the 'grind' is so bothersome

[21Rouge]

I have an '05 5 speed with about 55k km (or around 32k miles). Almost since day 1 I have used good synthetic MT fluid. I even change this out once a year. Until a few weeks ago I would classify the shifting as perfect and it has been that way since day 1. But recently going from 2nd to 3rd has been problematic. It is so easy to get a grind . I am definitely not terchnically inclined but I take it this could be due to syncros rather than the clutch? I promise I am a good driver of a MT vehicle with lots of experience.Just thinking of options to fix this problem.For example has anyone found a solution using a different fluid?Is there anyway to get this fixed under warranty? Of course driving style can cause the problem but surely there are instances of failed parts.It really has taken the fun out of driving this car. I await some good news

[RIT]

Are you "speed shifting" ? Try slowing down to give the snychros a chance to work. Although it does sound like a warranty issue. talk to the dealer. i have 77K miles, and my tranny doesn't act up at all.

[goodvibe]

What fluid are you using(have used)? It's all about getting the right Visc. and friction with the synchros. you could be too slick. If you're changing that often, Synth has no added value other than maybe shifting better in extreme cold until warmed up. A fluid change could fix this, or at least improve it. This stuff is cheap and works though you may want to check warranty. It's what both GM and Chrysler use as replacement fluid but charge crazy for it. It's not what originally came in the car. http://www.pennzoil.com/produc....html Try Castrol syntorque as the other option. Iy's the synth oem replacement. It definitely meets spec.

[Kamikaze]

With that low of miles, my suggestion is to take it to the dealer, this should be covered under the warranty. Just play dumb. Don't give them anymore information than what they need.... "whenever I shift it makes a grind noise and it never use to..."Don't say anything about you changing th fluid or anything like that... if they ask you say something like... oh yeah I had that changed out during an oil change once... again, just be vague.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »Try Castrol syntorque as the other option. Iy's the synth oem replacement. It definitely meets spec.I used Castrol Syntorq early in the first year; then went to Speciality Formulations later on. Most recently, and for the longest I was using Amsoil. Just last night I drained and went back to the Castrol Syntorq.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by Kamikaze »With that low of miles, my suggestion is to take it to the dealer, this should be covered under the warranty. Wouldnt this be so difficult to get this covered by warranty. Is this any different in the eyes of the dealer of trying to have an unusually worn (misused) clutch looked after by warranty?

[RIT]

I'm no expert, but i was under the impression that if the syncros are spinning too fast, then you can get a grinding noise - i.e. from using a synthetic lubricant - but i could be all wet. That it why i suggested trying a slower shift technique to let the spinning slow down, and then the gears would mesh better. Just for grins, give it a try, and let me know - I'm curious.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by RIT »I'm no expert, but i was under the impression that if the syncros are spinning too fast, then you can get a grinding noise - i.e. from using a synthetic lubricant - but i could be all wet. That it why i suggested trying a slower shift technique to let the spinning slow down, and then the gears would mesh better. Just for grins, give it a try, and let me know - I'm curious. Dont make me switch out the fluid again as I just did it last night using the manual recommended synthetic. And if you are right then shouldnt there be a problem across the board ie shifting through any and all the gears?

[RIT]

Maybe just the 2nd qear syncro is going, and the others are still good. Hey i'm an power systems engineer, not a mechanic ! Ha

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by RIT »Maybe just the 2nd qear syncro is going, and the others are still good. Hey i'm an power systems engineer, not a mechanic ! HaBut if the fluid was the problem then all the syncros would be affected?

[lovemyraffe]

If the fluid was the problem, the entire tranny would be effected. I would definitely take it to the dealer and use that warranty. Sounds like the syncros. I just saw a 99 subaru in my shop with a similar problem.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »If the fluid was the problem, the entire tranny would be effected. I would definitely take it to the dealer and use that warranty. Sounds like the syncros. I just saw a 99 subaru in my shop with a similar problem.And syncros are easier to 'claim' under warranty than the clutch? I just thought that it will be like pulling teeth to get the dealer to have GM foot the bill for this tranny problem . Isnt the life of syncros very dependent on driver expertise re shifting?

[lovemyraffe]

Whether it's the clutch or the syncros, I would have the dealer look at it first. Warranty's are always a P.I.T.A. If it is the clutch, 32k miles is a very short life, syncros are more likely to go out depending on how you shift. I'm not a professional mechanic, I just get to use my father-in-law's shop on weekends for personal use in exchange for a little help when he is behind on jobs.

[goodvibe]

Quote, originally posted by 21Rouge »Wouldn't this be so difficult to get this covered by warranty. Is this any different in the eyes of the dealer of trying to have an unusually worn (misused) clutch looked after by warranty? So, how's the change working? Which Amsoil were you using. First ones right but the second is questionable. They introduced FGR for better synchro compatibility. https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/fgr.aspx https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/svg.aspx

[prathman]

Quote, originally posted by 21Rouge »And syncros are easier to 'claim' under warranty than the clutch?Yes, much easier. The clutch is a normal wear item and the only question is whether it wore out too fast or not - and that's so dependent on driving style that it won't usually be covered under warranty. Drivers are far less likely to abuse the synchros and they really shouldn't cause problems until long after the warranty period. So I'd expect the dealer to cover them unless there's some clear evidence of abuse.

[21Rouge]

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe » So, how's the change working? Which Amsoil were you using. First ones right but the second is questionable. They introduced FGR for better synchro compatibility. [url=https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/fgr.aspx]Yup I had used the first one.I dont think I feel any difference. I can shift from 2nd to 3rd w/o the grind if I am extra careful in the shift. To be more sure of avoiding the grind I sometimes push the stick too far to the right ie away from 1st gear but then this sometimes puts me into 5th . It used to be so automatic how I would go from 1 --> 2 ---> 3 etc. Not any longer . And I know this is always said but it is true for me as well: I have had a 5 speed vehicle for the past 20 years. So I am an experienced shifter .

[goodvibe]

Good luck at the dealer.

[DavidPIL]

Heya 21...I've used Redline almost exclusively since a bad experience with Mobile One. I'm currently using a combination of MT-90 and MTL (about 2:1). Had very little problem for the first 20k or so but I have noticed a similar grind coming back usually going into 3rd. As someone suggested in this thread, I had gone into careful shift mode and it seems to alleviate the grind. I honestly have to wonder if maybe there is air in the hydrolic lines. It just seems that the release of the clutch is slow/sluggish which causes the grind, like when depressing the clutch, the gears don't fully disengage? I'm wondering if bleeding the hydrolic clutch line would help.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Kamikaze »With that low of miles, my suggestion is to take it to the dealer, this should be covered under the warranty. Just play dumb. Don't give them anymore information than what they need.... "whenever I shift it makes a grind noise and it never use to..."Don't say anything about you changing th fluid or anything like that... if they ask you say something like... oh yeah I had that changed out during an oil change once... again, just be vague.Honestly thats probably about the worst advice you could give. Being a service advisor I can pretty much assure you that honesty and the full story goes a lot further then being vague and not offering any information. If they have even half the education of a 1st grader, they will be able to tell the fluid has been changed. If you seem to be hiding something from them and what not... its less likely they will do anything for you. It probably doesn't even have anything to do with you flushing the fluids. I know a few 2004-05 Vibe 5spd tranny with bearing failure and other issues... so very likely there is a real reason wrong with it.Honesty goes a long way.