Obsession_92-94

...is the problem. When shifting into second gear (whether up-shifting or down-shifting) it does not engage at times and results in grinding gears. Although it does not happen all the time, when it does, I have to pull real hard in order for it to work. It happens when I am releasing the clutch pedal have already moved the shifter into second gear. My question is, is it the shifter or the tranny?

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

well the shifter doesn't have too much of a decision as to how individual gears engage... it just twists, pushes, and pulls the striking rod. how's your clutch hydraulics? sometimes bad hydraulics will make one gear (the one with the most worn-out synchro components) act up more than the rest.

Obsession_92-94

The clutch slave cylinder was replaced about five years ago, do you suppose that it could be causing the problem? The transmission does have 187k on it, the sync might be on its last leg. I can't really pin point it as I have not disassembled anything as of yet.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

how about the master cylinder?

Hectic

iTrader: (20)

Slower...slower....slowerrrrr!

Obsession_92-94

Not sure about the master cylinder. For all I know, it could be the original. That could be a possibility.

Hectic; I have been shifting like a granny if that is what you are saying. The shifter is comfortably in position before I let off the clutch. When I am letting off, it still makes the nice grinding noise.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

if it's comfortably in place the you may need a new tranny then. how often does it shift into 2nd flawlessly vs the grinding?

Obsession_92-94

I could not tell you exactly. It sort of does it whenever it feels like it. I did notice something today that it would pop out of gear when I did not hold the shifter. Could this be a bad sync? If so, can you recommend anywhere that I might be able to pick up another tranny or get a rebuild?

Obsession_92-94

So here we are a good month now (after much frustration and work), I got a used tranny installed from a 92 SE with 50,000 (or so the junkyard says). I am having the same problem with the second gear. Is the tranny flawed or is it the shifter?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

Check your shifter bushings inside the center console... sounds like the rubber bushing that holds the shifter in place may be dead and the shifter is in the wrong spot.

Hectic

iTrader: (20)

I just thought the thread title was a spin off of this: http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=WqKi_9p1zks

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

have you checked your motor and transmission mounts?

Obsession_92-94

I have not checked the motor and transmission mounts. I forgot to add this bit of information though. When I got done with the installation, I did not have this grinding problem and everything felt really good (even did some clutch work). Now the clutch pedal seems to be going back to the way it was which meant that the clutch would engage half-way on letting off the pedal. The shifting even felt solid as well. Now, it feels rather mushy going into second and sometimes it bounces me out of fourth. Is there a possibility that there could be a leak somewhere or maybe the master or slave cylinder is heading south?

sleepyvg30e

iTrader: (1)

exedy's got master and slave for 20 bucks couldnt hurt to try

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

remember tho to bleed the junction (where the loop thing is) before bleeding the slave itself. it might be you just have air in the system.

vernk

bleed the line for sure, how does you IPS baring sound?

how long has it been since you changed gear lube?

Obsession_92-94

I figured that the master and slave could be problematic as it seems as though I have a leak somewhere. I checked the clutch level last night and found that I was just about empty. I topped it off, it felt a little better, but it did not solve the problem. It seems as though the linkage, when going into 2nd, 4th and reverse, does not move back far enough to engage. I tried shifting into 2nd, let go of the stick and let off the clutch, and it popped out of gear (no grinding that time).

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

unscrew the shift ****, pull up the shifter boot (overhand-grab the bottom part of the boot's plastic ring and pull up on that to pop it out), and then remove the secondary rubber boot. then tell us if that rubber crossbar appears torn or moves a lot when you are shifting

vernk

how did the fluid look that was in there? it might be a good idea to flush the system out.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

read posts 10 and 18 again.

vernk

doesn't mean he shouldn't change fluid if it's old and starting to turn dark, it will help keep the rubber parts in better shape and prevent from having to change more parts in the long run.

and while hes checking bushings he should also check the support bracket under the car

Obsession_92-94

The shifter looks good from what I could see. Nothing seemed loose or worn out. I have a strange feeling that it might be something internal.

CapedCadaver

iTrader: (8)

so in post 9 do you mean you are using another tranny now and just by coincidence it still does it?

MorpheusZero

iTrader: (10)

First gear... it's alright
Second gear... I lean right
Third gear... hang on tight..

Obsession_92-94

I am using another transmission that seems to be replicating the same symptoms that I was having with the original one. I am wondering now whether or not it has something to do with the fluid...

Obsession_92-94

I replaced the fluid with Synchromesh, that didn't solve the problem. Neither did bleeding the clutch. As of now, I have had two folks say that it is something internal. I did notice tonight that the shifter moves a little to the left when going into first and when I bring it back to go into second, it feels like it is only going halfway and moving slightly to the right (like a 1/4 of an inch but it is noticeable). Fourth gear doesn't go all the way in either. Fifth gear is starting to grind as well, but it will still go in with some persuasion.

Saying what I mentioned in another post, is it a requirement to remove the tie rods to remove the axles from the hubs? Under approximately 1000 miles later, my tie rods are loose. Having had this work done at a shop, this is a liability.