I have an '85 244GL with a manual transmission. Last week, it started becoming increasing difficult to get into first gear and the shifter seems misaligned (it's almost touching the dash). Once in first it seems to shift alright and the clutch seems fine. I'm not much of a mechanic, but I thought I might be able to get some ideas here for what could be the issue.

Thanks,
Eric

 

Eric, unless you've recently done lots of repairs, I'd take a real good look at your transmission mount as well as your motor mounts. While it is normal for the bronze pads on the 1-2 shift fork to wear out (thus the bronze pads...they are replaceable) the perceived movement of the shifter points to mounts. It's also possible that the bushings on the shifter itself are shot. How does it shift into 3rd?

 

Thanks for the ideas. Now that you mention it, the shift into third may be a little harder than it was before. Any estimate of the time/cost for new bushings for the shifter? and/or transmission mounts?

 

An hours worth of labor will do the mount and bushings. Parts are dirt cheap, maybe $5 bucks for the shifter bushings and $20 for the mount.