A bit of background might help. Fixing up a totaled 2005 Boxster 987 S with a 6 speed from an auction. Car was totaled in the front left. I fixed all I could myself and the car just went to the body shop this morning to replace the front rocker and spay the bumper.
Getting the lever into any gear takes way too much effort, like pushing the gear through a pile of rocks. About 5,000 miles ago a new clutch and short shift kit were installed and I recently spoke to the previous owner who said it shifted like butter when he had the work done. Could the accident have screwed something up? What are some areas I could check?
Thanks!
Did you check all the hydraulics? If any of that system was damaged it could cause this reaction.
I did not and didn’t know there even were any. I’ll start researching that. Thanks!
Without knowing the extent of the damage (photos would be helpful) it's impossible to say if the accident could have screwed something up. If it was a big enough accident the engine may have moved and caused pinching of the shift cables.
More info needed. Better questions get better answers.
Yes
Sure - lots of things. Look for crushing of the shift cables, anything displaced in the accident.
On the 986 I believe the system uses one reservoir, if that was carried forward a hit in that spot could damage the brake system in several ways and cause fluid loss. Don is right though, more information is useful, also the PO has no skin in the game so if the clutch and shifter work was cobbled it too could be an issue.
I assume the hydraulics Boris is referring to are the clutch hydraulics.
Another bit of missing info - is the rough shifting with engine running or engine off, or both?
If it's hard to shift with the engine running, there is a simple test for damaged clutch or clutch release hydraulics.
Running engine,
clutch depressed,
move the shifter to where it should start going into gear and hold it there with a bit of pressure. Reach over with your left hand and shut off the engine. IF it slips in easily as the engine is shut off the clutch is dragging (not fully releasing) for some reason. Could be the clutch hydraulics maybe, might be a damaged clutch.
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I had to replace most of the suspension components but the frame looked to be intact. The rocker was crushed and the wheel destroyed and pushed in. Door and seat airbags deployed.
Once I get it back I’ll follow the cable and hydraulic system to see if anything is amiss.
Just me but I would have gone to alignment first before body spray and finish to make sure all geometry is correct, sight isn't a perfect gauge. Hopefully in your case you catch a break, good job digging in like that on an ambitious project.
Correct, the PO has no skin in the game but I can assure you he is very friendly to chat with and spent an arm and a leg making improvements to the car.
The car was dyno’d at 360 HP!
Work done prior to accident:
Oil fed IMS kit
New clutch
Short shifter
IPD plenum
GT3 throttle body
ECU tune
Full headers back Fabspeed exhaust
Brake flush
Alternator
Serpentine belt
Plugs
Coils
Starter
AOS
Water pump
Thermostat
Brakes
Heavy duty trans & motor mounts
Professional ceramic coating
Rebuilt convertible top transmission
The clutch seems fine. It feels the same getting it into gear with the engine off or on but I’ll test it more when I get it back.
That pretty much leads to looking at the shifter assembly and the cables. Hopefully, nothing bad happened inside the transmission when it was crashed (I'm assuming it was moving when the crash occurred..)
