New FRS and the notorious grinding gears

[Frs x3]

Hi so I'm not new here but I am reestablishing myself into a new FRS and this one is manual. My previous FRS was automatic and of course I loved it but wanted to try something different. My first manual transmission vehicle was about 7 years ago and I must say I've proven to be a bit rusty upon driving my new frs.

I've driven about 500 miles and embarrassingly I have already grinded the gears about 6-8 times. I tend to do it from first to second and I really hate it because I'm really trying to avoid the matter. I'm taking precautions as to push the clutch in fully but sometimes that second gear doesn't want to give in.

Any feedback regarding a new transmission and the correct measures to treat it are appreciated. Other than those instances of gear grinding I've become very familiar with the clutch. I can't say I have any issues with the manual other than what I mentioned above.

Thanks in advance

[juanmartin88]

Does this happen when the car is cold? I have a similar problem but mine don't grind its more of a crunch feeling. My car is a 2014 with 3500 miles. I took it in and they told me it's normal. I even drove a 2015 new off the truck and felt the same. Search around. Some guys here are saying that it can be solved by changing the fluid. Give is some time it might be part of the brake in process. Hope this helped.

[Frs x3]

Well its harder to put into second when it's cold but it grinds on any temperature. The crunching sounds like what I'm experiencing but isn't that grinding?

[juanmartin88]

Yeah going into second takes some effort. I also experienced it in the new 2015. I guess it's common. That is also what I was told my the tech. I'm not an expert but it's when you don't have the clutch all the way in and it makes a pitch noice. Almost like a grinder. Gear is not fully in so it pops out. I did that the first day I got it . So there is a difference in what i am experiencing. Also had a hard time explaining it to the tech. He looked at me like I was stupid.

[hmong337]

I don't believe all these threads about gearbox issues are due to mechanical failures on their own. The driver/owner is the second element to a lasting smooth transmission. I bet some people created gearbox problems on their own. Grinding is one of them. Especially a bad misshift! I've know guys that have blown gearboxes from a bad gear change.

There are A LOT of first time manual transmission drivers here too. Or in the OP's case, a long absence from a manual. There will be a handful of people who will damage their transmission from user error no doubt. Believe me.

I don't believe the Aisin to be glass. Guys have pushed this AZ6 on turbo cars without issues. I am skeptical these transmissions are having issues at <230wtq without some sort of user accountibility coming into play. A few (1-2%) definitely may have left the factory with a miscalculated assembly (that's why we have warranty). But it's the majority that are performing flawlessly.

I have always understood executing a proper break-in and mine is an example. Nearly 50,000kms and it's performing better than when it left the floor. Butter smooth courtesy of Motul. Just be very careful when the gearbox is cold and take your time shifting.

From the sound of it, you probably made a synchro eat itself. Sorry for your loss.

[Hydaral]

I think everyone has the difficult 1>2 change on the new car, it took about 3000 km for mine to break in. The change is still a little more difficult when cold, I generally put gentle pressure on the stick until it pops in or double-clutch to persuade it.

Once it's warm though, it's no problem. Higher revs will get it to engage faster.

[sweetfrs]

change your transmission fluid asap from my experience it will become a hell of a lot smoother and stop the synchro grinds

[billyk]

I've got a 2014 bought new last month. Getting from 1st to 2nd in the cold is quite a challenge most days. Once warm, it's good. Still, all of the gears, warmed-up or not, can be a bit notchy/knuckle'y at times.

The only thing that helps (some of the time) when shifting from 1st to 2nd when cold is to not be so eager to get out of 1st. I have a tendency to do this as the car feels "cold" and quick shifts seem proper to do when cold. So, if I stay in 1st a second or two longer by gradually bringing the revs up to 2.5k-3k, it typically will shift right into 2nd very smoothly. I believe it might be the case that this practice allows the syncro to come up to speed - but I'll leave that for the gear-heads here to confirm or not.

Still, sometimes that first couple of cold shifts might be a challenge, regardless if I slow shift or not.

[scirocco78]

I just skip second gear when it's cold

[superleggera]

Originally Posted by scirocco78

I just skip second gear when it's cold

I've been doing that lately as well. I'll probably change the fluid in the spring to see if it improves.

[mike the snake]

2 things.

First, adjust the clutch a little "tighter", so the throwout bearing is pushed in a bit further. This engages the clutch a bit more, and helps with the hard to engage 1st when cold and the 1st to 2nd "nick".

Secondly, change the fluid out to Motul or one of the othe fluids recommended in a number of threads here.

The 1st to 2nd "nick" will go away after a couple thousand miles, or at least it did on mine.

The clutch adjustment made the car MUCH easier to drive, and launch from a stop in first.

[Koa]

+1 on adjusting the clutch pedal

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8040

[Frs x3]

Interesting I'll definitely check it out

[Celadrielas]

+1 for clutch adjustment as well. I came from a 2007 Subie Impreza non-turbo... I've only ever owned manual vehicles and been driving 15 years. This transmission feel knotchy to me and is "Crunchy" on shifts, but after I did the clutch adjustment (Probably 6months ago now) it's been a lot better.

Cold vs warm matters with these and after driving a vehicle with Motul in the trans, I am saving my pennies for the $100 or so to do the fluid change. It was amazingly smooth at every speed. I would also like to point out that I have 22,000 miles on the vehicle and it's still like this from 1st to 2nd.