I have an 89 S10 2.5L with a 5 speed transmission. Last week I went on a trip down to Georgia from West Virginia and on the way back I was traveling on the interstate and all of the sudden it sounded like something was knocking around in the transmission. Since then it has been very difficult to shift in and out of gears and 3rd gear is not accessible. What would this be and what should I do about fixing it?

 

I HAD one just like that..........up until the time they had to "rebuild" my shoulder due to a bike accident........Mine also had NO power steering........as BASE as a truck can get.....
it's REAL easy to drop the trans........From THAT point, if you have an idea what you're doing you can split the case and inspect.........If'n you're "Joe Average" DIYer........I'd be heading to the boneyard to see what was available there

 

..."all of the sudden it sounded like something was knocking around in the transmission. Since then it has been very difficult to shift in and out of gears and 3rd gear is not accessible. What would this be and what should I do about fixing it?[/QUOTE]"

When this happened to me, it was the sound of my transmission going out...to the tune of $2400. You can still drive it around in second gear, but it will be hard to accelerate quickly and you can't go above 40-50mph without it being bad for your engine. The good news is that it will keep driving like that, and regardless of how much longer you drive it like that, it will still cost the same to fix. It's as ruined as it's gonna be.

My advice is, unless you are and expert DIYer, to shop around for a good, cheap tranny shop.