grinding manual tranny

I think it was "It's always something." Anyhow, if you are grinding while shifting gears this usually indicates that the clutch is out of adjustment (inexpensive or do it yourself) or the transmission syncho(s) are worn and need to be replaced (expensive, at shop). I don't understand your comment on "back and forth motion." Good luck and post your finding. jor

I would guess your syncro is warn out but it could be a number of different things. I know when my tranny started to lock up on my Saturn I started double clutching and babying it. Clutch into neutral and then wait a sec and then clutch into gear. Worked for quite awhile actually until it finally locked permantently into 1st gear ...which happened at a furniture store garage with a double mattress/boxspring set strapped to my car roof. Not fun trying to drive home with that on your car, in rush hour, 10 miles away, in

I'm guessing you need clutch work. I'll go out on a limb here, you need the clutch master cylinder.

Ya that was actually what I was just gonna re-reply with. I went and checked my Saturn bill and that's what went on mine ...same symptoms, too.

With the engine off, stand in front of the truck and reach down and grasp the lower main pulley with both hands and see if there is any fore-aft play in the pulley. If there is, the thrust washers in the crankshaft have fallen out. This can be confirmed by dropping the oil pan.