2G GSX: Clutch Problem or Transmission Problem? Please help!

[jm1080]

Ok im basically new to the manual transmission so I just have some questions, Im not sure if its the tranny or the clutch. By the way I have stcok clutch.

First of all, lets say im in first gear, then I go into 2nd gear, is it supposed to be rough to get into 2nd gear? Like sometimes it takes a sec to get into 2nd and I already lost my rpms, hard to explain. That always happens by the way. And sometimes, most of the time now, when I go to 3rd gear, it gets rough too and it wont clutch into 3rd. I sometimes have to force it a bit because it wont go while Im driving and by the time I finally get it the rpms go down. Is that a tranny problem or clutch problem?

Another thing is when I hear people talk about launches. I never launched before, but decided to try once, I revved it to like 2500rpm, then let go of clutch, and it shakes like crazy. Doesnt seem right.. Then I let go slowly of clutch and the car still shakes. Like if first gear was real sensitive or something?

Is that normal for stock clutch or is it a tranny problem? Sorry for long post.

 

[TALONTRAX]

If I understand correctly, you are describing hard gear engagement. If the clutch does not completele disengage (pedal down all the way), gear changes are rough. This can be due to low fluid in the hydraulic clutch system or a bad clutch master or slave cylinder, either of which could cause fluid loss or lazy/sluggish clutch operation.

Check the fluid, look for leaks, etc.

 

[jm1080]

Hmm I do have a clutch leak and its from the master cylinder, im going to install this week. I have been refilling clutch cartridge or whatever it called. I just didnt think that the harsh engagement or that the shifts would be rough or get stuck sometimes would be part of that problem. Good thing its just that though I thought it was something worse like tranny. Thanks for the help

 

[redyute1]

a weak pressure plate will cause the car to shake or more like tremble at launch or doing a first gear pull off an inclind

 

[jm1080]

Yea thats what my uncle was telling me as well. Time for a new clutch then? When is it that you know when u need a new clutch? Like before the car stops running.

 

[mitch26753]

Is it grinding going into second? If it's grindng then it is probably the typical second gear grind for dsms. If you are having a hard time getting the car in gear in every gear and could be your hydraulic system. Since you said you have a leaking master cylinder i would replace that first and see if it takes care of it. Remember to bleed the system when done though. Now your launch problem you have a awd, they are harder to do a launch then a gst. When a fwd just spends on a launch a awd will not(unless you are making big power). TRy to do a higher launch, like around 4500. THat will give your flywheel enough inertia to get you going. What i think your doing is just bogging down the motor so much you are lucky you aren't just stalling out. Also, i didn't look at your profile but if your running with a stock clutch i wouldn't do many launches cause it will tear your stock drivetrain up in a hurry.

 

[jm1080]

No it never grinds in any gear. Like it is just tough to get it to 2nd gear. I have to put pressure to put the lever down to 2nd, and it takes a couple seconds to finally get it there like 2 sec or so, I can never gear into 2nd fast, it gets a little stuck. And sometimes it gets stuck in 3rd gear real bad, like I cant even get into 3rd sometimes and im in traffic and by the time I finally shove the lever into 3rd my rpms are already down and it gets into 3rd by making that noise when you know you went into gear to early. Hope you guys can understand

And Ive only done a launch once because it is stock clutch. But it didn't seem right, the car just shook like if I let go of clutch way too early, then it would go. Usually when driving I have clutch pedal all the way down then slowly let off pedal when in first until I feel car start to move, and then the car wont shake, but sometimes it does shake when I try to accelerate too fast in 1st and it just feels like the car doesn't run as fast as I thought. Like 1 through 3 gears the car seems slow, and once I get into 4th and 5th the car runs perfect (fast) Don't know if thats how stick is on GSX because I always thought manual was faster than automatic, that is why I sold my automatic.

 

[sd_ff22]

I have the same problem but only in first gear. I recently replaced my clutch line with the RRE stainless line but it is not leaking. Still have the problem. Sucks coming down to a turn and wanting to go into first to leave the corner quick, but having to dog it out in second instead

-Dan

 

[jm1080]

oh damn, yea its sort of like that, like if im going to make a u-turn and I want to go fast. Im in 1st and 1st is slow.... then when it 3000rpm, I try to go to 2nd, but it is tough to get into 2nd that I end up gooing to slow and the rpms drop, then they slowly rise, then go to 3rd gear and sometimes it gets stuck and if it does get stuck rpms go down again... I hate that. I feel like other cars that are auto and are crap cars just beat me at start and I have a gsx

 

[TALONTRAX]

Get the hydraulic issues resolved first before you condemn the hardware parts(pressure plate,etc.)Since you have a known hydraulic problem, it`s difficult to tell it you have any other additional problems also.
Fix the master cylinder correctly, & see how it is afterwards,& get back to us . . .

 

[jm1080]

hmm I see so hydraulic issue is separate from clutch? how do I fix the hydraulic issue? What parts do I need? sorry for the questions, still learning

Ill also keep updating once I install the master cylinder, cause I have to fix that leak issue

 

[meliketoball]

When you change your master cylinder, go for some Pennzoil syncromesh gear oil for your transmission while you're already getting your hands dirty; maybe that'll help with your shifting.

 

[jm1080]

Ok ill try to get some of that gear oil, so when you guys say hydraulic issue, is that considered the master and slave cylinders?

 

[jakeachy]

yes, with those leaking your clutch will be squishy and not fully engage/disengage

 

[swtchbladetalon]

I have the same problem but only in first gear. I recently replaced my clutch line with the RRE stainless line but it is not leaking. Still have the problem. Sucks coming down to a turn and wanting to go into first to leave the corner quick, but having to dog it out in second instead

-Dan

I had the same problem with it popping out of first it is a problem with this gear*(attatched link) and is from what i understand from researching on this site relativly common on 1st gen DSM's



DSM Transmissions

 

[jm1080]

ok guys, my uncle and I did the master cylinder job and we did valve cover gasket job. It finally stopped leaking clutch oil! everything is perfect on the car now, only problem left is the rear driveshaft carrier bearing that needs to be fixed. Its coming in Monday from MachV. Anyways everything on car shifts great now, we might change the tranny fluid once we change the driveshaft carrier bearing.

On another note after we changed the valve cover gasket, we decided to paint valve cover chrome and some other things. I made a thread check it here and tell me what you guys think:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/app...her-things-chrome-tell-me-what-you-think.html

bump! quick question, does anyone know why after I did the master cylinder job, that it real hard to get into gear? My uncle adjusted the pedal feel, but for some reason I have to push the pedal alot further in in order to switch into any gear, and now everytime I go into reverse, it always grinds. Today it seemed It was real tough to get into any gear, I have to really shove it into gear Anyone have a clue?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Try adjusting the clutch rod. Start out by finding the most neutral adjustment point for the rod - when its not really pulling or pushing on the clutch pedal assembly, and go from there. Remember to use small adjustment increments, a little goes a long way.

But speculating from what you've told us, I'd say you could safely try screwing the master cylinder rod OUT (clockwise) a full turn from where it sits. Don't forget to snug up that 12mm nut that sits on the rod.

Just found this in a similar thread. Hope it makes it clear.

 

[jm1080]

wow thanks for that, ill ask my uncle about it so he can fix it.

Also I noticed today when I went to the gym, that it could not get into any gear. I was seriously stuck I feel like I used to much power to force it out of reverse. Then later I noticed that the clutch pedal was about half way stuck the whole time.... I took it out completely with my foot and it finally was able to get into gear! phew was real lucky. So could it of been that when it was adjusted, it probably made the pedal not come all the way up sometimes?

Thanks again.

 

[EclipseTical]

sounds like you haven't fully solved your hydraulic issue.

When you changed out the Master Cylinder did you check the slave cylinder? How is the fluid level in the master cylinder now that you've put on the new one? Still full or has it leaked out again?

If its empty your slave might have crapped out on you.

 

[jm1080]

sounds like you haven't fully solved your hydraulic issue.

When you changed out the Master Cylinder did you check the slave cylinder? How is the fluid level in the master cylinder now that you've put on the new one? Still full or has it leaked out again?

If its empty your slave might have crapped out on you.

well the slave cylinder is supposedly fine, no nothing has leaked on the master cylinder, leaks are gone. But like I stated before, my uncle adjusted the pedal when he put the master cylinder, he is going to readjust it like the old one, because the pedal doesnt come up all the way since he adjusted it, causing the gears to get stuck. Thats what I was thinking.

Well probably check it out when we lift the car up for the driveshaft carrier bearing job we still have to do.