"KenA" <kabrahamsen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news

6udnQf5Y9MJ7b_fRVn-ig@comcast.com...
> 1987 Accord DX 223,000 miles.
> Original clutch.
> Sometimes almost impossible to get into first gear from dead stop - will
> go into 1st easily while still coasting to a stop.
> Very hard to get into reverse.
> No noise from transmission when driving - just hard to get into gears.
> Is the transmission gear synchronization going or is it only a worn out
> clutch?
> Thanks for your thoughts.
>
Same as Jim suggests - the clutch is dragging. There are several reasons
this may be so... a bad pilot bearing, friction of the clutch disc on the
splines of the input shaft, even a warped clutch disc. Other than a problem
with the clutch linkage (or possibly lack of lubricant in the gearbox), all
the other repairs involve the same as a clutch replacement.
The certain test for a dragging clutch is to jack one or both front wheels,
put the car in gear, hold the clutch down and start the car. Keep the clutch
down and ask a helper to see if the wheel(s) is/are turning. If so, the
clutch is dragging.
Mike