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

Check that the clutch hydraulics are completely bled. Also make sure that your clutch fork is riding on the pivot ball properly and is seated with the TOB correctly.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

Did I install something wrong?

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?

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.

There is very little or no gap at all. But the throughout bearing isn't lined up straight. Is this normal?

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.

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!!!

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.

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

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.

Exactly what I did. I drove it a little in first and reverse. I just can't get it out of gear while running.

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.

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

I'm going through the same thing, I hope my issue is just air in the system. How do you drop the tranny without dumping fluid all over the ground?

Drain it first. Ha ha. Its the bottom bolt on passenger side. If you need a pic let me know.

I feel stupid. I originally thought you were talking about that throughout bearing. Were would I get a new pivot ball? Autozone does not carry them. Who would? Thanks.

try carquest or gm

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.

If your clutch disk/ pressure plate are new, and while the clutch pedal is pressed down, and the car still moves, either your secondary cylinder isnt pressing the fork far enough to disengage the clutch fully or the pivot ball is so worn down it isn't giving it enough leverage to disengage the clutch. The pivot ball is the fulcrum of the fork.

The load is your pressure plate (resistance to lift), the fulcrum is your pivot ball, and the effort is your secondary cylinder.

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.

this is all helpful info...im in the same situation...im gona go get a new pivit ball rite now......lol...

ok guys i order one from oreillyauto parts and the tread on it is different.

where did u guys buy urs at?...

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