Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

The following definitions are being provided to establish a common language and assist the user in describing transaxle related conditions.

SHIFT CONTROL RELATED
Binding - a shift condition where a driver feels resistance/light friction when shifting into gear.
Cable drag - a kink or bend in the cable that results in rough or binding shift feel.
Cold gear clash - a grinding/growling sound that is made when attempting to shift into gear during cold conditions.
Double bump - a shift condition where a driver experiences two separate peak loads when shifting into gear.
Gear clash/grinding - a grinding/growling sound that is made when attempting to shift into gear. Usually caused by a worn blocker ring or blocker ring spring.
Gear rattle - a rattle that usually occurs at engine lugging conditions or low idle speeds with the transaxle in neutral and the clutch engaged.
Hard shift (dynamic/engine running) - difficulty in shifting when vehicle is in motion.
Hard shift (static/engine off) - difficulty in shifting when vehicle is not moving.
Hop-out - condition where transaxle will consistently disengage from gear without operator assistance.
Intermittent hop-out - condition where transaxle will periodically disengage from gear without operator assistance.
Spline lock - a "scallop" feature machined alternately in the internal spline of the synchronizer sleeve designed to engage with the gear (clutch teeth) to prevent hop-out.

CLUTCH/CLUTCH HYDRAULICS RELATED
Clutch shudder - a repeated jerking sensation caused by the slipping and grabbing of the clutch disc when releasing clutch/launching the vehicle.
High pedal effort - when an unusual amount of force is required to depress the clutch pedal.
Pedal vibration - a vibration that is transmitted through the clutch pedal.
Spongy clutch - spongy feel when depressing clutch and usually an indication of air in the hydraulic system.
Squeaky clutch - when a squeak is generated while depressing or releasing the clutch pedal.
Inoperative clutch - non-functional clutch.
High engage point - long clutch pedal travel during pedal release before the clutch disc engages.

NOISE CONDITIONS
Final drive noise - a howl/whine related to vehicle speed and is noticeable in all gears.
Gear noise - a whine that is due to gear contact that is related to a certain gear and vehicle speed. The noise disappears after an upshift. The noise is usually "gear profile" related.
Gear clicking noise - ticking noise observed on every rotation of a gear pair that is usually caused by a "nick" or "ding" on a gear tooth.