Grinding when putting in 1st gear at stop light (when not moving).
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Grinding when putting in 1st gear at stop light (when not moving).
Two months ago I changed my Tranny oil to AMSoil (fully synthetic). A few guys around here use it and it is recommended by my local speed shop. The tranny was shifting great until last week. Now sometimes when I am sitting at a stop light in neutral with the clutch disengaged and go to put it in 1st gear I get a loud grinding sound and my hand shakes like crazy. When this happens the clutch pedal is all the way on the floor and I am not moving at all. It seems that now that the weather is warming up a little, it is happening more. My 02 WRX has 42/k miles on it and I rarely drive it hard.
I have read a few similar posts about this problem but none are exactly like the problem I have.
I am thinking about going back to a non-synthetic tranny oil and seeing what happens. Does anyone have this problem? Any advice on this?
Thanks for the space.
I have read a few similar posts about this problem but none are exactly like the problem I have.
I am thinking about going back to a non-synthetic tranny oil and seeing what happens. Does anyone have this problem? Any advice on this?
Thanks for the space.
VIP Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,348
From: Trying to figure out something creative to put her
Car Info: 2005 CGM WRX Wagon
I had this problem, took it back to Subaru, and they said that my first gear was "chipped." The grinding only happened occassionally...
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Mine does it too, although not every time. The guy I bought the car from said he put Redline in it and I have no reason to doubt that. Not sure it would be caused by synthetics tho...seems if the weight is the same, whether it's synthetic or not, it should act the same.
Best way to keep it from doing this is to put it into second before putting it into first. It's probably a syncro issue of some sort, but I'm not too smart on trannys as a whole. But putting it into second takes like a second and I now do it without even thinking. No biggie...
Derck
Best way to keep it from doing this is to put it into second before putting it into first. It's probably a syncro issue of some sort, but I'm not too smart on trannys as a whole. But putting it into second takes like a second and I now do it without even thinking. No biggie...
Derck
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 514
From: Boston
Car Info: 2002 Alpine White WRX
Eventhough synthetic is the same in weight that doesn't mean anything. Synthetic's friction properties are different, it's slicker and because of that your synchros may not be working like they should be.
yup, your synchros are probably the problem. keep doing it and your 1st will be stripped. try holding clutch down for awhile longer before you shift into gear...it'll allow the synchros to do their job.
a new 1st gear as well as synchros might be in your near future. this is PRECISELY the reason why i will never buy a used WRX -- you don't know how the previous owner treated the car or what he did in terms of modding/servicing.
a new 1st gear as well as synchros might be in your near future. this is PRECISELY the reason why i will never buy a used WRX -- you don't know how the previous owner treated the car or what he did in terms of modding/servicing.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,402
From: Bay Area
Car Info: 02 WRX wagon=dead; rollin' in a Craptastic Camry!
Mine does it too, only when hot. If I go into first slowly or if I put it in first at a slow roll (essentially rev matched at idle) I do not have this problem.
Dealer said they cannot replicate the problem. If it doesn't get fixed I will likely not consider a Subaru again, which is too bad because I really like this car.
Dealer said they cannot replicate the problem. If it doesn't get fixed I will likely not consider a Subaru again, which is too bad because I really like this car.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 31
From: Portland OR
I have this same problem also when the tranny is good and warm from driving at highway speeds. My thinking is that it's an issue with the fluid. When it's really warmed up it's at it's higher viscosity rating and essentially too heavy for the first gear syncro. I've got to keep reminding myself not to shift into first too quickly. I'll probably start trying different fluids like many others have done to alleviate the problem.
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Things to check are oil, pilot bearing, hydraulics for clutch, and synchros.
Go back to OEM oil first. Then check and bleed clutch master and slave cylinders. last pull trans and inspect pilot bearing and input shaft and if ok tear the trans appart and check synchro.
hope this helps
Reece
Go back to OEM oil first. Then check and bleed clutch master and slave cylinders. last pull trans and inspect pilot bearing and input shaft and if ok tear the trans appart and check synchro.
hope this helps
Reece
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I have the same problem, but now that I'm aware of it, it rarely happens. It only happens when I shift in to first quickly. I just don't do that anymore. The only time the gear grinds now is when a stop light turns green and I'm not expecting it. I shift quickly without thinking about it and immediately remember why I don't do that anymore.
I bought my car used with about 24k miles on it. I have about 37k on it now. I don't abuse my transmission, but who knows what the person who owned it before me did to it. The grinding has happened since I got the car, but possibly got worse when I switched to synthetic gear oil. It's my first MT car and I thought it was just me at first...but I know better now. I'll probably take it to the dealer soon and see if they feel like fixing it. Hope I go on a good day.
I bought my car used with about 24k miles on it. I have about 37k on it now. I don't abuse my transmission, but who knows what the person who owned it before me did to it. The grinding has happened since I got the car, but possibly got worse when I switched to synthetic gear oil. It's my first MT car and I thought it was just me at first...but I know better now. I'll probably take it to the dealer soon and see if they feel like fixing it. Hope I go on a good day.