gringing going into first

[eclipsemustang]

lately about every 5th time i put my car into 1st gear it stars to grind it feels like everything is spinning still and the clutch isnt engaging right, would this be a clutch problem? or a problem with the synchros? i hope nothing serious is wrong the clutch and transmission only have 10,000 miles on them. but any ideas on what the problem could be? thanks in advance

 

[beating4g63s]

more then likely it's the syncros in first gear just add some syncromesh in it and it should take care of the problem if not then change the syncros or get used to it

 

[blackGSX2g]

I would also check to see that your clutch is engaging in the correct position. When I installed my new clutch/tranny, I needed to adjust the clutch pedal throw (the brass C-Clamp on the back of the clutch pedal). Make sure that your engagement point is at least half way up on the clutch throw.

 

[maddmaxx]

It sound like your syncros are going in first gear. I had the same problem with my 4th gear, and I put some Redline MTL Syncromesh in mixed with Redline tranny fluid, and it fixed the problem. You could also try GM syncromesh as well.

 

[blackGSX2g]

I thought the GM Synchromesh alone was a bit too thin for my liking. I run a 50/50 Synchromesh and regular gear oil mix and it seems to work for me.

 

[Mr Peepers]

While at a stop in neutral, if you press the clutch in and shift immediately to first does it grind?

What about if you hold the clutch pedal down for a couple seconds before trying to shift into first gear, will it still grind?

If it doesn't grind after waiting a couple seconds with the clutch in, then it's likely only synchro/tranny related. If it doesn't matter how long you wait it is likely caused by both tranny and clutch. Even with a faulty clutch/clutch system it really shouldn't grind.

It wouldn't hurt to check the rubber bushings from the shift linkages to the transmission. They are rubber and deteriorate over time.

I ran Pennzoil Synchromesh and loved it, took away the notchyness and occasional grinds, but it is a little thin. I personally added 1 qrt of synchromesh and the rest Coastal 75w-90. Make sure it's GL-4 and not GL-5 in the transmission by the way. Coastal is fine even though it says GL3-4-5(magic?)

 

[eclipsemustang]

hmmm i've never really noticed if it happened when the clutch was held in or not. but i will check where the clutch is set and if thats not it i will try the synchro mesh thanks alot guys ill let you know if that fixes it

 

[oldman420]

another good way to cheack if its tranny related is if you also have problems going into reverse. this is because first and reverse run off the same gear. My tranny has gotten to such a point where i have to put it in second to stop the synchros then quickly throw it into first while they are stopped. I dont run any synchromesh in my tranny but im going to give it a shot now. If you cant feel it in reverse and that second to first trick doesnt work out i would definatly say blackgsx2g hit the nail on the head and you need to adjust that push rod on the back of of your clutch because your pedal isnt engaging your clutch enough.

 

[JackM]

another good way to cheack if its tranny related is if you also have problems going into reverse. this is because first and reverse run off the same gear.

No it doesn't. Reverse consists of its own gear on the input shaft (the small straight cut gear in between 1st and 2nd). On the intermediate shaft reverse is integrated to the outside of the 1/2 synchro slider. The reverse gear idler is what moves to connect the 1/2 slider and input shaft gears together when you engage reverse. The synchro blocker is located at the end cover and acts as a brake to stop the input shaft from rotating. During rev gear engagement this blocker helps to prevent the idler gear from grinding due to the input and intermediate shafts turning at different speeds.

If the trans is grinding going into 1st, you are too late. You either burned up the synchro blocker or ground off the slider teeth to the point where they can't put consistent load on the blocker. It is unfortunate, but there is no easy fix. If you decide to rebuild it, I can convert your 1st gear to a double synchro so you never have that problem ever again, and you can shift into 1st with ease

Jack
www.jackstransmissions.com

 

[eclipsemustang]

thanks well i havent had much time to do anything yet with work but i've done the shift into second than into first and it shifts fine that way, so does that pretty much eliminate its a clutch problem? and its most likely synchros?

 

[Mr Peepers]

If it shifts without grinding from 2nd to 1st at a stop its telling me its a synchro problem. 1st gear's synchro cant slow the input shaft at idle speed without grinding, but when its shifted to 2nd then 1st, 2nd does the work of slowing the input shaft to a stop. Then 1st slides right in. You should be able to do the same thing by waiting with the clutch pressed in at a stop before engaging 1st, but I was never patient enough for that. I might suggest shifting from 4th to 1st or something like that, since 2nd generally sees the most abuse anyway and its synchros need all the life they can get.