Problem Changing Gears On Avensis 5 Speed Manual!

[Vlado P.]

hi,

my car recently started having problems when changing gears, although the gearbox was impeccable before.

namely, sometimes (and it's getting more often) that car wont shift, or shift very difficult into 2nd and reverse?!?!

i'm not noticing problems with the other gears, just 2nd and reverse, with reverse being worse and sometimes wont shift at all.

i'm asking for your help diagnosing the problem :((

i read somewhere that there are some sort of cables, going from the gear shift to the gearbox (one for left-right and one for forward-backward movement), which can stretch or loosen which could lead to poor shifting?!?!?

avensis 2.0 petrol (1az-fse) 2005

5 speed (plus reverse) manual

thank you for your help!

[BigMo82]

Could it be the release bearing for the clutch?

Mo

[Vlado P.]

Well the bearing squeaked several times in the past year but i sprayed some spray grease past the rubber and the noise went away!

Won't a bearing failure manifest with difficult shifting into any gear?

[BigMo82]

My brother Punto used to suffer worst in 1st and reverse and it was the release bearing. I have to get the clutch done on mine after I figure out my idling issues.

Mo

[Konrad C]

I think is could be gearshift cables related too.

Now since 2nd gear is left back and reverse right back, they are on the extreme. The 4th gear goes in easily since it is centre.

I would also look at trying a different technique to see if that helps. I had the problem of changing up across the gate from second to third gear and back. I changed my technique and the gears were fine. 1st gear can also tricky.

I did greased the cables too!

You may be right about the fault not being the clutch because first gear would be just as affected.

When the car is moving, it is easier to change up as the revs match closely. The faster the easier. I know this from experience because, years back I had a Fiesta and the clutch cable snapped a couple of times. First time I happen to have a spare cable so drove a short distance and changed it. The second time, I drove home and had to stall it at stops. When going up through the gears they went in easy. This extreme and not the same but next point is similar.

If you pump the clutch a few times, does it help? Is the slave cylinder showing signs of leaking? Had this in another car and it was the slave cylinder. Again I don't think this is your problem, but thrown in just in case.

I also noticed with my car that the cooler temperature seem to affect the quality of the gear change, harder to select.

Changing the gearbox oil may or may not help.

The cables cost a lot, unless you can find a specialist who are cheaper.

I wish the cables could be adjusted, it would make life easier.

Konrad

[Vlado P.]

thank you both for your replies!

i tried pumping the clutch just yesterday, however i wasn't able to notice any difference in shifting. i wasn't able to see any leaks on the slave cylinder either, and i changed the gearbox oil a couple months ago, thinking it was the reason for poor shifting, however it didn't make the slightest difference. the brake fluid i.e. clutch fluid was replaced last year with ATE Racing Blue DOT 4.

what seems to make a difference is if i press hard on the gearstick, left (when shifting into second) or right (when shifting in reverse), it seems as it shifts into gear easier, although this is more pronounced for the reverse, not so much for the 2nd gear.

are these gear cables visible from beneath the car, so that i can take a look at their condition?

[Konrad C]

The cable are sheathed with only the ends exposed at the gearbox end and the gear lever. You need to use silicon grease or other suitable grease at the exposed ends. This may help.

Access to the gear lever end will need the removal of the centre console. There is no Haynes manual for the Mk2, but somebody on the forum may be able to assist. When I did mine, I used the Haynes manual and also observed where the screws are.

Every little helps and I hope this has too.

[Vlado P.]

i have accessed the gear lever by removing the center console before, so this shouldn't be a problem.

i was wondering if the gear cables can be seen and located from under the car, so that i can lubricate them, or check if one of them is perhaps damaged or knocked out of place?

i don't know if it means anything but when i move the gear lever left and right from neutral (not changing gears, just left and right), there is a strange noise (like scratching) from under the car, that is more pronounced when i move right, towards reverse?!?!

[Konrad C]

I think you need to get under the car, using ramps or use garage lift/pit to inspect the cable. With extra help you can locate the noise and see if the cable is damaged.

Then you can decide from there.