Anyone feel like they have a clunky gear change?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by RichardsFRS

My 13 does it from time to time. Usually first and second. I wouldn't sweat it, because its a complaint of all manual twins. As Tcoat said, you will feel and hear everything even things you don't want to feel; in this car. Every snap clunk pop tick click clank crunk and crank, because the car is a sports car, and it has no lining under the interior panels, and you will soon find out its a beautiful thing to tuned into your car like that

[tracerit]

I'd follow what @humfrz mentioned, shift at 4k rpms, don't slam the shifter and push the clutch all the way in. I used to shift around 3k rpms and could rarely ever get it smoothly. Oddly enough, when I drive lazily and on the streets, I shift at 2000-2500rpms and can get it smoothly. It's so slow since I have to go easy on the throttle.

[Apex_BRZ]

Yep, any time the weather is below 60F until the car gets to operating temp. I've given up trying to fix it. There is no fix. It's just a garbage gearbox.

I've tried several different kinds of fluid including Amsoil and now using Motul Gear 300. Nothing improves it, and it always feels the same until the car warms up. If it's really cold, it gets bad enough where it won't go into 2nd sometimes or it grinds going in. So, I've got into the habit of skipping 2nd completely.

[Lynxis]

Originally Posted by Apex_BRZ

Yep, any time the weather is below 60F until the car gets to operating temp. I've given up trying to fix it. There is no fix. It's just a garbage gearbox.

I've tried several different kinds of fluid including Amsoil and now using Motul Gear 300. Nothing improves it, and it always feels the same until the car warms up. If it's really cold, it gets bad enough where it won't go into 2nd sometimes or it grinds going in. So, I've got into the habit of skipping 2nd completely.

Yeah this is the only real issue I have with the trans is the 2nd and 3rd gear grinds when it's cold. I feel like it was worse this year than last.

[Packofcrows]

I had this issue on 2012-2014's.

Stalling also felt like a daily issue as well. I think it's a mixture of lubrication and pedal feel. What solved my stalling issue was changing oem intake for TRD. Concerning the clunk or 'chunkiness' sound...kind of softened up with 20k miles.

Most forum members lessened the sound and feel with oil change to transmission, but it did not completely erase it. AKA make shifting buttery smooth.

[shellslinger]

I had this issue before but changing fluids to Motul 300 helped out a lot. I don't get the clunky 1-2 or 2-3 shift anymore even in the morning. I usually shift from 1 to 2 at 3500-4000 rpm and I always get that nice "snick" noise. 3rd goes in smooth when I shift around 3000-4000 rpm.

[86Tony]

best way to not feel the clunk is use a heavier knob like a raceng

[shellslinger]

Originally Posted by 86Tony

best way to not feel the clunk is use a heavier knob like a raceng

Do you know how much heavier it is compared to stock? My brother's aftermarket shift knob for his MY09 WRX (can't recall the brand) was just as heavy as my stock shift knob.

[Regalo]

Originally Posted by shellslinger

Do you know how much heavier it is compared to stock? My brother's aftermarket shift knob for his MY09 WRX (can't recall the brand) was just as heavy as my stock shift knob.

The OEM shift knob is 198g. Raceseng Slammer is 635g and the Ashiko is 735g. I myself have the Ashiko and my shifts are smoother. However, there is still a bit of "clunk" while shifting but I think it's a good thing since it's just feedback letting me know I'm shifting right. The Raceseng shift knobs or any other heavy weight shift knobs for that matter won't make your gear shifts feel like butter but it helps.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Apex_BRZ

Yep, any time the weather is below 60F until the car gets to operating temp. I've given up trying to fix it. There is no fix. It's just a garbage gearbox.

I've tried several different kinds of fluid including Amsoil and now using Motul Gear 300. Nothing improves it, and it always feels the same until the car warms up. If it's really cold, it gets bad enough where it won't go into 2nd sometimes or it grinds going in. So, I've got into the habit of skipping 2nd completely.

Welp, @Apex_BRZ maybe you shouldda gotta an FR-S .....or an AT .......



humfrz

(jest ah messen wich ya .... )

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Apex_BRZ

Yep, any time the weather is below 60F until the car gets to operating temp. I've given up trying to fix it. There is no fix. It's just a garbage gearbox.

I've tried several different kinds of fluid including Amsoil and now using Motul Gear 300. Nothing improves it, and it always feels the same until the car warms up. If it's really cold, it gets bad enough where it won't go into 2nd sometimes or it grinds going in. So, I've got into the habit of skipping 2nd completely.

I always find it odd when I read about this problem. Coldest day of the year or the middle of summer mine has always shifted exactly the same. I have never once experienced any resistance going into second or any other gear. Not once, ever, under any conditions (I have no incentive to make this up or lie).
I am now a little over 50K miles and still have the original oil in the tranny and quite frankly I am a bit nervous about changing it and ruining my issue free run.

[radroach]

My shifts got better with the right maintenance and the proper shifting behavior. Replacing the fluid (motul 300) and the original throw out bearing, which was shot, fixed most of the issues.

Sometimes yeah the gearbox does not feel crisp, mine is pretty worn in and has some play though so that's probably just my problem. But I am still always confident that I'll go in gear on a quick upshift or downshift and I don't have a grind issue, except for 5th sometimes but that just might be me accidentally engaging the clutch too early.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

Check out all the threads where people have discussed trying to make the trans shifting feel better just type what you want to look up in google then "ft86club.com" after it. For example; "improving shifter feel ft86club.com" or "notchy shifter ft86club.com"

Sorry to be a pedant but that should read "site:ft86club.com"
so
improving shifter feel site:ft86club.com
notchy shifter site:ft86club.com
etc

[Uplink]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

OK over to all those self proclaimed experts that have "drove MT for a full two years now" are going to explain to me why I am wrong.

My buddy just learned me how to drive MT through e-mail at lunch and here's why you're wrong...

OP-
Seriously though, the positive engagement feel you get with this car is worth the price of admission. I've got a ZF that shifts the same way and it's so satisfying.

If you have plans to go with one of the aftermarket single piece drive shafts, the clunk will become more pronounced.

The only issue I've ever had *knocks wood*, and it's probably been stated a thousand times before as 'normal', is the 1-2 shift on cold days before the transmission is fully warmed up (driven warmed up, not idle warmed up). It's annoying with regular fluid and downright unbearable with Motul. Most of this winter standard operating procedure was 1-3-4 exclusively until about 3-4 driven miles when 2nd gear 'unlocks'. Prior to that, any attempt at second gear with any forward movement of the car and it will act like a locked gate.

You will also notice a little more gear rattle using Motul with the car idling if you listen carefully. In a garage it's very obvious and goes away when you press the clutch pedal.