Shifting into only 3rd grinds

[And_44]

So I've searched and read, found maybe 3 other posts with similar problems but they lead no where with no results posted.

I will be adjusting the clutch pedal today or Friday, because it does grab almost right away from floor. Will also be swapping fluids this Friday with 1qt Redline MTF and toped off with MT-90. It shifts great to all gears but 3rd. I have a 1990 TSi AWD. I do know that our 3rd gear doesn't have any synchro's so it couldn't be that. And if I had grinding in my 1 or 2nd I'd be thinking just my trannies age but they shift awesome, so does my 4th, 5th and Reverse.

It shifts fine when cold and when warm and shifted below 3k rpm and slowly. The grinding into 3rd occurs only after tranny is in operating temps and done from over 3k rpm's or downshifting from 4th. When in operating temps the shift from 2nd to 3rd when done normal it grinds but engages. When downshifting from 4th to 3rd it grinds and doesn't like to engage unless I double clutch and rpm match. If I wiggle the shifter left to right while shifting into 3rd from 2nd it doens't grind as much or not at all. The max rpm my beast see's is right around 5k +/-300, don't do any high speed shifts.

My question for anyone reading is. Any suggestions about any other cause of this problem? Because of my lack of finding similar problem in search's I decided to open this post for future searcher's and any additional input for myself. After my adjustment and fluid change I'll be updating this with my results, but am open to any other possible cause's.

Thanks in advance for reading this and any response's you can post.

 

[BK85]

I had the same problem on my 2g, 3rd gear grinding. I finally had to pick up a used tranny as the problem migrated from 3rd to 5th than 2nd.

You may be able to confine it to 3rd with a flush of the tranny oil and add new oil to keep the junk in there from trashing the other syncros.

This may hold it till you can afford a rebuild or a new tranny.

BK85

 

[And_44]

Well, found out what's up. The bracket on the tranny wasn't bolted down tight. Had about 2in of freeplay. I tightened it down and the shifting into 3rd is almost 100% of time gone. BUT it still grinds when shifting from 4th to 3rd. The shifting is a heck of alot more solid too.

And found that the synchro's on 3rd are not the same as 1st and 2nd but there is a ring and a bumper. The bumper is worn out on 3rd. With clutch not being pressed, I tried moving into all the gears. 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and R all stop and don't engage, but 3rd tries to engage and grinds.

So I guess my problem in this whole thing was the bracket on Tranny being loose, and 3rd gear synchro bumper. Happy now that I'm able to drive up through 1-5 without grinding. And I can deal with double clutching 3rd for downshifting from 4th, for next month or so till I get it rebuilt or replaced.

 

[And_44]

Ended up doing a fluid change in transmission with the Redline combo 2/3 and 1/3. Ended up helping too. Only grinded when cold and when warmed up almost no grinding issue.

 

[DSMGary]

Well, found out what's up. The bracket on the tranny wasn't bolted down tight. Had about 2in of freeplay. I tightened it down and the shifting into 3rd is almost 100% of time gone. BUT it still grinds when shifting from 4th to 3rd. The shifting is a heck of alot more solid too.
.

Hi And_44,

Which bracket are you talking about? I have similar symptoms.

 

[And_44]

The one that mounts to the bell housing just aft of where the cable attach to the arms of tranny it right below the therostat housing. It was the braket where the rubber coating of the shifter cable ends and just the theaded steel cables exit from rubber part.

 

[SpawnedX]

Just keep in mind that this is still only a temporary solution. This is very common with the AWD transmissions, and eventually over time or through more power you will have the issue return and progress. Not trying to scare you, it's just what it is. I have the same issue on my tranny. My resolution...Shep Stage III.

 

[And_44]

Yes true my synchros where going in 3rd. But if the synchros are good but the bracket loose doesnt matter who rebuilds the tranny, its gonna shift like poop with a loose cable bracket. Cheaper to check the simple cheap stuff first before sending it in to Jack or Shepp for a rebuild. You'de feel pretty stupid spending 900-2k for a rebuild when all it is was a 15min torque job on 2 bolts.