Grinding in second gear
 

So I've read quite a few forum posts about grinding transmissions in different gears so this seems to be a common problem. So common in fact that it has happened to my car twice. I just recently bought my frs used and the previous owner has documentation of the transmission being replaced to to grinding in second and fifth gear. Now the grinding is back but only in second gear no matter if I have the clutch pedal matted. I'm not sure if I should just replace the mtf to make sure there are no shavings or take it back to the dealer to get the transmission looked at again.

Any opinions?

Hi ya, McG86 and .... welcome to ..... The Forum ....... :clap:

Here is my off the shelf advise.


Remember, a warmer transmission is a happier transmission.

I would suggest that when shifting, wind up the last gear pretty tight (4-5,000 rpms) before shifting into the next higher gear.

Also, when shifting, pull (or push) the shift lever slowly and firmly into the next gear.

It's not a toggle switch ..... the lever is moving heavy transmission parts.

Check the clutch/brake fluid reservoir to make sure it's full.

If this technique doesn't help, you may consider changing the transmission oil.


humfrz

But What about down shifting from 6th to 5th Grinding :D :D :D

:popcorn:

Also get rid of the factory oil in the rear diff and trans. I swapped mine for motul last summer and its worlds better. It does not like to shift down to 1st from a roll when cold with the motul though but once it warms up it is fine.

I saw that you posted this in another thread and the higher rpm shifting is definitely something I will try more often and see if that works but I have done everything else that you listed other than the transmission fluid change so think that's what I mind as well do seeing as a lot of others find that the oem stuff isn't that great. Thanks for the input!

I've found that if my car is rolling ...... it will pull up from 2nd gear just fine ...... (if you're not in a big hurry ... ;)).


humfrz

You might try pushing in on the clutch before you try to shift ...... :D


humfrz

Grinding in second gear
 

I had 2nd and 5th grind when I got the car too, sometimes I couldn't even shift into 2nd in the morning. If you look into other Subaru forums some STI have this problem too. Since our shift linkage is very similar to STI, it is not a surprise that we have similar issue.

For me all I did was change the fluid to motul & the grind pretty much disappears. Thou it's coming back slowly after 20k mile... So I'm probably gonna change the fluid again.


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My car has less than 1K on the odometer, and Im having troubles getting into 2nd and 3rd in the AM when its cold, no grinding though. What mileage do you have? The dealer told me that my trans just needs to be broken in, but I dont believe that for a minute.

I normally find myself skipping 2nd gear all together when the trans is cold, I'll shift from 1st to 3rd, try it out.

My only problem with that is that when its cold, Im having issues with 3rd, but my guess would be that it should go smoother from 1-3 vs 2-3. Ill give it a try on my way home, its pretty chilly here today.

Also transmissions will always be rough when they are not up to operating temperature. E46 M3's are notoriously known for their transmissions to be extremely finicky especially when cold. Our cars as well.

This is exactly the experience that I had, and I'm about to change my fluid again. The Motul wiped the grinding completely away for about 25,000 miles. Change your transmission fluid to something high quality.

Did you get any loud whinning noises after switching to Motul?