Shift fork?

[lah2420]

Here's the run-down. I purchased an AX15 to rebuild for my 87 YJ. It's been in and out twice now for locking into 5th gear. Parts replaced---bearings and seals, 5th counter gear, shift sleeve, syncro, keys, springs. I just received and put on the shift sleeve tonight. When everything is assembled, the sleeve is very hard sliding on the counter gear. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like the sleeve is VERY slightly cocked to one side. If I take the shift fork off, it all seems to straighten up. How can I check to see if the shift fork is bent? Just looking, I don't see anything obvious. I've had my hair cut off because I was pulling it out over this. Any suggestions? I would really like to get my ride back on the road before winter sets in again.

 

[lah2420]

I should hopefully be getting on the road again soon. When I woke up at 4 something this morning thinking about it, I went out to the shop to look into the shift fork issue. There was absolutely nothing wrong with it. For the heck of it, I took the shift rail out. The end the shift fork attaches to was bent about 1/16 inch. I bent it back into shape and the problem seems to have gone away. I have a new shift rail coming in the next couple of days. Keeping my fingers crossed. This swap has taken over a month and a half now.