# Hard shift into direct drive **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** supra, toyota\ **Created:** [October 16, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124 "2016-10-16T16:58:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teqtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@teqtom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teqtom)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/1 "2016-10-16T16:58:55Z")
1983 Celica-Supra P-Type, 38K miles. Garage kept, never abused… I have a really hard time shifting into 4th gear. Rebuilt clutch master & slave, adjusted pedal. Buttery smooth 1st-3rd. 4th does not grind but requires a lot of force to shift. 5th shifts ok, but feels vague; hard to tell it’s in gear. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/2 "2016-10-16T17:14:48Z")
Have you checked transmission oil level? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/3 "2016-10-16T17:21:51Z")
Synchros . . . ? ---
**Author:** ![teqtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@teqtom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teqtom)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/4 "2016-10-16T17:45:38Z")
Yes. Clean and full AMSOIL 75w90 GL5. Changed anyway. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/5 "2016-10-16T18:03:16Z")
With a car this age the linkage can get worn and out of adjustment. That’s what I’d check next. ---
**Author:** ![teqtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@teqtom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teqtom)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/6 "2016-10-16T18:59:11Z")
Doubtful. Does. Not grind one bit. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/7 "2016-10-16T19:10:12Z")
Maybe something is under the boot by the shifter, or clogged up by debris etc. PS a friend had one of a similar vintage we did some touring in, great car! ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/8 "2016-10-17T01:12:27Z")
GL5 may be damaging your transmission. Although your immediate problem is likely a synchronizer or the intermediate bearing problem unrelated to the oil GL5 is a rear/drive axle lubricant and is a blend that deteriorates synchronizers. Is there a whining noise when idling in neutral with the clutch released? ---
**Author:** ![teqtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@teqtom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teqtom)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/9 "2016-10-17T03:11:39Z")
Solved. Shifter knuckle bushing cracked. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 3:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/10 "2016-10-17T03:19:18Z")
Good that its solved but I think you should check to make sure the fluid is approved by Toyota. I don’t know much about GL5 vs GL4 except when trying to get the right stuff for my snow blower, but I do recall an issue with the one not being compatible with some bearings. So I’d get the stuff from the dealer to make sure you’ve got the right stuff. ---
**Author:** ![teqtom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@teqtom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/teqtom)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/11 "2016-10-17T03:42:15Z")
Have the original owner’s manual which specifies GL5. Also spent 10 years in the service department of a Toyota dealer. We use this fluid in all of our cars without issue. Thanks for your response. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/12 "2016-10-17T05:09:22Z")
Well that answers that issue. ---
**Author:** ![tom418](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/da6949/32.png) [@tom418](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tom418)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/13 "2016-10-17T18:10:43Z")
Not all cars use GL5 in their trannys. Toyota’s older W50 5 speeds specify **GL4.** If you search for the phrase GL4 vs. GL5, you’ll find that GL5 is reported to damage brass synchros. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-shift-into-direct-drive/96124/14 "2016-10-19T02:54:00Z")
> [@teqtom](#): > > Shifter knuckle bushing Just curious, where is that part located? Under the shift lever? Or on the side of the transmission? Or where?