New member - Transmission Question

[pjspider]

I recently purchased a beautiful 1980 Spider, however noticed when I when up a steep driveway it popped out of 1st gear and has happen since in 1st & 2nd gear going up or down hills. I've read probably shifter fork? I've had a mechanic look and drive it, all gears work, shifts beautifully so not sure I should go to the expense of a new transmission? My though was to have mechanic pull apart and replace necessary parts since they are readily available. Just want to make if don't spend as much in labor as I would have by just putting in a new one? I've checked multiple sites and have seen remanufacture from $1,200 - $1,800 and new (Lada) from $1,600 - $1,900 and ones from Poland for $2,300. Looking for some advice....

[azruss]

First and 2nd use the same shift fork, so this is a likely culprit. Its been a long time since i was into mine, but as i recall, they can be removed by removing the top shift linkage plate and the transmission itself doesnt have to be touched. By removing the plate you will be able to inspect all the gears and synchros. Others will chime in if i'm off base here.

[djape1977]

it can be done with gearbox still in the car

[ORFORD2004]

No you have to remove the transmission and you can do it yourself. Just take your time.

[vandor]

Are you people on drugs? To replace the shift fork (or anything inside the transmission) the trans has to be removed from the car and taken totally apart.
I would inspect all the gears for wear. I would replace, regardless of wear (unless they look brand new, which is unlikely): 1-2 and 3-4 shift forks, 1-2 and 3-4 sliders, 1-4 synchro rings and springs. These are the items that commonly wear.
You can also have your mechanic turn the 5th gear synchro ring and sleeve around, so they start using their unworn side.

[ORFORD2004]

I should probably start using drugs with the turbo i put in my car

[ORFORD2004]

Csaba, you just have to open the rear of the transmission to change the fork. And the worst part in taking apart a transmission is removing the 2 bearings that old the shaft near the cover. The rest is piece of cake if you take your time.

[pjspider]

Thanks for all the information, should I repair my transmission or buy a remanufactured one or one of the new "Lada" transmission?

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084


Pete

[djape1977]

no such thing as new lada transmission for spider

[vandor]

Csaba, you just have to open the rear of the transmission to change the fork. And the worst part in taking apart a transmission is removing the 2 bearings that old the shaft near the cover. The rest is piece of cake if you take your time.

This is the 1-2 fork, that is not in the rear of the transmission. To take out the 1-2 or the 3-4 fork you have to remove the layshaft. To take out the layshaft, you have to remove the bellhousing to undo the bolt at the front of the layshaft.
You can't do that with trans in car...

The other thing is that popping out of gear may be a combination of worn parts - gear, slider, and shift fork. All of them have to be inspected.

[vandor]

Thanks for all the information, should I repair my transmission or buy a remanufactured one or one of the new "Lada" transmission?

If you are mechanically inclined enough to be able to rebuild an engine, then you can rebuild a transmission. We sell reman transmissions for $1250, but I can also just fix whatever is broken, for a lot less money.
The Lada transmissions have a shifter that comes out much farther forward than the Spider, so they have to use a weird, long, 'S' shaped shift lever. The longer the shift lever the longer the throws are, the exact opposite of what you want in a sports car.