Is it really the clutch?

[Iriss]

Hi, I bought this little 94 Geo Metro to drive around town. It's great, except it's hard to put into 1st and 2nd gear. 2nd gear is especially hard if I'm turning a corner and need to down shift, it just won't go in unless I'm going 10 miles/hr.
Is the problem the clutch? the tranny? or something else? my experience with other stick cars tells me it's definately the clutch but...

Also, if anyone has a junky one of these and wishes to sell parts let me know. I'm looking for a windshield right now.

Thanks all!

[Iriss]

I just called the neighborhood pepboys and they want $400 to change the clutch (if it is in fact the clutch) because "it's a front wheel drive". Why is it so expensive? and COULD THIS BE DONE AT HOME & SAVE THE $400? THANK YOU!

[rscox62]

Originally Posted by Iriss

I just called the neighborhood pepboys and they want $400 to change the clutch (if it is in fact the clutch) because "it's a front wheel drive". Why is it so expensive? and COULD THIS BE DONE AT HOME & SAVE THE $400? THANK YOU!

I have the exact same problem. I posted this problem in this forum and the geozukigti guy said it is a worn second gear syncro. My dad who is a mechanic thinks it's either some clutch lockout and if it was a synchro problem that the gears would grind. let me know what you find out

[pind]

here's the deal, if it happens equally in all gears, its a clutch problem, if it happens in only certain gears its a synchro problem. I have been an automotive adn heavy equipment mechanic for the better part of 20 years. this is experience talking, draw your own conclusions

[geozukigti]

Pind has a point. If it's just 1st and 2nd, it's a synchro problem. Very common of geo metro's. I picked up a 2000 chevy metro trans for $350 last winter. Only had 12,000 miles on it. If a wrecker asks for more than that for a geo tranny, they're nuts. It's actually pretty easy to put one in yourself too. Only takes a couple hours.

[Iriss]

Thank you for all your replies! So, if I'm it is a synchro problem I have to change the whole tranny?

[pind]

Unless you have an itching, burning desire to rebuild the tranny you have, and a bunch of time to spare, it is easier and cheaper to install a used, low mile transmission. It can be done in about an hour, 2 hours if you dog it.

I have done this kind of thing several times, as my time to rebuild a tranny is worth more than a used one.

Good luck on whatever choice you make.

[geozukigti]

Synchro's are really expensive too. I was gonna rebuild my old GTi tranny, and it was $106 alone for the whole synchro assembly JUST for 2nd gear.

[Iriss]

Thank You All!