Grind in 2nd gear...syncro gone...?

[kergilman]

So the other day I was removing my oil pressure gauge sending unit because it was leaking, accdentially grounded the wrench to the hot terminal on the alt and fried the 120 amp fuse (my problems have problems)...replacing that, I then just wanted to get my car home before taking off last week. Driving off, and out of nowhere, my transmission now grinds in 2nd EVERY time unless I shift into 2nd around 5-8 mph. Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd also grinds, but not every time. The only thing I can think of happening that day was driving in reverse back up my buddies long steep driveway when I noticed my system was not charging to figure out what was wrong (shop is at top of driveway).

Does this sound like the 2nd syncro is gone...? How could it die so suddenly...? Or is it more likely my bad luck shadow following me around...?

 

[pj91gsx]

How many miles on your trans?

 

[kergilman]

108K. I have been the sole owner of it and it saw a pretty strict maintence schedule thru the years...the tranny fluid was last changed about 5k miles ago...

So I'm thinking that since it only happens while shifting into the 2nd gear, the syncro has to be bad. Unless I somehow bent the linkage...but I would think that it would have the grinding issue in more then just 2nd gear...I don't know, I'm guessing...

Can the syncro die that quickly without any warning (ie: grind intermittantly for a month)...? Does anyone have experience with these trannys that would be familiar with the characteristics of failing syncros...?

 

[JusMX141]

Could also be a worn or improperly adjusted clutch.

My FWD had a slight second gear grind when I bought it. It also had about 3" of clutch pedal free play. I adjusted the clutch rod to the proper length, and the second gear grind disappeared until years later when the clutch began to slip and needed replaced.

 

[pj91gsx]

You should change the transmission fluid if you haven't. Hopefully you have transmission fluid in there. Like jusmx says it could be a clutch issue too.

 

[JusMX141]

Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd also grinds, but not every time.

Just re-read your post....if you're getting a downshift grind, it's most likely the clutch for sure.

When I bought my FWD and the clutch was poorly adjusted, I absolutely could NOT get it back into first when rolling and coming to a stop....the car had to be completely stopped. The clutch wasn't fully disengaging the engine from the transmission.

 

[Tim Melton]

Probably a bad syncro but my car did the same thing when the linkages were going bad I would check those.

 

[DGajre777]

What tranny fluid do you use? I used Pennzoil Synchromesh for 2 years and had occasional grinding. I then switched to Redline Lightweight Shift Oil with about 1/2 quart of heavy and my grinding went away.

Edit: Nevermind, I just saw that you have a N/T.