Transmission issue - 5 speed

[roycehof]

Festiva experts,

My son has been using my 93 Festiva for college. He called me and told me that when he went to get out of 5th gear, it was a little tough to get out and then when he went to put it in gear it wouldn't go into any of the gears (including reverse). I plan to go up and look at it this weekend. The way he described it made me think it is a linkage issue. I have removed and rebuilt these transaxles before so don't be shy on telling me what you think it is. By the way, this is a fairly fresh rebuild (new bearings and seals) Any thoughts on what could be the problem.

Thank you - Royce

[sanjeet]

Could also be low on transmission fluid and a good place to start, probability if CV's have been replaced, the dip stick is part of the speedo cable hook up to the gear box, topped mine up with engine oil stabilizer and it freed up the gear changes.

[eurotiva]

Or the clutch could be way out of adjustment.

[MONSOON]

Whats that one part inside the tranny thats been known to break? Im heading to work or Id look, but someone will know what Im talking about.

[mechanicaldj]

Whats that one part inside the tranny thats been known to break? Im heading to work or Id look, but someone will know what Im talking about.

the shift gate has broke inside the trans

[ejp2fast]

check the linkage and related stuff first....if thats all good its internal.

[roycehof]

O.K. Guys - Just got home to check it out. It must be something internal. Everything seems to be o.k. externally. Good thing I kept my old transmission from when the input shaft bearing went bad. I will take out tomorrow and crack it open. I'll get back with everybody on what I find.

[MONSOON]

the shift gate has broke inside the trans

Thats it! I knew someone would know wth I was talking about.

[roycehof]

Ok ALL,
It snowed here yesterday, so I spent the day rebuilding my old 5-speed (I have a freshened up 4 speed I was going to use but decided to since I couldn't work outside to rebuild the 5 speed).
Got done the rebuild and was going through the shift pattern when it was acting the same as the one in the car. I pulled it apart again and found the 5 gear partially "in gear" locking out the other gears. Strange - what are the odds? So I went out this morning and played with the gear shift over by 5th gear. Heard a click and everything is fine now. Drove it around for quite a few miles and it seems perfect. Only thing I can think is that when my son went to drop out of 5th it hung up a little (Not enough to engage it but enough to keep it from engaging other gears). Seems really strange and I wonder if anybody else has had this happen.
The good news is that I now have two back-up rebuilds ready to go if it does happen again.

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

Since you guys seem to know a lot about transmissions, can you comment on these problems:

1. My WA 88LX with 185K makes grinding noises when shifting into 2nd above about 25mph (when trying to use engine braking descending a mountain).
2. One of my AK 92Ls with unknown mileage (speedo cable was broken when I bought it) makes a smaller grinding noise when shifting into 5th as I reach freeway speed after acceleration.

Are these "syncromesh" problems?

[roycehof]

The problem you are describing would most likely be worn synchronizers. To remedy worn synchros, you need to remove and dis-assemble the transmission. Most people choose to live with it although eventually it will make shifting very difficult. Double clutching the gears with the problem should minimize the "grinding".

[rancheeto]

does anyone know if an aspire trans will fit a festy, 5 spd to 5spd?

[Pu241]

does anyone know if an aspire trans will fit a festy, 5 spd to 5spd?

Yes, but the final drive ratio is lower due to the Aspires larger weight.
So MPG will suffer, but will be back on the road.

[rancheeto]

sweet thanks, thats all i need right now. my truck is gettin 10 mpg, and s&h is running now

[JPT]

does anyone know if an aspire trans will fit a festy, 5 spd to 5spd?

Aspire trans is a bolt in as long as you use the Aspire front trans mount (it will only use 2 holes). The festiva mount won't work.

The car will feel quicker and will get a couple of MPG less.

The ratio difference is Aspire - 4.06:1, Festiva - 3.777:1