[zipfactor]

Hey all,

I've been having trouble shifting lately on my 1998 Saturn SL2 with a 5 speed. I had lubed the shifter cables and bushings on both the transmission side and on the shifter. I inspected the bushing that is problematic on the shifter and it seems to be ok. My slave cylinder on the hydraulic system was leaking slightly, so I replaced the hydraulic system. After all of that, I am still having trouble getting into first. I tried what the haynes manual suggested for checking to see whether the clutch was disengaging, and to check whether the clutch and / or pressure plate was bad. Everything checked out ok. I cant seem to get into first from a dead stop. I'm kind of at a loss here. If anyone has any suggestions as to what my problem is, let me know. The only thing that i can think of that is wrong is my pressure plate is on its way out, and therefore i need to replace the clutch. I had tried shifting with the car off and it is smooth. Thanks all for the suggestions.

Ben

[Jmark]

Since first has a syncro like the other forward gears, IF the disk in the clutch is not completely stopped, it will not engage when sitting still idling. Easy way to test whether or not the clutch is disengaging enough is to try reverse. Reverse has no syncros and if the clutch is not letting go completely, it will grind when trying to go into reverse. If that happens, coupled with not going into first, (no grinding, but just won't go), then it may be clutch time.

Mark

[zipfactor]

yeah im thinking so too thanks for the reply. It grinds every once and a while, like a couple of times a week so time to fix the clutch.