Hard shifting into first gear; normal? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

blalor · 06-04-2012, 03:39 PM

I've got about 80 miles on my manual-trans BRZ. I'm having a hard time getting it into first gear, and 2nd seems more difficult than it should be. 3rd and 4th feel fairly normal. From a stop light with the trans in neutral, I'll put the clutch all the way in, then move the shifter into first. Most of the time the shifter doesn't want to move forward. When it doesn't want to go in, I can hear a faint whine from the transmission when I apply pressure to the shifter.

This is definitely not normal in most circumstances; is it common for a new car to need a little time before the transmission loosens up?

DantKR · 06-04-2012, 03:42 PM

Sounds like you might need to get it looked at.

blalor · 06-04-2012, 03:43 PM

Tainen · 06-04-2012, 03:57 PM

thats the 1st gear synchro whining at you, trying to match the speed of the engine with the speed of the tranny.

Try this as a test:

in neutral, let out the clutch, push the clutch back in, and then shift into 1st. That first clutch engagement in nuetral will match the speeds, so the shift into 1st will be nice and easy.

If that works, then it's definitely the 1st gear synchro having trouble spinning up- if it's really bad, definitely get it looked at.

Starscream15 · 06-04-2012, 04:13 PM

I have an issue similar to this as well though I'm not going to do anything about it unless it gets worse. When I let out the clutch, push it back in and go into first, most of the time I can hear the Synchro come to a slamming halt. It equates to a clunk.

It's a little discerning.

Lowellrenzo · 06-04-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blalor

I've got about 80 miles on my manual-trans BRZ. I'm having a hard time getting it into first gear, and 2nd seems more difficult than it should be. 3rd and 4th feel fairly normal. From a stop light with the trans in neutral, I'll put the clutch all the way in, then move the shifter into first. Most of the time the shifter doesn't want to move forward. When it doesn't want to go in, I can hear a faint whine from the transmission when I apply pressure to the shifter.

This is definitely not normal in most circumstances; is it common for a new car to need a little time before the transmission loosens up?

The same problem but with second gear

86'd · 06-04-2012, 04:25 PM

All S2000's (assuming the same transmission parts) make a clunk in first gear as well. If you hold off about 2-3 seconds then put it in first gear the clunk won't happen.

I'd say it's normal, just slow the motion a bit.

But the car is under warranty, don't hesitate to take it in.

http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/6141...two-questions/

Read posts #11 and #17.

MmmHamSandwich · 06-04-2012, 04:30 PM

In my experience transmission issues never "fix themselves". If you have a problem now it will only stay the same or get worse until it is fixed.

If I suspect issues with the transmission on the car I preordered then it's so long BRZ. I already know what having a mediocre tranny in a high revving low torque car is like and I won't have it again.

Spaceywilly · 06-04-2012, 04:33 PM

With the clutch still out and the shifter in neutral, blip the throttle, then push the clutch in and it should go into first easily. If everything is stopped (you've been sitting at a light for a while) you will be pushing on the synchros, which are trying to spin the gears to line them up. That's why it takes a lot of effort. If you get the input shaft moving it will do all the work for you.

JP · 06-04-2012, 04:43 PM

Sounds more like a clutch adjustment issue to me.

MmmHamSandwich · 06-04-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP

Sounds more like a clutch adjustment issue to me.

This shouldn't be ignored. The old Si's had bad clutch master cylinders that would manifest as 2nd gear shifting problems.

blalor · 06-04-2012, 05:23 PM

I was at the dealership when I posted this and the service manager went for a quick ride with me. Of course, first engaged perfectly every time. He said (a) there's no synchro for first gear and (b) to give it a little time for the gears to get acquainted. Driving home it felt fine. If it continues to be a problem, I'll hound them about it.

Move along, folks. Nothing to see here.

yuli8466 · 06-05-2012, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blalor

I've got about 80 miles on my manual-trans BRZ. I'm having a hard time getting it into first gear, and 2nd seems more difficult than it should be. 3rd and 4th feel fairly normal. From a stop light with the trans in neutral, I'll put the clutch all the way in, then move the shifter into first. Most of the time the shifter doesn't want to move forward. When it doesn't want to go in, I can hear a faint whine from the transmission when I apply pressure to the shifter.

This is definitely not normal in most circumstances; is it common for a new car to need a little time before the transmission loosens up?

Looks like another MT BRZ user. 1st Gear issue.

is this MT gearbox used in any other car? Silvia S15?

Cheddar · 06-05-2012, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starscream15

I have an issue similar to this as well though I'm not going to do anything about it unless it gets worse. When I let out the clutch, push it back in and go into first, most of the time I can hear the Synchro come to a slamming halt. It equates to a clunk.

It's a little discerning.

I have this issue also.

06-04-2012, 03:57 PM	#4
Tainen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: First SWP BRZ-L Location: Washington Posts: 809 Thanks: 154 Thanked 350 Times in 174 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	thats the 1st gear synchro whining at you, trying to match the speed of the engine with the speed of the tranny. Try this as a test: in neutral, let out the clutch, push the clutch back in, and then shift into 1st. That first clutch engagement in nuetral will match the speeds, so the shift into 1st will be nice and easy. If that works, then it's definitely the 1st gear synchro having trouble spinning up- if it's really bad, definitely get it looked at. __________________ First white BRZ in the country Limited SWP BRZ, 35% tint, clear bra, Nameless Performance downpipe, axelback, headers

06-04-2012, 04:33 PM	#9
Spaceywilly ZC6A2B82KC7J Join Date: May 2011 Drives: 2002 WRX Location: Providence, RI Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 361 Thanked 727 Times in 236 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	With the clutch still out and the shifter in neutral, blip the throttle, then push the clutch in and it should go into first easily. If everything is stopped (you've been sitting at a light for a while) you will be pushing on the synchros, which are trying to spin the gears to line them up. That's why it takes a lot of effort. If you get the input shaft moving it will do all the work for you. __________________ Straights are for fast cars. Turns are for fast drivers.

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06-04-2012, 03:42 PM	#2
DantKR Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Drives: Subaru BRZ LT Location: NC Posts: 759 Thanks: 7 Thanked 124 Times in 71 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sounds like you might need to get it looked at.

06-04-2012, 04:25 PM	#7
86'd Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: 2012 WRX Sedan Location: Los Angeles Posts: 511 Thanks: 25 Thanked 97 Times in 55 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	All S2000's (assuming the same transmission parts) make a clunk in first gear as well. If you hold off about 2-3 seconds then put it in first gear the clunk won't happen. I'd say it's normal, just slow the motion a bit. But the car is under warranty, don't hesitate to take it in. http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/6141...two-questions/ Read posts #11 and #17.

06-04-2012, 04:30 PM	#8
MmmHamSandwich You know you want it. Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 705 Thanks: 160 Thanked 327 Times in 154 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	In my experience transmission issues never "fix themselves". If you have a problem now it will only stay the same or get worse until it is fixed. If I suspect issues with the transmission on the car I preordered then it's so long BRZ. I already know what having a mediocre tranny in a high revving low torque car is like and I won't have it again.

06-04-2012, 04:43 PM	#10
JP Backyard Fabricator Join Date: May 2012 Drives: JZX83, SF5 GT, ZZE82 turbo Location: Australia Posts: 303 Thanks: 47 Thanked 166 Times in 83 Posts Mentioned: 40 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sounds more like a clutch adjustment issue to me.

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