does anyone have a transmission problem?

[ghostech]

I havent had much of any problems with my swap done 2 years ago.Lately, when my car warms up, i find it kinda hard to slip my car into first gear, granted that I am in a complete stop. shifting isnt much of a problem, it goes into gear w/o much effort, its just first gear that gets kinda tuff to put it into.

***any suggestions?***

thanks.

[Blown240sx]

Thats how mine is also. I guess its the bushing on the shifter. Sometimes I have to really force it to go into the gear but Im positive its not the transmission.

[ghostech]

yup....and its weird, like in the morning, when its nice and fresh outside, there is no problem. but as i continue to drive, sometimes its hard to put it in gear...and i think its only first gear.

perhaps I need to change out the transmission fluid/oil? if so, what grade do i use?

[S2R4200_ONEVIA]

It's probally just fine Mine does the same thing from time to time

[Blown240sx]

Its not the transmission. Its the shifter bushings. If the transmission was going bad youd be grinding gears like crazy.

[ghostech]

all this sounds good. im really glad to hear i am not the only one that this happens to. from the sound of things...perhaps it is normal.

what grade gear oil, or transmission fluid do you all use?

im thinking about changing it either way along with the L.S.D. The nismo LSD came with 80W-90 100% synthetic oil, so thats what i'll use, but what about the trany?

[95lstegman]

i believe i can shed some light on this. i've been building manual transmissions for about 2 years now i think.

first off, make sure your clutch system is bled and adjusted properly. this can make it difficult to get into gear, esp. into first from a stop, but it usually affects all gears a little unless you revmatch really well.

if that doesn't fix the problem, it's probably worn teeth on the first gear and its corresponding shift collar. it's a very common problem, and not very cheap to fix. you could probably buy 2 used transmissions for what the parts alone cost, let alone labor. the synchronizer is probably not in bad shape, but most cars have poor synchronization on first gear anyways, which is why few cars can downshift easily into first while driving unless the transmission is fubar'd or possibly new, even with a good revmatch.

so in summary, yes, it's common on older cars, and no, it's probably not worth your time to fix it, and almost assuredly not your money. if i were tackling the problem i would probably charge in the neighborhood of $600, just off the top of my head. you could almost get a 6-speed for that (and hope it isn't messed up already).

[Blown240sx]

I think we are al on different wave lengths here. My problem I have is the shifter is hard to push into first but once I get the shifter to go forward into first the gear goes right in no problem.

Mine isnt the transmission but the bushings on the shifter causing it to catch.

[virus77]

I dont have this problem with my current car but have had lots of cars with this porblem in the past. Going to second or partially into second and then going into first usually makes it slide in easy. On my old 951 I used to do a 4-3-2-1 countdown when the transmission was still cold and gradually work myself to only 2-1, now that was annoying.

[ghostech]

thanks 95lstegman... thanks for sheding some light on this. i appreciate it.

[JesusLikesKFC]

happens when i first start driveing too, not a big deal for me. by the time i get outof my parking lot and get to a light its good. also srs dont like going into first unless its under 10mph.

[95lstegman]

I think we are al on different wave lengths here. My problem I have is the shifter is hard to push into first but once I get the shifter to go forward into first the gear goes right in no problem.

Mine isnt the transmission but the bushings on the shifter causing it to catch.

i never had a problem with the bushing in the shifter when i had the stock shifter. but i bought for like $60 on ebay a short shifter that looks exactly like a B&M but with a black bottom instead of blue. it works great and it's been a dream how short and precise the shifting is, esp. with my new NISMO engine/transmission mounts. if you think this is the problem then stop procrastinating and spend the <$75. you'll thank me later even if that isn't the problem.

[IanS]

yah, Ive got the same problem with 1st gear, Im not worried about it, what I am worried about it the scrapping/gringing noise I get if I downshift into fourth between 37 and 45 mph, I think it may be my carrier bearing

[otterman]

I kinda got the same problem.

My car has trouble being put into reverse. It wont go all the way in, it gets stuck half way. I just take it out of gear then try again and it goes in fine.

[JesusLikesKFC]

werd? i dont think i have any issues. just doesnt go into gear sometimes unless it rolls front or back a we bit.

[95lstegman]

I kinda got the same problem.

My car has trouble being put into reverse. It wont go all the way in, it gets stuck half way. I just take it out of gear then try again and it goes in fine.

i don't remember off the top of my head if the FS5W71C (SR/KA/RB20 transmission) has a reverse synchronizer or not, but even transmissions with one are still often difficult to get into reverse. the main reason is that reverse is a straight-cut gear, not helical like your other gears. for this reason, reverse also makes a lot of noise compared to the other gears. when they're new, the gears slide together nicely, but they quickly wear out.