Hi All,

I am having a problem with an M46 transmission, and I am not sure if the problem is caused by a worn out clutch, or internal transmission wear.

Engine/transmission have 300,000+ miles. The clutch has about 160,000 miles on it. It engages right off the floor and there is no slack left in the cable, which normally means that the disc is worn and need to be replaced. However, the clutch does not slip, even under full throttle acceleration.

The problem is that I have a lot of difficulty getting into 1st and 2nd gear and, to a lesser extent, 3rd and 4th, although 4th usually slides right in. When I started to have this problem, about 5,000 miles ago, I noticed that the gears engaged easily with the engine turned off, so I thought that the clutch was the cause of the problem and bought a clutch kit that I just haven't had time to install yet.

Now, the car does it with the engine off, too. Getting into 1st gear is sometimes d**n near impossible. 2nd is almost as bad. Other times, it shifts with no problem, but it is still a little notchy. When it is really bad, I feel a lot of resistant in the shifter. I basically have to "slam" it into gear.

Other symptoms: unless I keep my foot on the brake, the car "crawls" forward in 1st gear. Also, when I push the clutch in at speed, the revs slowly drop to idle speed instead of immediately dropping.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.