tranny grinding in second gear

[2k1s2k]

My tranny grinds when I shift fast to second gear. Does this sound like the fluid issue or is my tranny bad?

[dezignpro04]

First off, if you even question the age of any fluids in the car, CHANGE THEM! Also does it do this when cold or when warmed up. If it does it when cold, its not a big deal. Most of the "S" trannies run a little rough when cold. If it does it when it is warm, you may have a bad bearing. Not sure without hearing or driving it... Others can chime in..

[2k1s2k]

cold, warmed up, it doesn't matter. It feels a little "clunky" going into 2nd if I shift slow, but a little quicker shift and it will GRIND big time! I think the synchro may be out for that gear.

it isn't a small almost unnoticible issue, it is a big huge grind that is loud when shifting.

Very annoying.

I see there are transmissions out here for sale for about $850. How difficult would it be to swap?

Or has anyone had it done at a shop and have an idea on the labor cost to swap out a tranny?

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by 2k1s2k

cold, warmed up, it doesn't matter. It feels a little "clunky" going into 2nd if I shift slow, but a little quicker shift and it will GRIND big time! I think the synchro may be out for that gear.

it isn't a small almost unnoticible issue, it is a big huge grind that is loud when shifting.

Very annoying.

I see there are transmissions out here for sale for about $850. How difficult would it be to swap?

Or has anyone had it done at a shop and have an idea on the labor cost to swap out a tranny?

Then you have an issue with the tranny. IIRC, it is a relatively simple drop one the car is jacked up. You do have to have car knowledge, but it isn't like re-creating the wheel. If you find a tranny for around 750-850 and it has less than 25k, its a good deal IMHO.. GL!

On a side note, if you want to try and fix that synchro for second, but that may be a little more that just a swap.. Not sure, never have done it..

[DJJSR]

Before you go overboard with a tranny swap, try the simple stuff first. Change the transmission oil (use the Honda stuff) and bleed the clutch. Might save you mucho dinero, might not. JMO

[s2kx2]

Well first off what year is your S2000? If it is an AP-1 the notchy/rough 1st to 2nd change is somewhat "normal" when trying to shift FAST. I have heard there was a Honda issued TSB for this years ago that involved changing out the syncros. The cheapest solution that was recommended to me was "dont power shift from 1st to 2nd" I believe the owners manuel says to shift slowly as well when running through the gears. Good luck.

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by s2kx2

Well first off what year is your S2000? If it is an AP-1 the notchy/rough 1st to 2nd change is somewhat "normal" when trying to shift FAST. I have heard there was a Honda issued TSB for this years ago that involved changing out the syncros. The cheapest solution that was recommended to me was "dont power shift from 1st to 2nd" I believe the owners manuel says to shift slowly as well when running through the gears. Good luck.

He said it was a horrible grinding, not just notchy. I believe his synchros are bad in second, possibly first as well. (especially with clutch drops).


Start with a fluid change (since you yourself said you don't know how old they are) and see were that takes you.

[lonestarbuzz]

my buddy had a tranny grind on him once. we were in a club in san jose. he bought her a drink and she stopped grinding. so it was a fluid issue. check that first.

[jagg]

my buddy had a tranny grind on him once. we were in a club in san jose. he bought her a drink and she stopped grinding. so it was a fluid issue. check that first.

you and I know he ended up with mainshaft damage, 'n had to gut the unit and start from scratch. Trannys, sheesh.

jagg

[dezignpro04]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

my buddy had a tranny grind on him once. we were in a club in san jose. he bought her a drink and she stopped grinding. so it was a fluid issue. check that first.

OMG. LMAO!!!

I am also sure he has an unknown fluid leakage around his shaft as well.

I'm sure the tranny had some LSD too...

"Limited Slip Differential" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[aladdin20110]

syncro is going bad eventually you will lose that second gear. Do a test real quick. When your about to go into 2nd just pop into thrid and without releasing the clutch go into 2nd from third and see if it grinds or makes that noise. if it doesnt then your syncro is going bad for that gear (from 1st to 2nd) but from 3rd to 2nd its prolly good..

[Dr. Jimbo]

It happens to me when my shift hand is faster than my clutch foot. I'm a little more careful and it hasn't happened in over a year. It happened mostly when I first got the S. Overenthusiastic shifting I guess.

[2k1s2k]

It is an AP1... 2001 model. I have not had it long and it has done this since I purchased it. I do not usually drive it rough at all through the gears, but a few times I have and I did last night again and it reminded me why I do not shift fast in it. It was not a very high PRM shift either, probably in the 5500 RPM range at most. Not like I have read before about problems being caused by shifting at 9000 very quickly and the stresses that are put on a synchro trying to slow the rotation from that RPM to engage the next gear.

I was thinking it was the synchro.

[2k1s2k]

Originally Posted by dezignpro04

Then you have an issue with the tranny. IIRC, it is a relatively simple drop one the car is jacked up. You do have to have car knowledge, but it isn't like re-creating the wheel. If you find a tranny for around 750-850 and it has less than 25k, its a good deal IMHO.. GL!

On a side note, if you want to try and fix that synchro for second, but that may be a little more that just a swap.. Not sure, never have done it..

I was considering doing a repair on the transmission and attempting to swap out all the synchros and I guess also the bearings. I have worked inside some other transmissions before but not in one of these. All of them seem to be a little different at some point.... I think it might be wise to get another transmission and swap it in first, then go tearing into this one and see if I can get it all back together correctly. I think it would be smarter to do that than to tear up the only one I have and possibly mess it up perminently and have nothing to fall back on.

Not sure though, I might just give it a try anyway and see how it goes.

[2k1s2k]

Originally Posted by aladdin20110

syncro is going bad eventually you will lose that second gear. Do a test real quick. When your about to go into 2nd just pop into thrid and without releasing the clutch go into 2nd from third and see if it grinds or makes that noise. if it doesnt then your syncro is going bad for that gear (from 1st to 2nd) but from 3rd to 2nd its prolly good..

I'll give this a try.

[J'sS2K]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

my buddy had a tranny grind on him once. we were in a club in san jose. he bought her a drink and she stopped grinding. so it was a fluid issue. check that first.

+1

[2k1s2k]

Originally Posted by aladdin20110

syncro is going bad eventually you will lose that second gear. Do a test real quick. When your about to go into 2nd just pop into thrid and without releasing the clutch go into 2nd from third and see if it grinds or makes that noise. if it doesnt then your syncro is going bad for that gear (from 1st to 2nd) but from 3rd to 2nd its prolly good..

I did the test and it did not grond going into 3rd from first and then without moving the clutch putting it into 2nd it did not grind. so, only from 1st to 2nd.

Not sure what this means exactly, but I am thinking the synchros are bad in the tranny and I am going to have to have it rebuilt or find a different one.

UGH!

[lonestarbuzz]

or you can just keep shifting 1st-3rd-2nd to go from 1st to 2nd.

[batguano]

Before you write it off,try moving your seat forward a notch. If the clutch pedal does not fully go to the floor, it can cause the problems you have.

[moos500]

yeah mine is doing the same thing, the problem with me is i get ahead of myself and let the clutch out right before its all the way in second. Scares me every time.

[philiam]

I think this is a problem on the early 2000-2001s. Pause in neutral for a fraction of a second, then put it in second. A lot of people report improvement with a Honda MTF change.

[chazdawg35]

Mine does the same thing into 2nd and I had the tranny redone 6 months ago,ACT clutch,flywheel,bearings,braided line,clutch master(factory) and fluids.