brand new t90 really rough to get into 2nd...

I just installed a brand-new T90 in my CJ5. I've noticed that it's really rough to get into second gear--but only when I'm slowing down and downshifting into second. It goes in fine most of the time when I'm going from 1st to 2nd.

Any ideas on what could cause this? I've already tried pulling the topend off another t90 and swapping it on to see if it was just a gummed up shifter rail but it's still being difficult to get into gear. I find myself having to take it out of 3rd, put it back into 3rd, and then it'll go into 2nd.

Very strange considering this is supposed to be a brand-new rebuilt t90...

Also, the topend I swapped onto the t90 is off a cj-2a's t90, where the shifter lever is bent more than a 5's... but that shouldnt make any difference, right--they should be the same thing?

i'm at a loss for ideas.

- Evan

 

Need a little more info, is it grinding, can't seem to find it, or the shifter doesn't want to go all the way?

 

sometimes it'll grind like it's not finding the gear, while most of the time it just won't let me shift into second at all, or it's real stiff when it does go in.

 

sound like a 2-3 synchro assy problem to me
shift dogs out of place or in wrong
or
the synchro springs themselves could be too stiff
some folks try stiffer springs to help prevent 2nd gear pop out

 

I agree with Jim. First any grinding is likley to be caused by a syncro assembly. The other symptoms you discribe would be from the shift tower having worn, wrong, or bent parts. I.E. wrong springs like Jim said.

 

would the "wrong parts" in the shift tower be because it's a shift tower from a cj-2a's t90?

 

no
the internals, shift forks etc in the towers are all the same
the stick and its bends can be different
I use the CJ5 tower on my Jeep
longer, more positive throw/feeling to me
the springs I am referring two are the half circle wire springs that hold/put pressure on the 3 shift dogs
if they are to stiff, then the synchro sleeve has a hard time compressing them to move/shift over the synchro hub
maybe they are out of position
have you tried shifting with the tower off ?
you can move the 2-3 sleeve back and forth and look at the shift dogs

 

here's a closeup exploded view
the springs are the two almost full circle wire springs on each side of the synchro (6.100.4)
see the offset on the sliding sleeve or shift collar ? (6.080.9)
could that be in backwards ?

 

I have also seen guys double up the poppet springs to try and keep it in gear.

 

I'm not sure. I'll have to check it. I would assume everything is installed correctly. I bought it as a new tranny from Krage and installed it.

- Evan

 

might give them a call on Monday then before you disassemble