While driving I went to shift gears and had no gears?

2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
195,000 MILES • MANUAL
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JOMARIE0818
I was driving and went to switch gears and had no gears 1-5 or reverse. I can move through the gears without pushing the clutch in and there is no grinding or anything like that.
Mar 4, 2025 at 11:59 AM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,503 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yep, this happens when the clutch falls apart or the input shaft breaks for the transmission either way the transmission needs to come out to replace the clutch and inspect the input shaft. Here are the instructions on how to do the job so you can see what needs to be done. This video can help as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpBMj5ZY_bo

Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response of any problems so we can see what to help you with.



Mar 5, 2025 at 9:50 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,172 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
From that description it sounds like either the main shaft in the transmission failed, or the clutch has stuck in a disengaged position. If you were shifting at the time and stepped on the clutch and then it happened, I'd suspect the clutch more than the main shaft. Those trucks use an integrated slave and throw out bearing. It could be that the unit is worn and locked itself by wedging the bearing on the sleeve inside. I've seen similar more often than a failed input shaft. Normally in the case of a bad throw-out bearing cylinder I would do a full clutch service. You have to remove the transmission for any of it so no time like then to go through the entire clutch.

These might help:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-clutch
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throw-out-bearing-replacement
Mar 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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