Hard Shifting

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - NV3500 Manual Transmission
HARD SHIFTING
Hard shifting is usually caused by a low lubricant level, improper or contaminated lubricants. The consequence of using non-recommended lubricants is noise, excessive wear, internal bind and hard shifting. Substantial lubricant leaks can result in gear, shift rail, synchro and bearing damage. If a leak goes undetected for an extended period, the first indications of component damage are usually hard shifting and noise.

A damage clutch disc, pressure plate or clutch adjustment are additional causes of increased shift effort. Incorrect adjustment or worn/damaged pressure plate or disc can cause incorrect release. If clutch problem is advanced, gear clash during shifts can result. Worn or damaged synchro rings can cause gear clash when shifting into any forward gear. In some new or rebuilt transmissions, new synchro rings may tend to stick slightly causing hard or noisy shifts. In most cases this condition will decline as the rings wear-in.