Tranny Grinds From 1st-2nd Gear?!

[Mist3r Spool]

Ok, I don't know what happened but I've been really busy with work and all and haven't had time to do the regular "pampering" to my ride but last Friday, my car started grinding when going from 1st to 2nd gear! I recently (about 6K miles ago) changed my tranny fluid with GM Synchromesh (AC Delco Bottle) and it seemed ok, until now. Another note is that it whines quite a bit, like when driving in reverse...On the freeway it sounds like an angry elephant or something, it's awful. I'm thinking the previous fluid I used, straight Redline MTL, kinda screwed things up, because it came out looking black & gold and it smelled like garbage!

Anyway, back to the issue. When I downshift from 3rd to 2nd the grind doesn't occur. Also, I tried going from 1st to 3rd then 2nd then releasing the clutch to engage, and it doesn't grind either. Basically, it just grinds when going from 1st to 2nd and it's difficult to avoid unless it's a low/parking lot speed. Is it a synchro? Need another fluid change? Here's a list of what I've changed recently and how many miles old it is:

Clutch 50K
Fluid 6K
Clutch Master & Slave Cylinder 50K
Fluid (Delphi 5.1) 6K

One final note, my clutch fluid is black and it turns black in a weeks time after being flushed/pumped out...is the 5.1 stuff eating up the rubber line or something?!

Sorry for the lengthy post, I'm trying to be as detailed as possible. I did do a search but didn't find anything that's as specific as my issue. Thanks in advance.

 

[talondude4]

bad Synchros sorry

 

[Mist3r Spool]

bad Synchros sorry

So, how do I replace them, I can do most engine work, does this require special tools of some sort? OR, Should I just invest into a new tranny? My buddy has a fully built TRE AWD tranny and he said I could install it into my FWD car and have the drive shaft disconnected and just spinning, how accurate is this? I'd rather just go with a junkyard tranny or repair it.

 

[vexixx]

Stainless steel lines would be an awesome upgrade just for regular maintence. I wouldn't recommend installing the AWD or even so removing yours unless you read about some more about transmissions. Is it possiable to shift from 1st to 2nd rev matching? Also can you put the car into 2nd gear while its off, start it, and release the clutch and have it forward just fine? I'd have to say from experience FWD trannys are alot easier to pull and have someone do that work on it for you , but if you dont know how to align it properly when installing it your better off having a professional just do it for you.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

Stainless steel lines would be an awesome upgrade just for regular maintence. I wouldn't recommend installing the AWD or even so removing yours unless you read about some more about transmissions. Is it possiable to shift from 1st to 2nd rev matching? Also can you put the car into 2nd gear while its off, start it, and release the clutch and have it forward just fine? I'd have to say from experience FWD trannys are alot easier to pull and have someone do that work on it for you , but if you dont know how to align it properly when installing it your better off having a professional just do it for you.

Let me re-phrase the original issue. I STILL CAN shift from 1st to 2nd gear but it slightly grinds initally...it's as if the clutch isn't being pressed down fully. Any thoughts now?

 

[talondude4]

bad syncros, because it's a common problem on a dsm. Just save pennies and buy a shep tranny.

 

[vexixx]

Let me re-phrase the original issue. I STILL CAN shift from 1st to 2nd gear but it slightly grinds initally...it's as if the clutch isn't being pressed down fully. Any thoughts now?

If you feel that the clutch isn't be pressed in all way can you can adjust it from underneath the pedal (http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclipsetech/clutch/2g-clutchadjustment.jpg) and or add an extended slave rod.

 

[RS-RGS-T]

try bleeding your clutch it helped me i had the same prob. just 2 c if its the same prob b4 shifting pump the clutch 1 extra time so instead of just shifitng push in the clutch twice if it helps bleed it if not its synchros.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

If you feel that the clutch isn't be pressed in all way can you can adjust it from underneath the pedal (http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclipsetech/clutch/2g-clutchadjustment.jpg) and or add an extended slave rod.

Thanks, I've tried that but for some reason it's either just right or it just sets it so that the engagement is too soon.

I'm gonna try to go ahead and bleed it again since it does seem to engage fine if I double-press the clutch pedal.

Thanks for all your help!