difficulty downshifting 5 speed

[2old4this]

We have had our 89 Eunos 4 a few years now and it does not like downshifting from 5 -4 . There is no damage 2 it, we r clutching properly, it just sort of locks itself out of 4th. Has any 1 else got/had this problem ? What did u do about it ? I rekon something needs a kiss with a grinder at the gate. Am I on the right track ? I'm not a very gearboxy type of bloke. Its not a major , more of a nucience. Any feedback appreciated. Cheers

[marcellarius]

The shifter assembly is a little more complicated than that On the 5 speed transmission, the shifter is lubricated separately from the rest of the transmission, and has a rubber boot protecting it from grime. If that has failed, it may have let dirt get in and is causing the shifter to stick.

This guy is .. uh.. interesting.. but explains how to overhaul the shifter turret and also explains how the shift mechanism works:

Overhaul:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biBjZhmkxZc

Explanation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANRaTCqL4DE

[marcellarius]

Someone mentions this problem in the comments on the second video. Mike suggests that it could be due to the gearbox running low on oil and starving the 4th/5th gear.

Checking your transmission oil or just getting it changed might be a good start.

[warrior]

This is what I would do.

1. Check the condition of you lower and upper gearbox boots/rubbers, I bet they are no good, most of them are not. replace them.

2. Change the oil in your gearbox and turret , if the boots are no good then the turret oil may be dry. might as well do your diff at the same time.

Test drive.

3. If still no good rebuild you shifter, I have done this on both my cars and it helps.

The standard mx5 gearbox hardly ever has problems so it is more than likely one of the problems above.

[chris]

Sorry - I couldn't read that.

The spelling caused me a migraine.

Check fluids. Do a shifter rebuild and buy a dictionary.

[2old4this]

Thanks u blokes. Iv got an idea of what's going on now :-)