Tranny or clutch problem? a topic for ridicule..same ole

From : marsh monster

Q: .. this room hasnt changed a bit......... .. .. tranny or clutch problem from root@localhost adam ive got a 99 dakota with the 3.9l v6 manual trans. 86k+ miles shifting into second gear has become problematic both up and down. sometimes it hangs up and is difficult to shift and sometimes it grinds a little. this problem is most apparent when the engine is cold and especially when the weather is cold. when things warm up it shifts a little easier though i still find myself double-clutching into second gear. i immediately suspected syncros so i took the truck down to a shop. the guy had me start the engine hold the clutch in and then he shifted the trans from 1st to second to third back down etc. he said it wasnt the syncros otherwise it would be grinding during this procedure. i put the stick in neutral let out the clutch pushed it back in and shifted into second without any hangups or grinds. he said this strongly suggests a worn clutch saying the shifting action on the stick felt fine. he said that sometimes the clutch gets to a point where it does not fully disengage thus making it difficult when the vehicle is moving to shift into certain gears. i checked the hydraulic fluid level and its full. i dont see how a worn-out clutch would be problematic disengaging but im no mechanic. however the throwout bearing has been rough for a couple years; possible source of the problem i tried an experiment. going down a hill i held a steady speed and shifted between first and second gear with the clutch pushed all the way in. the tach reacted slightly each time i shifted by about 50-100 rpm. the garage i talked to said they could replace the clutch for $700. ideas are my syncros whacked is this shop bs-ing me is he right on the money he wasnt a tranny shop; i might take it to a tranny shop for their opinion. === === adam take it to a tranny shop. possible causes for the symptom..... pilot bearing fer all the nay-sayers...i would check that first after the tranny wuz out clutch set hydraulics synchros go figure......till youve had it checked over good. marsh monster tranny tech === === .