Hard shifting into first gear; normal?

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by dhuang

I have similar issues, but with my ACT clutch kit (installed to address a failing TOB as well).
After following the proper break-in procedure, it started showing symptoms around 5k on the new clutch.

Symptoms include:

• Sometimes can't get into 1st gear (or any gear) from a dead stop.
  Have to either force it in, or hold down the clutch pedal for 5+ seconds and it goes in w/o issue.
• Once I'm able to select a gear, I can go back to neutral and select any gear without resistance, so long as I keep the clutch pedal depressed.
• Has no problem changing gear once the car is moving.
• Doesn't exhibit this issue if the car is cold.
  Happens most often if I've been driving for a while, and if the ambient temperature is above 85F.

Let us know what you find!

I have the exact same issue. I had a Bully clutch with the same issue and changed it to the ACT with lightweight flywheel since it also comes with a pilot bearing and release bearing (throwout bearing as you call it). The ACT was working wonderfully until break in was done and took it to the track.

I do not know what is causing this issue but it is, exactly the same as you describe. Im thinking it has nothing to do with the clutch, but at the same time, I dont remember the car doing it on the stock clutch.

Things I have tried that did not work:

Changed the fork and pivot (Velox) thinking it might be bent (it wasnt).
Regular fluid replacements, tried Motul and Redline, neither did anything.
Replaced clutch and flywheel (Bully to ACT)
Changed clutch line for a braided SS one.
Bled clutch and changed fluid.

Absolutely nothing on this list did jack shit to fix it. If I ever get it fixed, I will post back here, please do the same if you do find a solution.

[churchx]

Icecreamtruk: last point i'd try would be put stock clutch back . But then it might be not clutch issue at all, maybe gearbox playing up things?

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by churchx

Icecreamtruk: last point i'd try would be put stock clutch back . But then it might be not clutch issue at all, maybe gearbox playing up things?

Im pretty convinced its not a clutch issue and probably either synchros or gates screwing up with heat. I track the car pretty hard, and after every track day it gets a little bit worse. I dont want to rule anything out, but I think the odds of it being the clutch itself are low. Also, after trying a lightweight flywheel, im not going back

[dhuang]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

Im pretty convinced its not a clutch issue and probably either synchros or gates screwing up with heat. I track the car pretty hard, and after every track day it gets a little bit worse. I dont want to rule anything out, but I think the odds of it being the clutch itself are low. Also, after trying a lightweight flywheel, im not going back

Same here. Really enjoying the lightweight flywheel. Makes a NA car really come alive.

So far I've bled the clutch system and replaced the slave cylinder. No difference.

Also using a Velox fork.

[x808drifter]

MY bone stock clutch/trans does something similar.
A quick blip of the throttle before pushing it into 1st seems to make it go right in.
(clutch disengaged^^^)

[Scion_Swine]

Originally Posted by dhuang

Let us know what you find!

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

going to replace the clutch and break fluid this Friday. lets see what happens.

UPDATES:
Replaced Fluids and had a track day. Nothing changed, still making the noise and I can feel it through the pedal. took it to dealership and they drove it around with me, pointed out the noise, and they said its probably just nothing.
*sigh* guess I'll drive until my clutch starts slipping because of excessive wear, hopefully this happens within a year so I can get it replaced under the clutch warranty.

Going to another track day on Thursday, hopefully it holds up!

[DandoX]

Mine started doing the same. I just blip the throttle a tad and then clutch in and then it slides into first like butter.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

UPDATES:
Replaced Fluids and had a track day. Nothing changed, still making the noise and I can feel it through the pedal. took it to dealership and they drove it around with me, pointed out the noise, and they said its probably just nothing.
*sigh* guess I'll drive until my clutch starts slipping because of excessive wear, hopefully this happens within a year so I can get it replaced under the clutch warranty.

Going to another track day on Thursday, hopefully it holds up!

I call bullshit on the service people. If you can feel anything in your clutch pedal that goes away when the engine is not running then it's either the TOB or the pressure plate.

My money's on a manufacturing defect in the pressure plate. Make those assholes fix it.

[Doji Style]

My car did this with 6th gear. Subaru ended up replacing the entire transmission after numerous attempts to resolve the issue. It came from the factory like this had the transmission replaced at 14k miles.

[Scion_Swine]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I call bullshit on the service people. If you can feel anything in your clutch pedal that goes away when the engine is not running then it's either the TOB or the pressure plate.

My money's on a manufacturing defect in the pressure plate. Make those assholes fix it.

How do I get them to do that?!
They will still charge me labor because I fixed it at another dealership. On top of the fact that the warranty on the new clutch "only covers slipping" as the guy tells me.
And to be honest I think my throw out bearing exploding is a symptom of something different but I just don't know what it could be.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

How do I get them to do that?!
They will still charge me labor because I fixed it at another dealership. On top of the fact that the warranty on the new clutch "only covers slipping" as the guy tells me.
And to be honest I think my throw out bearing exploding is a symptom of something different but I just don't know what it could be.

TOB failed on its own.

Only covers slipping? Ha! What about improper installation? Dragging? Chatter? Either it works properly or it's a warranty issue. Maybe I missed something. Why didn't you go back to the dealership that did the work?

I'll guess their tune would change as soon as you mention lawsuit.

[Scion_Swine]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

TOB failed on its own.

Only covers slipping? Ha! What about improper installation? Dragging? Chatter? Either it works properly or it's a warranty issue. Maybe I missed something. Why didn't you go back to the dealership that did the work?

I'll guess their tune would change as soon as you mention lawsuit.

I live in Miami and due to some shit turn of events I was forced to drive to Orlando and when I get off the highway my TOB explodes and since I was pressed for time to repair my transmission I was forced to go to a dealership. I've been thinking of taking a road trip back up just to show them what is going on especially since 60 bucks worth of gas is a hell of a lot cheaper than 1 grand for labor. Maybe the dealership in Orlando is willing to repair it. If not I'm going to have to be a pain in the ass to them, God I've always hated mechanics. 😠

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Scion_Swine

I live in Miami and due to some shit turn of events I was forced to drive to Orlando and when I get off the highway my TOB explodes and since I was pressed for time to repair my transmission I was forced to go to a dealership. I've been thinking of taking a road trip back up just to show them what is going on especially since 60 bucks worth of gas is a hell of a lot cheaper than 1 grand for labor. Maybe the dealership in Orlando is willing to repair it. If not I'm going to have to be a pain in the ass to them, God I've always hated mechanics. 😠

Well, that's a tough bind. How did it play out right after the work was done? Did you notice the shudder in the pedal right away but not have time to deal with it?

Maybe try calling the service department of the outfit that did the work. Try the more diplomatic approach with them first.