Cannot shift into any gear?

JOMED7

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN HARDBODY
3.0L
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

Initially the clutch went out. It is a hydraulic clutch by the way. It was replaced with a new one. Immediately upon test drive all gears difficult to shift into. I could drive using 2nd and 4th gear but it was still difficult to shift but drove fine. Truck sat 2 years. I have it running again but the same problem. Can't get it into any gear without thinking I'm going to break it. The pedal was feeling pretty loose, not stiff at all. The fluid looked decent and not low but replaced it with some new fluid. Still nothing. With the car off I can shift, no noises. With the car on, I can't shift to any gear. Master cylinder maybe? Bent fork? (Fork was not replaced. I didn't do the work so I'm not sure if it's bent. If I put it in first gear with vehicle off, then start the truck, it will lunge forward. A complete clutch was installed - plate, bearing, flywheel. Have not replaced fork, master or slave. Thoughts?

Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 3:47 PM

28 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

It sounds like the slave or the clutch master cylinder. Since it can be shifted with the engine off, it isn't a transmission or linkage issue. The clutch isn't releasing.

I attached the clutch bleeding procedure below. Take a look and let me know if you have already done this. If you haven't, try it to see if there is possible air in the system. Hopefully, that is all that is wrong.

Let me know.

Take care,

joe

See pics below.

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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 11:16 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Hi and thanks for the reply. I see where the damper is. Question though. Those lines do not attach to my master cylinder, but a couple do go to the brake master. Does that still help me bleed the clutch system? If so, do I then need to bleed the Clutch Master? I am replacing the clutch master thinking that might be the issue. I understand that it is slave first then damper by the way. Just wondering about damper part of it and if I then bleed the master last, or not? Thanks

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Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 AT 8:51 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

It's been a while since I've worked on one of these, but if I recall, the brake master cylinder also functions as the clutch MC fluid reservoir. That is what I believe you are seeing.

And yes, after the new clutch master cylinder is installed, then follow the bleed procedures.

Let me know if that takes care of the problem. I'm hoping it does because if the slave is the issue, I believe the transmission needs to be removed to replace it.

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 AT 6:35 PM

JOMED7

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20 POSTS

Link to the vacuum pump if it opens for you.
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-vacuum-pump/p/oemtools-vacuum-pump/2080_0_0

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Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 AT 1:50 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Update to my own and Last 2 Posts. I bled slave and damper once again. Felt pretty confident there's no air but still a little skeptical. Did the gravity, not the pump.
Anyway, put truck in gear - Then started it, didn't lunge forward but did move forward so I left it in second gear and drove. Was able to shift from 2nd to third and back (with some resistance) 1st gear was tougher but did go in. Also, could force it into reverse. Gears did Not grind but it definitely wasn't smooth as it should be normally. Took a little muscle. Shifting was easier when I was moving as opposed to from a stop. Clutch pedal feels decent but maybe too easy? Maybe should have a little more resistance - maybe. Feels like the clutch pedal has a lot of travel distance, from all the way up to pretty much the floor. Not play so much as travel distance. It is a 1995 so maybe that's why. Thoughts?

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Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 AT 4:00 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

It sounds like there could still be air in the system or the slave or Master Cylinder is bad. As far as a bent fork, do you think the person that installed it would have checked or noticed?

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 AT 10:13 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Hey Joe, so both Slave and Master are brand new. Just put those in. I'm thinking the guy would have noticed a bent fork when he installed it. Not sure what else I can do to try and get more air out short of a vacuum pump or a professional doing it.

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Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 AT 6:36 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

Did you follow the directions I listed above? That is what the manual indicates needs done. You can do it as well as a shop.

I agree about the clutch fork. If you have a helper press the clutch pedal, can you see the slave working? If the hydraulics are working and then it has to be mechanical. Don't laugh, but is the transmission fully seated against the engine? Is there a chance you got a faulty pressure plate or release bearing?

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 8:25 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Hey Joe,

Yes, I followed the instructions. Basically, slave first the damper. I did that, until I didn't see bubbles. Need to check the tranny to engine seating tomorrow. And yes, I suppose the pressure plate or release bearing was faulty. No clue though. Also, when I bled the slave, I did see the slave working. Everything was fine there.

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Thursday, July 6th, 2023 AT 9:27 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

If the slave is working, then it's either a mechanical issue internally or how it was put together.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

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Friday, July 7th, 2023 AT 6:27 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Well, had a mechanic come and rebleed my system. He feels confident it's the synchronizers. Says it's why I can shift when it's not running and why It's very difficult to shift when it's running. Ugh not the news I wanted. What's your thoughts Joe?

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 10:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Did you have this issue prior to replacing the clutch assembly? Synchronizers don't just fail. If there was no problem before, I doubt that is the cause. However, anything is possible.

Did the mechanic check the transmission fluid to make sure it was clean and full?

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 11:54 AM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

No problem prior to clutch failure. It was running fine, then I heard a pretty loud thunk/noise and then basically had no ability to shift. Then a new clutch was installed and after that I had the current problem which is difficulty shifting. He did not check transmission fluid as far as I know. Dumb question, is there transmission fluid in a manual? I assumed clutch fluid was part of that.

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 2:15 PM

JOMED7

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No problem prior to clutch failure. It was running fine, then I heard a pretty loud thunk/noise and then basically had no ability to shift. Then new clutch installed and after that I had the current problem which is difficulty shifting. He did not check tranny fluid as far as I know. Dumb question, is there tranny fluid in a manual? I assumed clutch fluid was part of that.

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 2:15 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

There is transmission fluid. It's actually GL4 gear lube. See pic below. If it is low or excessively dirty, it can cause a hard shift. This is absolutely worth checking.

Here is a video I found on YouTube. The young man did a nice job explaining things. Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAlgOmp4pv8

Let me know your thoughts.

Joe

See pic below.

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 3:55 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
20 POSTS

I will check the transmission fluid myself. Where I'm checking for the fluid has a bolt with a recessed square opening, like it would fit the end of a 1/2 drive ratchet or extension without the socket. Is that what I use? Also, can you confirm for me please if this is what I use if it's low?
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-4; SAE 75W-90 or 80W-90.
Thanks, Jose

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 3:55 PM

JOMED7

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20 POSTS

Just realized after I sent this last text that you had responded with a YouTube video.
Thanks, I will look into this first. You've been amazingly helpful and kind, Very much appreciated :)

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 4:00 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,071 POSTS

Hi,

You are very welcome. I hope this is all that is needed. Rather than adding fluid if it is low, drain it and refill it with the 75-90 GL4. It has 200,000 on it and I suspect it has never been serviced.

Let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 4:17 PM

JOMED7

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I will let you know. Thanks

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 AT 12:12 PM

JOMED7

MEMBER
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Hey Joe, so I changed transmission fluid completely. It actually drove better but not all the way back. I have to start it in gear or force it in to first then start it. Once I am driving it shifts from 2nd to 3rd then 4th and 5th with no problems, Drives great. After a complete stop it's very difficult to get into 1st. 2nd is a little tough but not bad and then I can proceed and drive great once moving. 1st gear and Reverse I have the most trouble with vehicle running. Both those gears are fine if I put it in gear prior to starting but both of those gears will cause the car to move slowly forward or in reverse, but it will go. So, I don't have trouble shifting while driving/moving and by the way I can force it into 1st while it's running but very difficult and I have to turn it off completely to put in reverse and then it will go. Reverse is the only one I hear some grinding, like it's spinning and so have to turn it off and then put it in reverse.

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Monday, July 17th, 2023 AT 1:21 PM