Any time you have to use excessive muscle to push the lever into gear, you're causing excessive wear on the synchro. If that's not happenning, then you're not.

The synchro is like a little clutch inside the tranny. If the engine is running, and you try to shift into gear without pressing down the clutch pedal, the synchro will block the movement of the gearshift lever (and wear out the synchro). But say you press the pedal down partway, not far enough, but not completely engaged either. That would cause the synchros to behave like you describe. And THAT would cause excessive wear on the synchros.

Your first post about excessive notchiness sounds to me like your clutch is dragging. I asked about how it feels shifting with the engine turned off????

You can also check in a flat driveway or parking lot. First gear, press the clutch pedal to the floor, engine running. Let off the BRAKE pedal & see whether the car wants to move (similar to an auto tranny, but weaker).

 

It won't move while in gear like you describe.

Sorry I forgot to mention how the shifter acts when not running. The shift action is smooth when the thing isn't running.

I plan to get the clutch changed out, though...so don't worry there. 220k miles is a lot to have on a throwout and disc, even if the disc still seems to have meat on it.

My new axles and stuff come tommorrow. My work schedule and the fact that I don't have access to a garage stall for more than a few hours at a crack doesn't permit me to do the job myself, so a shop up the road is going to do the clutch and axles.

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'll be reporting back here after the clutch/plate/throwout and axles are in.