Well I ran into a problem on the se-r.

I always hated this rediculously heavy clutch. Too much for what I needed. But ever since installed it needed constant adjustment.

Well Now it will not shift into gear. Logic tells me its in the clutch and/or counterparts. But it is acting goofy. I have been reading through the threads about the springs popping out etc. but I dont think it fits this problem. So here goes.


(this is with a less than 100 mile OEM Clutch cable adjusted to max. I have went through about 5 cables and the bracket has been modified since day 1 so my modification has worked for 2 years now, no reason to think now it is not working properly)

car running, all gears grind.
Car off goes into all gears fine.
Start car in first gear (clutch in, I still have the switch connected) it lurches forward then stops and I release the clutch and it does not grab until almost at full release.
Then any other gears are obtained through rev matching and some force.
I dont know maybe I am missing something. But it grabbing at full release says that it is disengaging the clutch, yet it not allowing it to go into gear says it is not engaging.
Just looking for some ideas. The transmission will be dropped, I just have to wait a month. Just had my Gallbladder removed and am on lifting restriction. I hate to replace both. But I like to buy parts ahead of time, to save downtime. Obviously the problem should reveal itself. But does this sound like a transmission issue? Reason I ask is there is a 95 g20 @ the boneyard and another local se-r is eyeing the tranny up. But if it sounds as if the trans is fine then I wont worry about it and just focus on new clutch etc.

NOTE: I dont think it means much but I just got it off the dyno drove home, that night it wouldnt work when I went to go out. Next day get admitted to hospital!

So any thoughts would be appreciated. This is still the stock tranny so I do not know what symptoms arise when they are getting ready to give up the ghost. And quite honestly I have never been easy on this transmission.

im thinking a busted clutch, as far as how? it can be anything though i doubt its a spring like you said.

more along the lines of the clutch falling apart and the housing area is full of debree

My turbo '94 was doing exactly what you are describing, although I did not try to
drive it & rev-match, figured it was a bad clutch.
This is what I found - broken spring perch in disc:
http://www.sr20forum.com/general-sr20/196689-broken-clutchmasters-disc.html

After installing the new clutch setup, it was acting the same - would not go into gear
with the engine running. I played around with the adjustment some more and got it
to work. I figure the cable is/was stretched, so I replaced it with a new GA cable
recently. It works better now, but the GA cable had to be adjusted to it's maximum
length, with the thumbscrew at the very end. The GA cable was $29 vs. $53 for the SR.

I have had this same problem two or three times. It has been in each and every case broken springs or spring retainers in the clutch disc.

My guess, based on the data you provide:
Stretched cable. Call Dre. BEG for his spacers and the brace for the cable mount. Pay whatever he charges. It'll work.
#2 bet - busted springs in the disk. Unlikely is it the fingers in the plate.
Go first for a brace an spacers for the cable.
Jer

Thanks for the link to the pic! I did not see that in my search. But then again when searching "tranny grind" there is 150 threads LOL! That picture, since I am more of a hands on guy than a head smart one, really put it in perspective. This is a very good possibility. I am leaning very Hard toward the clutch but I have a feeling it just may be TOB. But I am getting closer to pulling it out. I just ordered the new clutch kit today since no matter what I am shooting for a lighter pedal to quit breaking cables. Thanks for the help guys!

you know what if its been getting worse little by little over a period of time it may be the throw out bearing .

but let me ask you this when you get down closer to the floor with the peddle does the peddle start to get more stiff than it was at the beginning? if so then it is more than likely going to be a spring flopping around getting caught up in fingers

No sir! it does not get any stiffer. At the moment the OEM cable is adjusted to the max. Where as a week prior it was fine, and I still had about 20 threads to go. So then it starting getting worse and I adjusted it out. Pretty soon I was at the end of my rope so to speak, and it wasnt cutting it anymore. Yet starting in gear it would lurch as if it was engaged and then it would sit there, so I would let the clutch out and it would release at the top of the travel (of course it would since the cable is all the way out) So in one sense it is working and in the other sense it is not. Crazy! So I need a new clutch anyway. So gives me another good reason to dig in there. But I keep thinking what if the TOB became unattached to the clip, and something goofy has happened! I cant wait to tear into it. But looks like it is gonna be 2 weeks yet. And I really hope something jumps out at me!

So I finally am healed up from surgery. New clutch came yesterday so what the hell. Lets see what this problem is! Not the tranny that is for sure!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/froyd79/clutch002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/froyd79/clutch003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/froyd79/clutch001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v243/froyd79/clutch004.jpg
Well that about sums that up! So I need to do a few odds and ends while I am down there anyways! Glad it jumped right out at me! It is also a competition clutch BTW. I wasnt sure the brand since it has been awhile!

I havent really looked but is there a reason this happens? I dont doubt my driving style caused it but I usually upshift hard. Rarely downshift hard if ever.

car running, all gears grind.
Car off goes into all gears fine.
should have told you from the begining. sorry i didnt see this before now

car running, all gears grind.
Car off goes into all gears fine.
should have told you from the begining. sorry i didnt see this before now

Yes sir!

Years ago I had a sentra E (great for MPG) it had the same symptoms it turned out the TOB went south.

So I had a thought it may be a bad TOB, only difference was I could start this one in gear, and it would lurch a foot, then stop and I could release the clutch and Off I went. (not far of course haha)

I never had this happen to me or anyone else. So in a way it is kind of a good experience so now I know what it does! As I am sure this wont be the last time. Hopefully get her back on the road putting break in miles by the weekend. (a few problems I let go on for too long need taken care of) I was so happy to see that spring! Since i already bought a new clutch kit didnt really want to see just a TOB smiling at me!

Well I just got the new clutch in and it is working great! First time I go WOT w/ it basically since getting it back from the dyno and I blew 3rd gear out. So Clutch 1 tranny 0 Time for upgrade anyways I guess!