CJ5 Shifter won't go into gear

[KIMEIRE]

It was working fine. I noticed it was hard to shift on the way to work and the same coming home. Normally shift into 1st and idle down driveway slow, it wouldn't go into 1st. Had to force it into 2nd. Tried to put it into reverse to back into my parking spot and it wouldn't go into gear. Had to force it into 2nd to turn around and park.
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing!!! I have less than a week to figure it out because I have to move next week.

ANY AND ALL HELP OR IDEAS WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!!!

 

[Torxhead]

I would suggest looking at the usual suspects first, Like the clutch and has there been a noticeable slipping or could it be out of adjustment. You could try double clutching to get it in gear. Check the pedal free play and the tranny oil level. After that you have to dive into the Transmission itself. A T-98 is really a monster, and sometimes not easy to shift. Welcome to the forum, Jeeps are really a lot of fun.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

T'head has you on the 'rite' path.
How much clutch pedal free play to you have?
What kind of shape is the clutch linkage in?
Have you ck'd the tranny oil level since this started?
How many miles on the tranny?
When was the last time the clutch was replaced?
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Clutch
Clutch adjustment
Clutch linkage
Oil in the Transmission
An issue with the Transmission top

I think we need a more specific description about exactly what is happening. It won't shift or I had to force it just isn't enough information to work with. Tell us about your clutch. Tell us about your clutch linkage. Tell us about feel and sound. If the CJ is stopped with motor off, can you shift it into gear, first or ANY gear. We absolutely need more.

 

[KIMEIRE]

The clutch is good. Transmission fluid was just changed the week before. I took top of Transmission off and fluid level is good. Took top of Transmission to WillysRestoration owner he said the shift forks were good. He said problem was probably inside Transmission .
I had him drive it to get his opinion on "everything/anything" when I had him do the fluids (I had him do the fluids so I could watch and learn to be able to do everything myself). He drove around and said that it "Runs Great and handles better than any CJ5 I've ever driven". He also said that the top spring on the clutch could stand to be tighter, but that it wasn't really bad and we ordered one. As far as the sound and feel, there was no change until that day. I had to use the palm of my hand and slam the shifter with excessive force (and I'm a long way from being weak physically) to go into gear. It did occasionally, like once a month, driving everyday, pop out of gear in first or second at slow speeds. There was no vibrating. Clutch has about 1" to 20" play at the top but other than that it is Tight.
I can post pics of inside top of Transmission and shift forks when I get home from work tonight if it will help.
Thank you for your responses so far!!!!
Gotta go to work. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!

 

[HackFabrication]

What gear lube did the shop use on the T-98 ? These have brass synco's that don't behave well with certain lube chemical make-up (GL-5 shouldn't be used). If you were previously using GL-4 lube, then I would go back to it if the shop put GL-5 in it. Although it seems unlikely that such a short exposure to the corrosive additives would cause your issue, it's best to drain and go back to a GL-4 product.

Unfortunately, this sounds like an internal problem, which means it's going to have to come out of the Jeep for a 'look-see'.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Time to pull 'the box' and have a pro look inside.
LG

 

[Posi]

If the forks have been inspected and look good I believe your issue could be with the top cover. The shift rails, forks and shift lever are all captive in the top cover. I would remove the top and put it in a vise, shift thru all gears. If it shifts hard you have found your problem, if it's shifts as it should then your the 2nd gear syncho is done, and you need a rebuild.

If you need a Transmission rebuild do the top cover as well.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Very good point!
Or if the cover is binding when you tighten it down, that could also be a possibility.
LG

 

[KIMEIRE]

Thanks guys for the ideas. Wasn't able to get to it last night after work. I'll aim for tonight, although things are pretty crazy (supposed to move to a new house on this Sunday) Hopefully I can get a look at the top before dark.
I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT GETS POSTED!!!!

I have only had the Jeep since Feb of this year and didn't get it running until April. The p o told me nothing but BS about....well....everything.....
So I'm learning the hard way. I'm teaching me and I don't know Jack about what the heck I'm doing.
Work calls gotta go thanks again keep em comin

 

[Hedgehog]

Not to be to pointed in the question, but are you sure you have a T-98 ? If so it certainly did not come stock in your '80 CJ5 . The T-98 is a strong 4 speed Transmission , from what I understand a predecessor to the T-18 .

Here's an exert from Jeeptech.com

Transmission

The T-90 3 speed was the standard Transmission for the CJ5 for many years. It's close brother, the T-86 3 speed was used with CJ-5s with the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 V6. The T-14 replaced the T-90 and later the beefy T-15 was used with CJ5 with the AMC 304 . The T-98 was an optional 4 speed for the CJ5 until 1971 when the T-18 became the optional 4 speed. In 1976, the T-150 became the 3 speed for the CJ5 . In 1980, the heavy duty 3 speeds and 4 speeds were no longer offered. The lighter duty SR-4, T-4, T-176, and T-5 were used. The CJ5 never came with an automatic from the factory.

Jeeptech.com is a great source for technical but understandable jeep information.

 

[KIMEIRE]

Top and inside T-98

 

[Hedgehog]

Did a little more research which has proven that case casting marks can be very confusing. Some early T-18 's had the T-98 markings on the shift top. The top and the case are virtually identical between the two. Jeeptech.com says that the T-18 guts will fit in a T-98 case. Also one of their examples of what an early T-18 should look like is actually a T-98 case. No matter what it appears that your T-98 or T-18 didn't come stock in your CJ. That's not a bad thing, both are very strong transmissions. I hope this helps your repair in some way.

These are strong reliable transmissions. I am not much of a believer in coincidences when it comes to transmissions. With the top cover off with the Transmission gears in neutral check to see if the syncro's (the brass/gold colored gear like rings) are loose. Use a flat pointed screw driver and gently try to move the syncro's forward to back. They should be relatively loose. If they are not pop'em loose and change your gear oil to a decent dyno oil. Check to see if the sliding collars are loose and moveable. These old transmissions weren't made for the newer Transmission oils.

 

[Posi]

I agree with HH that you'll find some early T-18s with T-98 tops.
The Transmission the OP posted is a T-98 .
For years everyone used GL4 in the old Transmission . GL4 is still available but you can't find it everywhere, for an alternative use GL5 I have been using GL4 for years but switch to GL5 to make things easier while changing the tcase and diffs (uses the same GL5 fluid) Even the big adapter companies recommend GL5 for use in T18s.

 

[Hedgehog]

Please educate me/us. How can you tell a T-18 from a T-98 by looking at the pictures? What do you look for?

 

[Posi]

Casting # on the top cover and case.

Is it possible the gears are T-18 ? Yes, but with the case and top belonging to a T-98 , and gears being very stout my money is on the original T-98 gears as well.

Hope this helps.

Edit: I just noticed both pics casting number are from the top. To be 100% I'd have to see the casting # on the side of the case.

 

[Hedgehog]

Did a search and many of the older T-18 covers had the very same casting numbers as the T-98 . In the end of it all it really doesn't matter much. JeepTech.com says that the T-98 tended to wear out bearings and the T-18 has better oiling.

Again this is largely academic in nature.

 

[Posi]

I didn't search, but from my experience some T-98 covers were on the early T18s as I previously mentioned. The OP "says" it's a T-98 , if he posts pics maybe we can ID it for him.

 

[KIMEIRE]

More Transmission pics

 

[Hedgehog]

Dana 300 Transfer Case . With the typical leaks.

I almost bet that your CJ came with the deserved much hated SR4 Transmission and the Transmission was swapped (including an adaptor kit for a T-18 /T-98 to the Transfer Case ) for something much better.

Did you have the chance to check to see if the syncro's are good and loose? If they are bound on the gears that would cause your shifting problems. You haven't said, what Transmission oil did the shop use for your fluid change?