3rd gear grind

[johnnyboy_10138]

So, it only really happens when i am driving slow, like in traffic, but when I am putting the tranny in third going slow, it sometimes grinds and i have to pull it back to neutral and shove it into third. It has happend like 5 times in traffic after about 7 thousands miles of ownership. My 85 jeep has done this at all speeds, but it is 25 years old with similar millage.

Should I worry. I hope it is nothing. I am about to be away from the zed for about 5 months, so I hope it is nothing. Military life is rough. Not too worried about the zed, more worried about not being able to drive it.

 

[AlanJ]

Take it you have a standard 'manual' gearbox' ? A standard manual box is of the constant mesh type, in which all gears are always in mesh but only one of these meshed pairs of gears is locked to the shaft on which it is mounted at any one time prividing drive to the rear wheels, the others being allowed to rotate freely. The gear lever manipulates collars using a set of linkages, so arranged so that only one collar may be permitted to lock only one gear at any one time; when "shifting gears", the locking collar from one gear is disengaged and that of another engaged. So here's a possibility that the collar for 3rd gear is damaged or the helical 3rd gear cogs are damaged not allowing for a smooth change. Difficult to say anymore without a real hands on test.

You do say that you change into 3rd when going slow. 3rd gear is an accelerating or overtaking gear in the normal course of driving and would not normally be engaged at slow speed so there may be something in your driving style. As the issue doesn't appear to happen in other gears then it's unlikely to be the cluth engagement/dissengagement during a change.

Stay safe wherever you are going.

 

[chrismann85]

Alan, you sound like an engineer

 

[AlanJ]

Alan, you sound like an engineer

Of sorts but my knowledge and experience has come out of investigating what causes failure (mechanical issues or human error) and then allowing a higher authority to determine liability particularly in the event of a fatal result. AND I just love cars!

 

[johnnyboy_10138]

Thanks Alan. Yeah, my driving style probably doesnt help it, I just moved to a big city and never really had to deal with traffic before. I guess when I get back in December I will take it in and get it looked at. I have a small list of things that i will be getting done when I get back.