Trouble downshifting from 5th.

[rd_gonz]

OK i did the obligatory search, all be it a quick one I thought I would have gotten some hits but nothing!

Anyways, I have 72+k on the clock of my '00 LT, the 6 & 12k services have been within 200 mi. either side of that, so hopefully service shouldn't be a factor. At any rate for the past month downshifting from 5th. has required a bit more pressure than normal, I really didn't let it bug me because it was not happening very often. So in those all so infamous words "Just Ride It" I did! Well last weekend it was happening more often that not and now is just about a for sure thing, I even started experiencing this awfulness in 4th.

Has any one had similar probs with their trany? What and how did you fix it?

I'm in the garage doing a 12k service at the moment, just getting started pulling the tupperware off so it will be a bit before I get to the trany plug. Wander what that will look like?

Check yall in a while!

[dshealey]

Hope it is not serious! Transmission problems fortunately have been rare on the LT. Only been about three transmission issues that I can remember, Don Arthur, one other I cannot recall the name for, and lately Coni. Out of several thousand LTs that is pretty good.

Were you using synthetic in the tranny? Most of us found that shifting was much better with synthetic. Not likely that a change to it if you were using standard oil would "fix" anything though. Once a problem shows up and then progresses there is usually little that can be done to overcome it without repair work. It could be a linkage issue, but that would normally affect all gears, not just one or two.

[Bayliner2052]

Lube your shift linkage.

[Dochatley]

I gotta second what David and Vince said. Synthetic oil made a difference and keeping the linkage lubed really did the trick. Make sure all it tight to specs.

[DaveDragon]

Verify the shift linkage is adjusted and lubricated.

[Steve_R]

I have to agree on making sure the link is well lubricated. DAMHIK. Also, use white lithium grease. Checking the linkages and lubing them are part of my 12K services.

[rd_gonz]

Will do on the lubing the linkage and I run standard oil, haven't gone to the synthetic oils yet. Wouldn't the linkage be stiff thorough all gears and during up and down shift?

Take a look at the pics of the trany drain plug. I dont remember having this much flaking last go-round. Look a bit much for 12k since the last change, oil looked fine.

[Macker]

Gee Rene, that does look like alot of shavings. Some is normal but that looks excessive! Especially at 72K. I think others would agree? All of the advice is good but I wonder if you waited too long....or if something else is happening. Either way, that's a lot of metal on that plug.

[dronning]

Yikes I have never had that much metal on an oil drain without there being some sort of problem developing. It appears to be fine tailing so I'd guess a thrust or support washer.

Dave

[rd_gonz]

Yep, I thought it to be on the excessive side of what should have been there too.

Let me know if anyone runs across a trany at a bone-yard, just in case! For now I'll Just Ride It!

[Dick]

Hey, Rene - Edgar has the remains of his crashed LT down at my storage unit, butt I can't remember if there is a tranny amongst the parts, some of which he has sold or in the process of selling. You might ping him to see if he has one, or wait on me to drop by the storage unit Friday and take a look - then I'll letcha know.

[meese]

Hey, he's only got 72K on it. Are you guys sure it's broken in enough to go to synthetic? :)

Actually, that amount of shavings does look pretty ominous. I think you're looking at a tear down. And I'd probably tear it down sooner rather than later. Hard shifting is one thing, but the possibility of suddenly locking up the rear wheel is not good.

Oh, and I believe Edgar still has that spare tranny, as he recently offered it to Connie for her bike (she didn't need it after all).

Good luck with it.

[rd_gonz]

OK the bike is on the road and testing things out after this last 12k service. So far so good on the initial downshifting problem, lubed the joints on the 2 shift linkage rods and things feel fine. You boyz are good! I'll have to buy ya ll a Cuban coffee if you come into town. As far as all that metal on the drain plug, i'll just have to keep checking it and hope things don't get worse.

Thanks Guys!
The Cuban

[DaveDragon]

Good News! :)

[docwagner]

Good news is right. Just another comment about the shifter linkage, need to make sure the balls are screwed in tight with locktite on the threads. If they work loose this can be a point of failure.