Why Is My Gearshift Sticking?

It can be frustrating to try and shift gears only to have your gearshift stick in a gear or in neutral. What causes this and how can you fix it?

There are actually a few reasons your gearshift may be sticking and causing it to become more difficult to shift. Most people notice that this occurs most when trying to shift from first to second gear, but it can happen in any gear.

The Master Cylinder is Damaged

Your clutch system involves multiple components and there are many points where something can go wrong. However, when the gear shift is sticking, it’s possible that the master cylinder has been damaged. This will make it more difficult to shift and may eventually cause the entire clutch to seize up.

Transmission Fluids Are Low

Many people don’t change their transmission fluid as often as they ought to. If it becomes burnt or low, you’ll end up with gears that are trying to work without sufficient lubrication. This can be a serious problem and may cause the gears to lock up. It can cause damage to the transmission, as well, which may be irreversible.

The Hub Sleeve is Damaged

The hub gear bridges the space between the main gears and moves from side to side as needed. It’s designed to help the hub gear teeth mesh with the synchronizer ring teeth, but this doesn’t always work. The hub sleeve may wear down over time or become damaged and this will cause it to slip out of place. The teeth won’t mesh and this can result in problems with shifting from one gear to another.

The Synchronizer Teeth Are Worn Down

Thanks to the tiny teeth on the synchronizer gear, it’s easy for them to wear down. As soon as they are damaged, it becomes very difficult for the teeth to engage. The hub sleeve will be unable to sync up the teeth and this can result in a sticky gearshift.

The Gears Are Damaged

Your manual transmission gears see a lot of use and over time, they will begin to wear down. The normal wear and tear can cause sticking of the gearshift as the gears fail to engage. This does tend to happen more often with the first two gears because they are the ones that are shifted to and from most often. You may need to replace the gears in the transmission.

If your gearshift is sticking, it could be any number of problems. It’s nearly impossible to figure out which of these problems is the cause of the issue, so it’s best to seek the help of a qualified mechanic.



Have a sticking gearshift? Gearbox Specialists can help. Contact us today.