Clutch issue?: Sometimes I can't shift into gear from a stop.
 

I put an aftermarket clutch in last year, and after about 3,000+ miles all of a sudden I started having problems shifting into gear from a stop.

-Changed transmission fluid 15k miles ago.
-It happens more often when I first start the car, gets better the longer I drive it.
-When it happens I can't get into R/1/2, and its difficult to get into the other gears.
-Sometimes it's also hard to get it out of gear when I stop but not as often.
-My master clutch cylinder fluid was very brown and hasn't been changed for like 60k miles at least, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Has anyone dealt with a similar issue? I don't think my clutch/flywheel would start having issues after being fine for over 3,000 miles so I'm thinking it could be linkage, master cylinder, or something I'm not thinking of! Really weird to me since sometimes it is completely fine, other times the only way I can get it in gear is to go into 3rd and get it moving till I can pop it into 1st. Also weird that one day it just started having this problem out of nowhere (wasn't abusing it or shifting hard). When I get moving there are no issues whatsoever, also when the engine is off I can go into any gear fine. I appreciate any suggestions!

I think its a deflection issue, especially with older driveline mounts. Changing the mounts or upgrading them helps significantly, using specific kits like the "positive shift kit". It won't entirely fix the problem but it helps.

Another reason you can't get into 1st or reverse easily is because the factory subaru shift stop gets torn up and makes it hard to push the shifter rod into reverse, 1st, 3rd, and 5th. Another reason to get the positive shift kit, since it replaces the shift stop with a quality piece.


And a driving tip, if you can't get into reverse, try shift into 1st gear, then get into R; If I can't get into 1st, then get into 2nd then shift to 1st.

Clutch fluid needs to be changed every 30k right? I'd start there.

Was the clutch pedal lowered/adjusted? If so it may have been lowered too much and not disengaging all the way.

@radroach

Thanks, I'll look into the positive shift kit, also gonna try and clean the master clutch cylinder. Part of me thinks that maybe if the bushings are old and shot that sometimes the transmission could be askew and the linkage could be not lining up or something, cuz I swear if I am on flat ground it isn't a problem but if I park and a slight hill I will be locked out of R/1/2...

To clarify though, it is not that its difficult to shift into gear, I literally cannot shift into reverse, 1st, or 2nd; so getting to third is sometimes the only way to get the car the move and then get it into any other gear. I appreciate the response, hopefully by the end of the day I get some progress in diagnosing exactly whats going on.

No haven't touched it, but the clutch not disengaging all the way is what it seems like is happening kinda, I might try adjusting the clutch pedal to disengage more? if thats a thing idk haven't messed with the clutch pedal yet. Already checked the linkage and shifter lockout plate the other day and didn't notice anything off.

Yea I'm dumb and never considered checking it even though I've done most other maintenance pretty well. If all it is is a damaged master clutch cylinder that isn't disengaging the clutch all the way sometimes then that'll be an easy fix. Just covering all my bases before I take out my transmission and check the clutch and everything.

I don't think so. I'm at 130k miles and my master cylinder fluid is still stock. I've asked the dealership (and other shops) to change it before and they said I didn't need it.

@J52


how many miles are on the car? 2013-2015 cars had problems with clutch TOB wear. Mine gave me lots of problems shifting until I finally fixed it. The new factory TOB (new P/N) is much better, lasts longer.

@radroach

88k I got a new TOB with the aftermarket clutch (Competition Clutch Stage 3) but I bought the Whiteline Positive Shift bushing and the Perrin Shifter Bushing and installed them today. I went on a drive, putting it into 1st and Reverse from a stop about 20-25 times and I couldn't replicate the issue I was having so for now I think it solved my issue so thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I'll update this if the issue comes back in the future. Besides those new bushings I also adjusted the rod on the clutch pedal so that might've been part of it to, also flushing the master clutch cylinder, so hard to tell what one thing fixed it, but thank you!

@radroach

If after a week of driving I have no issues still I will update the post title to [SOLVED] but I'm new to having a profile on this forum and don't know how to do that lol

OK nevermind the issue came back randomly. It was fine for a good 3 days straight, tested it at every stop to make sure it was solved and it was going into any gear just fine. Now every time I drive I get the issue again, which makes it even weirder

What brand clutch did you install?

Does this happen when the trans oil is warmed up, or still cold?
If you have checked all the above boxes, the only rhing left, I'm afraid, are your synchronizers! Have you owned the car for the entirety of its life, or did you buy used?