So this [roblem has been occuring for the past two weeks and its driving crazy.

When you first start the car and drive it the shifts are normal.

My problem starts when i encounter traffic where you are constantly stopping and going. At that point its seems as though it is imposssible to shift gears. I litterally have to use both hands to shift. Note that it is harder to disengage gears than to engage them (ex : to go from 1st to 2nd ... its very hard to go from 1st to neutral and then not so hard to go from neutral to 2nd)
It really does feel as though something its really sticking.

Once the gears are engaged there is no slipping so im assuming my clutch is ok

Now when i finally get out of traffic and reach highway speeds, the shifts become easier ... but still not as smooth as when i first start the car


Any1 have an idea of what is wrong and how to fix it ???

I was going to trying to lubricate the shifter cables this weekend

Thx

 

Given your symptoms, I'd be looking at the clutch slave cylinder...it's failing, so your clutch isn't actually releasing all the way, causing the tough shifting.

Test: when this occurs, try pressing the clutch rapidly 2-3 times before shifting (on a weak clutch slave cylinder, this will sometimes build enough hydraulic pressure, momentarily, to get the clutch to release fully).

 

Sounds similar to my issues. Throwout bearing fell apart. A new clutch solved the issue, along with a second on the house.

 

You can also try to replace the transmission fluid too.

 

I already changed my transmission fluid. It was my first instinct but unfortunatly it didnt help my problem


Tried this this week and it doesnt help. What would be another symptom of the slave cylinder ?

Since my gears engage correctly do you still think it would be the clutch.
Why would my clutch fail during traffic and work fine when driving normally (highway and normal city).

Thx for ur input

Im going to try to lub my shifter cables this week and see if that will help.

 

update :

Just cleaned the linkage using some simpel dawn degreaser (linkage was really dirty) and reapplied some Silicone Lube .

So far gear changes have been super smooth and the problem seems to be fixed !

 

I'm having the same problem on my 2006 MCS with 82K miles - same exact symptoms. Exactly which linkage did you clean and lube?

Thanks

 

My problem ended up being a bad bushing on the linkage's counterweight.
At first lubing it up helped but the problem quickly came back.
I ended up simply removing my counterweigth assembly which solved the problem completely (it has been 4 months now)

The counterweight assembly is very easy to remove -> one simple bolt.

Hope this helps