grinding in 2nd gear

[honda_eater]

i have a 89 s13 with 156k on it. when i drive my car in cold weather for the first 10 minutes it grinds hardcore when i try to switch to second gear and a little when into 3rd. Its about what it would feel/sound like if i used no clutch. i had the clutch replaced last year and It does this before and after the replacement. anybody know what the grind is all about?

p.s.- shifting in general has always seemed really ****ty maybe cuz i cant use a stick-shift very well. "****ty" as in no matter how slow i push in/let off the clutch the passengers head always pulls forward like i was tappin the brakes :rolleyes .

any help/answers would be nice

[johnsharpe]

Sounds like worn syncros to me. If double clutching helps, then it's probably that.

If your passengers are getting a jerky ride, then IMHO, you need to learn how to drive stick better.

[honda_eater]

are these expensive?

[Two-Forty]

yea sounds like you not used to a stick yet, thats where you gettin the jerk from...and maybe it grinds because you lettin the clutch go before you shift to 2nd or in between. I think you're shiftin too fast, try slowin down see how that helps out.

[honda_eater]

unfortunately im not new to the shift but i am self-taught. maybe i am shiftin too fast but I know for sure that im not lettin the clutch go too soon.

[Lepchitz1]

your syncros are gone dude...your best bet is to 1. if you are low on funds get some redline transmition fluid..it will help a little. 2. rebuild your transmission (which will be pricey) or 3. Find a transmission with low mileage from a junkyard and replace it. You can find our transmissions just about anywhere. Im in the process of new transmission, clutch, and lightened flywheel all at once. Hey, might as well do the other **** while the transmission is dropped!

[Cyberkreig]

Definatly synchros.. and that head jerking thing.. I have that too. Dont worry too much about that. My girlfriend b1tches, I think she just need to hold on tighter.

[johnsharpe]

are these expensive?

Syncros? On their own, not really, but in order to install them, it's a transmission rebuild.

Follow Lepchitz1's suggestions if it really bugs you...best bets...

John

[br2819]

how long can you drive with bad synchros? i also have the same problem but it is only for a few minutes.

[johnsharpe]

how long can you drive with bad synchros? i also have the same problem but it is only for a few minutes.

My car had the same issues too, but I replaced the transmission fluid (with regular dino oil) and it seemed to help. It still grinds a bit when it's cold, but if you're careful with it for the first few minutes, (slower shifts, lower revs, etc) then it should engage fine until it warms up....YMMV..IMHO...

How long can you drive on bad syncros? Tough one to answer....depends on your driving. If you're hard on the transmission, not long. If you take care of it, then sky's the limit. (again: YMMV....)

[APEXi240]

With bad synchros you can drive as long as you want, but when gears grind really hard and your wrecking the teeth on the gears, thats when the transmission will break. Be gentle to it and it will last until you have money for a rebuild or money for a new one.

[br2819]

thanks for the info. it only happens for about the first 5 minutes and i usually don't rev it too high then anyway.