Help me Diagnose my '96 Corrola

[SVXr]

Hey guys . Wondering if you can help me diagnose my 96 Corolla 5spd? Driving home I was unable to get it into 5th gear. 1-4 are fine, I do have to push the clutch in all the way t the floor. However when I try 5th it makes a grinding noise and does not go in. My first thought is a clutch but reading some of the threads on here leads me to believe it’s something else. I checked the fluid and it is full. What else can I do to diagnose this? I really don’t have the money to have a mechanic tell me it’s the clutch.
Thanks
SVX

[speedy25]

If 1 through 4 work well then its NOT the clutch. Next check is shifter linkage check/adjustment, and if you dont find anything wrong there, you probably have a lunched trans.

-SP

[SVXr]

Thanks for your quick response. Well I started to look at the linkage and all looked okay which brought me back to the fluid level. Well it turns out that yes I had fluid however I also had air in the line. I bleed the system and walla.

Thanks for everything.
svx

[hungt1999]

it could be a symptom that your clutch master cylinder or the slave cylinder is slowly failing

with the engine running, do the following test in your drive way:

- engine running
- put the hand brake ON
- stick to neutral
- hold the clutch down with your feet for about a minute
- don't release the clutch yet and try shifting into any gear
- if you cannot put into gear or it is grinding, it means either the master or slave clutch cylinder is leaking internally

I had that problem with my 96 corolla last year, it turned out to be the master cylinder

[Rip The E Brake]

Yea, you master or slave cyl's are leaking if there is air in the line. It will only get worse over time. Replace now before it leaves you stranded somewhere.