Won't shift.

[tommyt]

My 78 FJ45 has all of a sudden decided not to shift into first or second. It will once it comes to a complete stop. Shifting up works OK but coming down is where the problem is. Double clutching works to get into 2nd from 3rd, but not into 1st. 3rd and 4th up and down are OK. My clutch adjust seems good. With the clutch pushed in I can spin the disc. I believe the 1st/2nd gear synchro is the problem. Have I missed any thing? How this first came up was I came off the hyway and stopped. I was unable to get the trans out of first no matter what I did. I popped the top off and everything appeared to be OK. The synchro from what I could see of it didn't look bad. It has stayed in first once since then. I rocked the truck with the clutch and got it to let go.

 

[orangefj45]

sounds like it may be a release problem. maybe a broken damper spring in the pressure plate?!

how's reverse?

 

[Boulder Cruiser]

I had the same problems in my truck, it ended up being the detent balls, two of the balls were missing. Very easy and cheap fix, if thats the problem.

 

[tommyt]

To answer the first question.m Reverse seems OK. The missing ball idea is sound. I found all three balls under the springs. Are there more in the top cover? When I'm rolling and move from 3rd to 2nd it grinds. the same holds true from 2nd to 1st. If I stop there is a very minor gear clash and then it goes in. If the detent ball was bad would it allow me to shift at all? I have heard of the detent ball keeping the shaft in place and not allowing any movement. At this time I can shift, but with grinding coming down through 2nd and 1st while still rolling.

 

[dargreg]

Sounds like and hopfully not but maybe your needle bearings are gone in your input shaft alowing it to drop so first and second are hard to engage ,3rd and 4rth are at the rear of the shaft and are not effected.