Known 3rd gear issues 85 250sx

[jays375]

Getting ready to look at my 85 250sx that has a third gear problem.Already have purchased a manual.Before I got started is there anything that I should look for?I am fearing the worst that it is a bent shift fork.It will sometimes catch 3rd when downshifting,but wont's stay.This machine came to me on a trade and no nothing about it.

[jays375]

Any ideas or what else to look for?

[rugman316]

I am in the process of diagnosing the same problem. When you pull the cover off the flywheel side there will be a bolt by the shifter its number 21 on the parts list I found that mine was broken off so when I get that bolt replaced I am hoping that fixes it but it seems wierd that it would only be third gear and not all of them but I have my fingers crossed. Also I have read that the number 8 on the parts list will also back out sometimes or break off causing alot of problems. Hopefully this maybe will help you if its not one of those two things from what I have read you will have to split the cases to fix it.