Thanks. If I pull it all apart again I will definitely do that. Its all together now. This morning I finally got it to go in every gear but reverse. Which I definitely need to pass inspection.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
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From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
So today I started it in reverse and it was good until I tried changing gears. It wont change unless I kill it change a gear and start again. Is it just not moving the pp enough or is this something else? Thanks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,513
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From: Aridzona
Car: `86 SS / `87 SS
Engine: L69 w/ TPI on top / 305 4bbl
Transmission: `95 T56 \ `88 200-4R
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Probably.
Put the trans. in 1st or reverse.
Hold the pedal to the floor.
Start it.
Rev the engine some.
If the car moves, the clutch is not fully releasing, so probably insufficient pressure plate release.
Put the trans. in 1st or reverse.
Hold the pedal to the floor.
Start it.
Rev the engine some.
If the car moves, the clutch is not fully releasing, so probably insufficient pressure plate release.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
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From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Exactly what I did. I drove it a little in first and reverse. I just can't get it out of gear while running.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 27,819
Likes: 2,406
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Still sounds like your pilot bushing is so fornicated that the trans pilot can't spin freely in it.
That's basically the same thing as having a little tiny clutch that's always engaged, besides the main one.
It's obviously mutilated. Not alot of sense in doing a bunch of "maybe it's this, maybe it's that" while there's a visibly blown-away destroyed part that is completely capable of producing the observed behavior.
See my signature for a handy troubleshooting mental discipline.
That's basically the same thing as having a little tiny clutch that's always engaged, besides the main one.
It's obviously mutilated. Not alot of sense in doing a bunch of "maybe it's this, maybe it's that" while there's a visibly blown-away destroyed part that is completely capable of producing the observed behavior.
See my signature for a handy troubleshooting mental discipline.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Its new. It came with the clutch kit. That was marked while installing the motor. It really isn't bad just looks bad. I will pull the transmission out and buy a new one if the problem isn't solved by Friday. Thanks
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Drain it first. Ha ha. Its the bottom bolt on passenger side. If you need a pic let me know.
Last edited by weswisehart; Apr 13, 2011 at 12:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
The Pivot Ball is a ball that is screwed into the bellhousing on the driver's side. When you press the clutch, hydraulic pressure pushes on the slave cylinder which in turn, pushes the end of the clutch fork. The clutch fork pivots on the pivot ball.
Here's a pic of the basic setup (although the pic is something off a Vette):

Hope that helps.
Here's a pic of the basic setup (although the pic is something off a Vette):

Hope that helps.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 309
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From: Montana
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 350
Transmission: T56
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Did you ever figure out the problem with the clutch?
I put my old WC T5 back in my car so I can get my T56 fixed.
I'm the same problem and I cant figure it out. it will only go in gear when the car is off, but wont go in any gears while running. and when I barely let off the clutch pedal, it instantly takes off with no riding on the clutch, and I've also noticed the car will still move even when I have my foot on the clutch.
We tried bleeding the clutch, but we aren't getting any bubbles anymore.
any ideas?
Id really appreciate if some one has a solution.
I put my old WC T5 back in my car so I can get my T56 fixed.
I'm the same problem and I cant figure it out. it will only go in gear when the car is off, but wont go in any gears while running. and when I barely let off the clutch pedal, it instantly takes off with no riding on the clutch, and I've also noticed the car will still move even when I have my foot on the clutch.
We tried bleeding the clutch, but we aren't getting any bubbles anymore.
any ideas?
Id really appreciate if some one has a solution.
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Did you ever figure out the problem with the clutch?
I put my old WC T5 back in my car so I can get my T56 fixed.
I'm the same problem and I cant figure it out. it will only go in gear when the car is off, but wont go in any gears while running. and when I barely let off the clutch pedal, it instantly takes off with no riding on the clutch, and I've also noticed the car will still move even when I have my foot on the clutch.
We tried bleeding the clutch, but we aren't getting any bubbles anymore.
any ideas?
Id really appreciate if some one has a solution.
I put my old WC T5 back in my car so I can get my T56 fixed.
I'm the same problem and I cant figure it out. it will only go in gear when the car is off, but wont go in any gears while running. and when I barely let off the clutch pedal, it instantly takes off with no riding on the clutch, and I've also noticed the car will still move even when I have my foot on the clutch.
We tried bleeding the clutch, but we aren't getting any bubbles anymore.
any ideas?
Id really appreciate if some one has a solution.
The load is your pressure plate (resistance to lift), the fulcrum is your pivot ball, and the effort is your secondary cylinder.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: McGregor TX
Car: 91 RS T-top
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3:42 fourth gen disk brake
Re: t5 wont go into gear
There was a ring on the pivot ball. Similar to a washer. I removed it and finally got it in reverse. After driving it a while it seemed to be a lot better.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 12
From: Elk Grove CA
Car: 86 trans-am 1LE G92 WS.6
Engine: 305 LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 2.77 soon to have 3.45
Re: t5 wont go into gear
Guys I'm having this issue I purchased everything used except the important stuff clutch, flywheel, and complete hydraulic system are new I don't think the clutch is fully disengaged because it feels like the input shats is spinning I'm gonna try a pivot ball. I had turned the engine by hand with the wife hitting the clutch and it disengaged and engaged but I still heard some drag
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