2nd Gear Popout Under Braking

[LER42]

A couple of times while autocrossing I've had the car (07 MS3 GT) slip out of 2nd gear. Before today, it had occurred on courses that involved 3-2 downshifting, so I figured it was driver error.

But today, it happened on a course that was all 2nd gear, so I don't think I'm to blame. The only time it happened today was under heavy heavy braking (the brake assist kicked in - yes, I overcooked the corner (loser)). It's never happened on the street.

Any thoughts? One of the other guys at the event mentioned how light the action on the shifter is - is there any chance that the braking force is so great that the shift lever gets thrown forward?!

Thanks,

 

[sierra248]

Its the Counterweight on the shifter, just remove it and see how you like it. If u hate it, drill a few holes until its what your looking for.

 

[bacarl]

From time to time I'll slip out of second also. I haven't had the car long enough to get it in an autox, but it does happen occasionally during normal driving on the street.

It doesn't do it quite on its own, only when I'm touching the shifter, but just as I'm getting ready for a 2-3 upshift, just resting my hand on the shifter, it sometimes falls roughly out of the gear as I start to depress the clutch. I actually notice it more during non-spirited driving, since those shifts take longer and everything happens slowly. It always goes into third just fine, just exits second more abruptly than seems normal.

If you weren't touching your shifter at all, I doubt that sheer braking force would dislodge the shifter, as it usually takes direct input/leverage to shift. I assume you had the clutch disengaged during the braking? in which case I suppose it's plausible that the shifter could have slipped due to the hard braking, just seems unlikely.

 

[sierra248]

Look under your hood up front of engine and there is about a 2lb(????) piece of lead attached to shift linkage. Its Definitely the weight yanking it out of second, remove or drill it out a little at a time till u find the right spot. The weak link to this car in my opinion is the gearbox. I've changed to Redline MT-90, Added the CorkSport Motor Mounts and the TWM Shifter Base Bushing. I haven't posted a "What I think" yet as I wanted it to settle in and get rid of any in-my-head feelings but its getting there. Everyone that I mention this too thinks i am crazy but I really think that adding a stiffer spring to the reverse lockout is my next step, I seem to always be pushing down on the shifter during even normal shifting, I need to stiffen that up and I think my tranny isues are solved, until maybe the cobb short shifter comes out but right now its much better then stock and almost to the level of my direct linkage nissans i been driving for years.

 

[jheer]

resurrecting an old thread here ...


Same thing happened to me this weekend in 2 of my autocross runs. Popped out of second gear - but I think the shifter was still in second gear position. Just the tranny was disengaged. I think it is a motor mount issue - too soft and the engine and tranny are rolling around under hard stress.

Anyone ever figure out this popout problem?

 

[jheer]

update (at least for me)

Well, I took the Speed3 into the dealer and explained the second gear popout problem. They tested it and told me that they need to replace second gear, possibly more. The service manager said it is all covered under warranty; I will get a loaner for the 2-3 days it will take; and they might replace more than just second if they find anything else wrong in there.

Other than the 2 times it popped out during autocross, it drives fine. Should I be wary of this intended repair? She said that over time, the condition would worsen, so it is better to get it now while under warranty.

Thoughts, anyone?

 

[Mike240SX]

You mentioned AutoXing you car and instead of voiding your warranty like many dealers will do, they're giving you a free transmission.

Keep your mouth shut.

 

[jheer]

You mentioned AutoXing you car and instead of voiding your warranty like many dealers will do, they're giving you a free transmission.

Keep your mouth shut.

Yeah, that's how I felt. The service manager seems to be going out of her way to correct even the perception of a problem. Pretty cool.