Transmission help

SkipB · #1 (**permalink**) 01-18-2004, 10:06 PM

I have a new Tremec 3550 (lesss than 300 miles) in my Backdraft. It slips out of 2nd and sometimes 4th gear when I am just cruising along. I thought it was just me not shifting it all the way into each gear, but it continues to happen. Any ideas? I put this on the transmission discussion and cancelled it after I thought it was just me not being firm enough. Now, I really slam it into gear and it will pop out when backing off on the throttle and/or when I am not putting the power to it. Are there any adjustments to be made? The syncros work great, but just won't hold in gear. No problem with 1st, 3rd or 5th. I cut the carpet back to make sure it was not pushing the lever and see nothing in the way of the shifter. Help?

Hal Copple · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2004, 04:53 AM

some times the rubber boot can pull the gearshift lever to a more neutral position, or out of gear. Why don't you remove it and see, if so, you can get a leather one, or move the boot down lower, hold it there with a wire tie around the lever opening.

A fairly common problem from what i have heard, the rubber boot thing, i mean.

Bonos · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2004, 05:04 AM

Skip B,
Check to see if the shifter is fully engageing in 2nd and 4th gear in which you may have to open up the area of the transmission tunnel for the distance traveled by the shifter when shifting.

Bonos

Jeff Hamilton · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2004, 06:53 AM

Do you know if it has a aftermarket shifter. They have adjustable stops that may need adjusting on your car. You would have one for the front (1 3 5) and one for the rear (2 4 ).
Jeff Hamilton

SkipB · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2004, 10:28 PM

Thanks guys!

I will remove the shifter boot to see if this is making it fall out of gear. (It is worse when cold, so a stiff rubber boot may be the problem. When warm, it seems to lessen.) There appears to be nothing in the way of full shifter travel. And yes, it is an aftermarket shifter as this transmission does not come with a shift lever at all. I just hope it is something simple like that. My real question involves any adjustments that could be made if the boot is not pushing it out of gear. Can a 3550 be adjusted at all?