Hard shifting, mechanical problem?

[daschrier]

I am having a very hard time shifting recently. Not only into gear, but getting the car out of gear as well. I don't think it's a gear oil issue, but an issue with the shifting fork. Last time I cleaned the shift boot, I put some lithium grease on the shifting "ball", but was told that lithium grease dries out, so that may be the issue. What grease should I use? Also, what other points of contact should I look into for lubrication issues?

Car is 2004 sentra 1.8 5 speed with RP maxgear in the gear box.

 

[unDummy]

RP Maxgear is a thick gear oil. Switch to something thinner like RL MT90, SF MTL-R, or Ams MTG.
I would even consider thinning the MT90 with MTL, or the MTG with MTF, or just run the MTL-P.

Make sure that the clutch is adjusted and lubed(if cable) or bled(if hydraulic).

They shifter rods/linkages might also need new bushings or lubing.

Start by dumping the RP.

Nissan uses polyglycol grease for the shifter.

 

[daschrier]

Yeah, I do need to switch out the maxgear, but I've had it in almost a year and it's just gotten bad the last few months. Maybe it's thickened as it's worn??

Clutch is hydraulic, I will look into bleeding it, and I'll look at the linkages this weekend. Thanks!

 

[TheLoneRanger]

That sure sounds like the clutch isn't fully disengaging to me. Like Undummy says, check the fluid level and bleed it.

 

[Kestas]

I remember this was a design issue way back when in the early 80s with Chrysler FWD product. The forks were made of stamped steel and didn't have the stiffness needed for crisp shifting. Changing the material to cast iron solved that problem. Some shift forks have pads on the tips that may wear.

 

[04SpecV]

It seems like other people have the same exact problem with MaxGear. I remember reading about it here.

 

[daschrier]

Alright, I guess it's time for some SF or amsoil

 

[stingray427]

I had this very same problem and was going to sell the car until I used the Redline MTL and that made a world of difference so I kept the car as the shifter was so smooth and slick after adding the Redline fluid.

 

[stingray427]

 

[daschrier]

A couple interesting things....

Last few days, shifting has been excellent when the car is cold, but gets sludgey when it finally warms up completely. When the car is off, it still is a little like shifting through sludge. Wouldn't this negate a clutch release problem?

I bought some MTL-P so I'll see how that goes.

 

[stingray427]

You got the Redline? Let us know how it goes

 

[daschrier]

Nah, specialty formulations

 

[Tremo]

I run RP Synchromax in my BW T5. Shifts great!

 

[stingray427]

Redline MTL for my 5 spd. made the difference between keeping it or selling it. I kept it. Made shifting so smooth and slick like cutting the cake.