Grinding in first gear

Discussion in 'Modifications And Maintenance' started by JeWrX, Jun 12, 2006.

  1. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Im not sure if this is actually a problem or not but I am just a little curious about it. When I downshift into first gear, first of all, it is very hard to do, as in i really have to push hard on the shifter, and second of all, even if im not under like 3 miles an hour, it makes the shifter jump and i hear a grinding noise, sometimes it kicks it out and others it doesnt, this happens even when i keep the clutch all the way down. I am just wondering if this is common or if i need a fix? I think i heard it might be something like a throw-out bearing or something of that nature but im not very technical and am still learning about this stuff. So far i have just been not shifting into first until i am going very slow or stopped, but I just want to make sure nothing is broken. Any advice?
     
  2. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    how old is your car
     
  3. kickin_81
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    kickin_81 Well-Known Member

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    Bad synchro possibly. How old is your car? Do you dump the clutch a lot? Try to do burnouts?

    A cheap fix would to put in new/better transmission fluid. The best fix would be to get in there and replace what's going bad in the tranny.

    tip: do not force the shifter into any gear... especially first when your wheels are still rolling. Staying in 2nd until you come to a stop would be best for the tranny.
     
  4. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    The car is an 02 It has 44,000 miles on it. I bought it used and the guy "Said" he didnt beat on it but my mechanics didnt catch this problem when i had it checked out. Its not that big of a deal because i just stay in second but it is kind of annoying. I do not race it, dump the clutch or try to do burnouts. Sometimes i just drive it fast LOL. How much would a new synchro cost? Kinda strapped for cash since I just bought the car and all...
     
  5. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    I wonder if the tranny fluid needs to be changed that might be why it is hard to shift into 1st
     
  6. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Like i said, not to technical with the cars, infact ill be making my first appearance at firestone soon, but is that something i can do myself?
     
  7. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    Yes you can but there are some people on here that work on Subaru's everyday so see what they say.
     
  8. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    by the way do you happen to know slowrex he lives in woodbury?
     
  9. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, were friends andactually go to school together, he helped convince me to get a WRX.
     
  10. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    What is your name?
     
  11. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    Subaru 5 speeds are designed to not go into first unless you are at about 2mph or less. If you want to go into first at more than that, you need to double clutch and blip the throttle when in neutral, then get it in gear before the tranny slows back down internally.
     
  12. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    My name's Kevin, Yeah maybe one of the guys at Firestone could help me eh? You guys go on saturday too right?
     
  13. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Well Piddster, that explains it eh? I dont exactly know what double clutching is but thanks, just glad to know something isnt broken.
     
  14. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    Yeah but friday is when matt (slowrex) goes out there and when most people are out there saturday there isnt so many people. So friday would be the best day to come out.
     
  15. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    About what time to people show up and leave?
     
  16. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    people start showing up around 7 and leave around 1030
     
  17. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    You have a pm from me by the way
     
  18. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Well i guess were going a little off topic but thats ok, Thanks a lot piddster, Im very happy that nothing is broken on my car, worried the heck out of me. IT still needs a litle work until it is in tip top shape but thats mostly brakes and rotors, and im not a complete moron. So thanks a lot for the help guys, and damn you stay up late...
     
  19. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    School is out so there is no reason to go to bed early
     
  20. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Tru dat, i just had appendicitis so i should be sleeping, but staying awake when your doped up on percocet is just so much fun...
     
  21. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    I work in a damn restaurant so I'm a night owl. I'd be surprised if I get to bed before 2:30 :eek3:
     
  22. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    OMG dude if I was you I would be sleeping right now
     
  23. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Nah its cool, i got it removed last wednesday so im just in pain right now, but perscription painkillers make everything better.
     
  24. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    LOL yeah they do I had my wisdom teeth pulled out in the summer and the meds that they gave to me were sweet
     
  25. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    I miss the intravenous morpheine though...That stuff is awesome, makes you itchy but its worth it.
     
  26. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    I didnt get itchy
     
  27. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    Just read the rest of the thread:roll:


    To get into first at pretty much anykind of speed, shift into neutral, hit the throttle and get the revs at or above what you think you'll be when driving in first at that speed, VERY quickly push the clutch back in while trying to push the shifter into first. It should slide in if the revs match. Then to let the clutch out, you'll need to get the revs back up again otherwise your car will lurch real bad due to clutch drag. Similar concept to heal and toe shifting.


    It may sound complicated, but will becaome natural with some practice. Good luck.



    P.S. - I wish I had some percaset. ;)
     
  28. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Thanks a lot piddster, you definately took some fear away from me about my car having some sort of tranny problems. Im glad someone knows this stuff, and was up this late so i didnt have to worry.
     
  29. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    It does sound complicated piddster
     
  30. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Upon hearing the explanation i have heard of double clutching before, only tried it a few times, i suppose if i work on it it will become second nature. My first manual car and I got it like 2 weeks ago, also its bone stock, so i may not be that impressive, but its fun for me.
     
  31. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    After some practice it feels natural. Heel and toe felt really wierd at first, but now its hard to not do it, to save on gas.

    I reccommend trying it on gravel first, till you get the hang of it. After that, you'll be ready to destroy a road course or an autoX.



    We should all be thankfull that Subaru placed the pedals in the right spots to do all this. Being designed around rallying has sooooooo many positive reprocussions for us its great.
     
  32. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    I cant wait to get my first manual subaru
     
  33. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Cool, well thanks again, I think we should probably shut this down before we get too off topic. Which we already are.
     
  34. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    Damn. Bone stock '02 w/ 44k? Hard to find.

    You need an up-pipe and a little tuning. How does 40 whp for $1500 sound?



    I thought about getting a GD, but decided to build up my old Legacy. Something about being a sleeper I guess. But if I ever wreck it, I'll throw everything in a GD with a munched engine/tranny.
     
  35. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Id like to throw some mods in, but right now, i have to sell my stupid stratus and see how much money i have, also I think im going to start with some smalle rmods, like K&n filter, exhaust, stuff that adds a little performance, i cant afford the expensive ones.
     
  36. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    Right on. Just remember: eBay is a beautiful thing;)
     
  37. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    For sure, Slowrex is going to help me out, ive heard all the guys down at firestone are really helpful and nice too, so i look foreward to going down there. Cant wait to show off my new black WRX, even though its bone stock...=(
     
  38. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    You just have to watch out for those really good deals
     
  39. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    I have seen some good deals on ebay before, just gotta watch for scams
     
  40. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    Thats what I was saying I ment to say you have to watch out for those to good to be true deals
     
  41. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    I almost got screwed out of 700 dollars on an eclipse deck, it was in dash 7" lcd with a hard drive and nacigation, should have known a 2400 deck for that little was a scam. I got lucky...
     
  42. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    Yeah i know some people who have got screwed over
     
  43. JeWrX
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    JeWrX Well-Known Member

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    Meh, I think ill stick with the stock system for now, selling my dual 12" comp vrs, kicker zx 750.1 power kit and rca cables..brand new, over 1k worth of stuff....just need the money....
     
  44. piddster
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    piddster Lone Wolf

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    I suppose some things are more common targets for scams than others. Being careful about the seller's feedback is key. When I was in the market for a 6MT, there were a few for real cheap, but with zero feedback. They felt way too risky for me.
     
  45. subaru4
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    subaru4 New Member

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    Yeah those are the people