I've been having an issue lately getting into second gear. It seems to be related to changing the MTF as it never happened before changing the fluid, but I can't imagine a fluid change would cause gears to grind.

When I shift from first to second, I can sometimes feel it doesn't go completely into gear. If I release the clutch during this halfway shift, second will grind and go into gear. To prevent grinding, I will pull it out of second and go back into second before releasing the clutch.

Much less often I am getting the same grind going into fourth -- is there any connection with second and fourth gear?

I notice the grinding mostly happens during quick accelerations during a left or right turn. When I changed the fluid I noticed the transmission mount is in pretty bad shape so I plan to change all broken transmission and motor mounts soon.

Could it be that too much movement allowed by the mount during acceleration is causing problems with the shift linkages?

Any ideas appreciated!

 

What fluid did you use? The bad mount will affect shifting on most cars, the slop binds the linkages sometimes.. The longer you go the more $$ this repair will cost.. You will wreck the synchro(s) with the wrong fluid, and that is cubic dollars to repair..

 

I had Amsoil MTF in it, changed it with Honda MTF. Noticed the difficulty getting into gear, so changed back to Amsoil MTF with the same results.

I'm thinking it's maybe slop in the linkages as well so I'm planning on replacing that as soon as I can. I just wondered if anyone else had ideas of things to check.

 

I'm betting the new mount will fix you up.. Be gentle with it till then. Hands MT's are not too fragile but synchro's are very small parts that are not fun to fix..

 

Now that you mention this, this same thing has happened to me 3 times in the last 2 or 3 months. I had thought I must not have been paying attention and released the clutch too soon or something; but perhaps I have the same issue as you (sans the recent MT fluid replacement; mine was 20k ago). Also 1st to 2nd (while turning); and 3rd to 4th (going straight).

Did you ever get this figured out? I'm at 93k now.

 

Its happening to me to, but only when I downshift from 3rd to 2nd.

 

I'm having the same problem. Only downshift from 3rd to 2nd. Did you resolve your issue?

 

I replaced the transmission mount and it completely resolved the issue. One day I drove down a gravel road and by the end of it couldn't get into ANY gear...I was finally able to work it into first and get to work where I replaced the mount that evening.