80 series Gearbox Problem

Sounds like a clutch problem to me . The clutch is mostly neede for 1st and reverse . I had asimilar problem in my Gq ended up been a soft pressure plate not releasing the clutch plate . It could also be a week clutch master loosing pressure , try pumping the clutch pedal when this happens .Venus Bay

I had a similar problem with a car years ago. Back out the drive, stop, try and select first gear and crunch. It got so bad that I had to stop the engine disengage the clutch, select 1st, start the engine and then proceed. Always happened when the car was cold, never after it warmed up. Took it to a transmission specialist and was advised that the clutch plate - flywheel had worn so smooth that a partial vacuum had formed within the friction plate recessed rivet holes.

When the slightly warmed friction plate came into complete contact with the cold flywheel the warm air trapped within the rivet recesses cooled and formed a partial vacuum sticking the friction plate to the flywheel. Disengaging the clutch only released the pressure plate and the friction plate remained struck to the flywheel. The fix was to remove the clutch and drill very small holes through the rivets which would allow the air pressure to equalise between the friction plate and the flywheel.

Next morning and from then on no problem. At the beginning I had trouble digesting the transmission specialist's explanation but had to agree he was right.
This is probally due to the difference between a specialist ( with experiance )and and dealer mechanic.

Hi Stan,
Don't have an answer to your question,but thought I'll add my bit on 80 series gearboxes. In 2000 I picked up a 95 model 80 series for $ 16000 in very good nic, the bloke who had it couldn't sell it because you could not down change into 2'nd unless you doubled the clutch ( that scared a lot of people off). Anyway before I bought it, I rang 5 transmission places in Brisbane, everyone of them knew the problem straight away, a couple of them even finished the sentence for me. Three said if every body drove a Nissan they wouldn't have a job. This was there opinion not mine as I have had toyota's all my life & own 2 at the moment.

Joe

Gday Stan
The 80 has a spigot bearing on its way out or as mentioned earlier, a worn clutch.
With the spigot (that sits in the rear of the crank and holds the input shaft of the box) you should hear it complain whilst idling in gear at the lights. U may also feel the car wanting to proceed. You will definately have crunching problems between some or all gears and double shuffling will help this.
With the clutch, check that there is no or little play in the clutch fork when pedal is up. This is on the bellhousing of the gearbox.
If you decide to replace the clutch look for a Daycan clutch for it and a new spigot brg aswell.
Andrewwheredayathinkwer mike?