i think the proper way to put this is my tranny is locking up. my N/A 83 280zx tranny was rebuilt about 60000 ago so i was told. the problem is i am having lots of trouble getting it into gear. almost impossible to down shift but will shift up sorta ok most of the time. it started this abruptly after i got off the highway. (topped out the car) the weird thing is i parked on a hill and when i went to leave i started it and pushed on the clutch which started me rolling backwards a little, as soon as i got it in reverse it stopped the car. i think there is a bad bearing/bearings right? when im sitting with it running clutch in and in neutral for a few secs, it wont go into 1rst or any other gear when i let out the clutch it will clunk a little but imediatly after pushing in the clutch again it will go into gear. i know this is general a question in my opinion but i was hoping it might be a z thing with an easy z fix

 

Have you checked your cutch fluid reservoir? It might be too low, or need to be bled.

 

but it rolls fine when the clutch is pushed in and the engine doesnt move the car at all

 

plus it is really hard to roll backwards even when i get it going in reverse as soon as i push the clutch its like the brakes were on. but its not like that in first

 

Drain the fluid and tell us what you see come out.

 

Don't overlook the transmission fluid. How long has it been since it's been changed? Old, rundown trans fluid can give the same symptoms as bad synchro's. If it's not taken care of then it may very well lead to bad synchro's as well.

 

sounds like a hydraulic problem, I can almost guarantee my trans is more beat up than anyone else on the board, and it shifts fine once you get the hang of it. I would take a good look at replacing the clutch master/slave.

 

i didnt think it was the clutch becuz when it was running clutch in and trans in reverse you could not push the car backwards. i draind fluid and it looked very exceptable. i dropped trans and when i put it in any gear it would not turn by hand. have not cracked case yet(thinking bout having someone do it)((either pay someone to do it or spend just as much on asprin right?))
everything in the transmissoin was fine until i spent 5 minutes highway racing (3rd 4th and 5th gear) and when i hit the off ramp stop light i realized i couldnt use 1st gear. that was a few nights ago the next few days downshifting was nearing impossible. either nasty grinding, or just locked out of gear <---(wwhen stopped completely)i hope the trans rebiuld isnt too bad(hopefully just bearings and syncros) that should only cost me a cool million to have done right?

 

0$ fix. the the nut on main shaft closest to the drive shaft and speedo cable which holds on reverse and 5th gear is not suppose to be tight but is locked in placed(backed off a quarter turn loose((left hand threads)))by mualling end of nut. when tightened simulates bearings going bad. i had price quotes up to 300$ to 1000$ to rebuild i guarantee they would have fixed my nut and took my money.