Won't go into 5th!!

[bender3581]

Hi guys!
Last night I was driving my Hj60 on open road and suddenly as I wanted to shift into 5th noticed that when I started to release the clutch it popped out, thought I didn't shift all the way,tried again,and again-same. Tranny was shifting great to this point-precise, no noise,whines etc. But the 5th always had this feeling that it isn't all the way in.
I tried doubleclutching it and it worked-when I managed to put it into 5th it stayed there-acceleration,decelleration,tried even bumping the shifter with my hand lightly while coasting-nothing - operating normally?!

I just got my clutch changed few weeks ago when I bought this truck, along with all the oils,u-joint,tie rods,... so I'm totally out of the money,and from previous experiences tranny rebuilds are $$$$.
I hope it is not a case for rebuild because of lack of noises,smooth shifting etc...
Is this a common problem with cruisers, any suggestions,advice?

Thanks!

 

[FJota]

I have the same problem on my BJ60 trans. Yes it is a common problem. But no one has told me what causes it. Here is the link to my posts.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/279588-5-spd-pops-out-5th.html

Good luck and let me know what you find out.

 

[bender3581]

I drove it today and it worked fine-no popping out

 

[ThePookieBear]

Ha ha! Maybe a rock jammed up in your linkage or something?

 

[FJota]

Wish my fix was that easy. Glad to hear it.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I use to have a HJ61 that jumped out fof 5th usually as the load was taken off the gearbox.
I think there is a spacer that gets worn and allows it to jump out.
Some say towing in 5th can cause an early onset of jumping out.

Another possibilty is the detente spring that holds it in gear if it has one on 5th.

 

[bender3581]

Little update on this problem-mechanic said that it's not worth to rebuild the tranny because of this-he sait that it's probably syncros, but can't be sure until he rips it apart, and that costs$$$$
I've learned to live with it and got a feeling for shifting into 5th so it won't pop out-slowly release the clutch while giving it some throttle and pushing the stick with my hand to stay in 5th. It still pops out sometimes but always while trying to get it in gear, never when driving in 5th-once it's in gear it stays there. Weird

 

[bigbrowndog]

Replace the detent spring and it should be ok. [see gearbox view in manual. Have you ever replaced the nylon bush under the shifter, makes a big difference also. My old rebuild pics are not loaded on this new 'puter, sorry.

 

[cruiser_guy]

As "bigbrowndog" has eluded to, there is a nylon/rubber composite ring under the shifter that does wear out. Generally that causes hard shifting. The 5 speed also has a nylon cup on the end of the shifter.

Before I spent big money and before I damaged anything I'd swap those parts out. All it requires is pulling the shifter out of the tranny top cover. Maybe a 1/2 hour job by the time you get it all done.

 

[T.Stanford]

Cruiser guy is right, my BJ60 did that on a trip to Jasper a number of years ago, it was the nylon component at the base of the shift arm. It's a simple and quick fix, all from inside the cab. Good luck, Tony

 

[bender3581]

Thanks guys-I'll try that-it can't hurt

 

[bigbrowndog]

Cheers, Start with the easiest and cheepest one first. The main problem is that 5th gear is really too narrow and as it wears it moves away from the ideal position and starts to jump out. There is a wider aftermarket gear available and another method is fitting a spacer. The later boxes were better with a revised selector and the spring position modified to increase holding pressure. I understand the parts are interchangeable but cannot say for sure. The gears tend to move apart as the box wears and the inboard bearings and shaft flex more because of the wear. Remember 5th is stuck on outside the box, most 5 speeds light truck boxes are like this.