When I am not moving and try to go straight into reverse about 75% of the time it wont work. It doesn't grind it just feels like theres something stopping it from going into reverse. I have had this problem since day 1 and I was guessing that its the synchros, cause if i put it in 1st or 2nd , then reverse it works most of the time. I had trouble going into 1st recently on more than one occasion. I checked and I was low on transmission fluid. I added and this does not seem to have solved the problem but it does seem a little better.
I have an 03' wrx with 80,000 including the first 30,000 which were in Fairbanks, AK where its really really really cold in the winter. Any thoughts on what might be the problem here?
(Please be something not to expensive )

 

I always go into 1st before going into reverse.

 

There are 2 things I can think of off the top of my head that would cause this.

First, I would suspect your synchros. 2nd gear and Reverse both share the same synchro, that is why if you put your car into 2nd gear then into reverse it will work. Sometimes you have to let the car sit in 2nd for like 5-10 seconds before going into reverse if your synchros are really bad.

Secondly, depending on how many miles are on your clutch, if you have problems getting into any other gears or have problems shifting while driving. It could be your Clutch that is ready for replacement.

I actually had this same issue with my car recently and in my case...the issue was a combination of worn synchros and a worn out clutch. (I was on my original factory clutch with about 80K on it.) Although my synchros weren't "that" bad, and could have been reused, I opted to change them out since I had the trans. out anyways, just to eliminate that as a possible issue later on.

 

1st/reverse problems are common. A salesmen at subaru made it seem like it was a problem with the Impreza syncros, but I've heard other people say most 5spd trannys have that problem more or less.

When was the last time you changed your tranny fluid though? You said it was low, did you top it off or change it?

 

if u cant go into reverse, go into 1st and then try again. its common on the 5spd trannies.

 

ummm.... I plead the 5th

/sigh i just topped it off, its never been changed (I know better)
clutch is original and when driving I rarely have trouble shifting. Brakes are original and I inspected them about 10,000 miles ago and they still have plenty of room to wear on the pads still.

Plugs and tires are the only things not original on the car.

 

Try putting some new fluid in there. I use valvoline 75/90 non synthetic shifting is smooth as butter now no more notchy feeling. I'm going to try full motul 300 (tranny and rear diff) I was talking to DS1 and its what they recommend for track use. Andrewtech says Redline LWSP 3 qt and top off with Motul 300 (DS1 is against redline as it starts to clump or something). Both are against the uncle scottys mix.

 

Should I just drain and fill or should I drop the pan and scrap the old stuff out of there. I have never done this to wrx so I don't know what the process is.

Is the rear diff difficult to change fluid on? Or the tranny for that matter?

 

Drain and fill. As for the rear diff remove the bottom bolt let it drain. Then put back in the bottom bolt remove the top bolt fill till it begins to pour out.