HDJ81 - troubles getting into 1st gear

[finderscuba]

Ever since I got this rig I've had issues getting it into 1st gear. I always have to double clutch before it will slip into first. The worst part is that it will not go in if I'm moving at all. This is getting really annoying, especially in stop-n-go traffic.

Clutches and transmissions are not something I've done really any work on before. So I welcome any suggestions. So far I've made sure that the clutch pedal is being depressed fully. Shifts into other gears are no problem, and I can practically ram my foot to the floor with no effect. The clutch pedal is easy to push. Could this be a transmission problem? Synchros?

The PO said he put full synthetic oil in the transmission. I could drain and refill to make sure if that might make a difference. The clutch is strong with no evidence of slipping. The gearbox shifts smoothly with no clunking or grinding. A bit more effort and slower shifts are required until it warms up, but that is normal by my experience with all my other vehicles.

Please help make this a more enjoyable ride.

 

[finderscuba]

Just to add a couple things:

The transmission is an H151F 5 speed.

When I grasp the shift knob and rotate, there is some play - maybe 3° each way.

Not sure if these are related. Again, shifting in all other gears is fine. And shifting into first after double clutching at a dead stop is fine.

 

[mot]

That sounds screwed up!

I've had issues getting in the 3rd with mine up-shifting, but I got used to it and it was not that bad anyway!

Did the PO say that it used to work fine, but as soon as you got it it started acting up???

If you're on a flat road you can start in the 2nd, but wouldn't want to do it all the time (especially with your 35's, I guess!) and if you go wheeling you'd want to have your first gear.

Hope someone can chime in with helpful suggestions, other than the obvious/worst case of rebuilding it.

I've changed my tranny fluid and that had made a small difference, but I doubt your solution would be that simple.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[thedoctorhunting]

I have a 1991 HDJ81, same 5 speed manual as you have.
I put Amsoil full synthetic in all diffs, and trans for about 40,000 km now.
My first and second gear are difficult-impossible to shift into when the vehicle is very cold (<-5 C) but when it warms up there is no problem.
When warm it shifts easily.

 

[Tapage]

sounds like sincros top me .. but just a question ..

What about if you try not pushing the clutch pedal that far .. just try it with a little bit less movement just to see if it goes better ..

If does, maybe your pressure plate fingers are touching the flywheel ..

 

[finderscuba]

It feels like there is a mechanical lockout on first. Even if I come to a dead stop with clutch to the floor, I have to release the clutch and then push it in again in order to get into first. No other gear does this.

I've tried hitting 2nd before shifting to 1st, no difference. I've tried 3rd then 1st, still no difference. 1st is just locked out. The only way to get in is to clutch out then in again - and only at a dead stop.

 

[Tapage]

Usually when I shoft to 1st or reverse I shift first to 2nd .. and then to 1st or reverse ..

 

[ScottsHZJ80]

How many km do you have on your vehicle? Mine has been hard to get into 1st normally, and all but impossible when its cold, for most of its life and it has nearly 500 000 km on it now.

I have heard a few guys say these are known to have weak(ish) syncros on 1st and 2nd. I've just got used to double de clutching as a matter of course. I even had a young mate ask me "what's that you're doing when you change gear?" and had to stop and think for a minute to work out what he was talking about
No big deal, it becomes 2nd nature once you are used to it.

 

[retrofive]

Sycnros would be my un-educated guess. My 914 is the same way, double clutching just is second nature now driving it.... Probably will still double clutch even if I fix it someday out of habit. Pretty funny when someone else drives, I dont even think to mention it until the first shift of grinding. Oops, should have mentioned that. lol.

 

[finderscuba]

Update: this morning I started having clutch release issues. The clutch was grabbing with the pedal somewhere near the floor. When stopped with the pedal to the floor, it would still try to go. I'll have a look at the fluid level and presumably the master and release cylinders.

I'm wondering if the two problems could be related? I'd rather not have to drop the transmission to inspect my clutch, so I'll concentrate on the cylinders first. Hopefully something obvious.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Ever since I got this rig I've had issues getting it into 1st gear. I always have to double clutch before it will slip into first. The worst part is that it will not go in if I'm moving at all. This is getting really annoying, especially in stop-n-go traffic.

Really, you should be at a full stop when shifting into first gear... it helps save the synchros.If that's not possible, then gentle pressure on the stick and it should go into gear.

The wrong oil can cause this, or make it seem worse than it should be.

... The clutch pedal is easy to push. Could this be a transmission problem? Synchros?

Your Land Cruiser will have a booster on the clutch pedal, so pedal effort will be minimal. This is normal.

Also, from reading your other post, you should probably be changing your clutch master and slave.

~John