Manual Trans Feels Sloppy

[dmag23]

My '87 5-spd Pathfinder felt like the transmission had just about reached the end of its life, I thought. When driving down the road, I'd rest my hand on the shifter and I could feel the gears slapping around through the shifter when I go over bumps, etc. Like there was excessive play in all the gears. Not a problem, with 235,000 miles, I figured it was just worn out. So I purchased a factory new transmission. Got it installed and filled with Royal Purple synthetic 75W-90. Now, it does shift through the gears much better, but I still feel things slapping around through the gear shifter just like it did before. It's like there is excessive end play in all the gears. Is this just the way the manual trans is? Or do I have a faulty brand new transmission?

[jj big shoe]

Could it be the backlash in the rear diff needs adjustment? Maybe the u-joints have a bit of excessive play in them. I'd take it to a driveline specialist shop and have them give it a look-see.

[unccpathfinder]

can you define slapping around? i mean my stick in both my 87 and 95 shake in gear esp if i hit rough roads...i believe that mainly comes from where the shifter goes into the transmission theres a little space in there for the ball and socket connection there that actually moves the mechanisms to shift so there is some play there...plus the shifter is so long that a little movement at the base of the shifter translates into about 2 ins or so side to side at the top of the shifter while its in gear...

 

my roommates camaro and my buddies trans-am's shifters vibrate and have a good bit of "play" and their only like 5" (stock camaro) and maybe 2" (custom short throw) long shifters

 

and just a side note did you fill it to the proper level...i would be curious if the new transmission had the fill level plug relocated to the correct level...if not i would make sure i filled from the top side (shifter input)

[dmag23]

You could be on to something. The rear diff does/did have alot of play. The rear end, in my opinion, was pretty much worn out so I took it in for a rebuild. Maybe when it comes back the trans issue will be fixed also.

 

The new trans did come with the old fill hole location, but I did get 5qts of fluid in there. By slapping around I mean that it feels like the gear set inside the case is loose and sliding (slamming) back and forth on the main shaft. Given that the original trans did the same thing I'm hoping the culprit is the rear diff. I'll find out soon enough. Thanks to both of you for the feedback.