Hi guys,

 

 

I have to pull pretty hard the gear lever to get it out of gear in the morning, when cold. I usually leave it like this, with the handbrake down. If the car is parked inclined, once I manage to pull the lever to neutral, the car starts moving a bit, so it does something I guess. Yes, I am pressing the clutch all the way down all the time. Have you ever encountered this problem? Once I get it out of gear and/or start the engine, everything runs flawlessly.

Edited 4 January, 201610 yr by Alexandru

Your handbrake can't be working properly for a start,as that should be holding the car still,yours must be moving slightly and using the gearbox to hold the car still.

Have you tried pumping the clutch pedal a couple of times before trying to move the gear lever,maybe it's got a bit of air in the system so not fully disengaging clutch on first press?

Yep, I tried pumping the clutch several times and nothing happens. IIRC, this happens only when the car isn't parked on a straight terrain, doesn't matter if it's the facing uphill or downhill. I prefer leaving the car in gear because the engine's compression is sufficient to hold it still and it's winter, temperatures under -10 Celsius, rear drum brakes etc. The brake pedal though is ok, I can pump it a few times until it get's hard so I don't think there is air in the system. 

Sounds normal to me if your leaving it on a slope with the handbrake off. It's hard to move the gearstick because the load on the synchro hub. The clutch won't really free up much without the engine running especially if it's -10. Just start it with your foot on the clutch it isn't hoping to hurt anything where as tugging at the gearstick when it's difficult to move is going to stretch the gear change cables.

In this case it's better to start the engine with the car in gear, with the clutch depressed instead of pulling it out of gear?

Yes