MS3 Tranny Sucks. Need advice.

[ElGaspo]

lest we condemn someone too quickly...i'm 49 yrs old, learned how to drive on a manual, and been driving manuals almost exclusively [2 yr on a Buick Riviera diesel auto - don't get me started] for the past 33 yrs, so i think i know a thing or 2 about shifting. there is a problem w/ 2nd & 3rd gear synchros, even though they're "triple cone" . you'd think that would be enough to guarantee smooth shifts, but it's not the case.

taking it easy on the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts until the gear oil warms up is a good idea; so is replacing the motor mounts w/ stiffer ones; switching to Redline MT90 ditto; short shifter + bushings also help.

bottom line is that the tranny is cranky when cold. as soon as it warms up it's nite & day. all the above reflect MY opinions/findings on MY car. i've read from some owners that they have no complaints at all, more power to them.

so yeah, the tranny is a weak link. would i trade away the car just because of this 1 issue? not a chance. for $25k it's the best car i've ever driven. Zoom Zoom forever. (thumb)

 

[Sawce]

This tranny is a Godsend compared to my '02 WRX.

Amen to that. My '02 WRX tranny was a finicky lil' b****.

 

[meicalnissyen]

There has to be something else here. I ran this car at the dragstrip just last week and the trans is no problem, even with that severe test. I think I can feel the TO bearing dragging just slightly when I let the clutch out in neutral when cold. Admittedly the clutch takeup is really narrow and really high and this contributes to a clumsy feeling at times but, when pushed, all seems well. It's never ground gears even once. I don't disbelieve you but, there, has to be an answer to your issue.

Not TO. I think the input shaft bearing is kinda f'd up. At least on mine

grungy noise in neutral which goes away with clutch disengaged = inputshaft

 

[dizzin9]

lest we condemn someone too quickly...i'm 49 yrs old, learned how to drive on a manual, and been driving manuals almost exclusively [2 yr on a Buick Riviera diesel auto - don't get me started] for the past 33 yrs, so i think i know a thing or 2 about shifting. there is a problem w/ 2nd & 3rd gear synchros, even though they're "triple cone" . you'd think that would be enough to guarantee smooth shifts, but it's not the case.

taking it easy on the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts until the gear oil warms up is a good idea; so is replacing the motor mounts w/ stiffer ones; switching to Redline MT90 ditto; short shifter + bushings also help.

bottom line is that the tranny is cranky when cold. as soon as it warms up it's nite & day. all the above reflect MY opinions/findings on MY car. i've read from some owners that they have no complaints at all, more power to them.

so yeah, the tranny is a weak link. would i trade away the car just because of this 1 issue? not a chance. for $25k it's the best car i've ever driven. Zoom Zoom forever. (thumb)

true. but until i get a *really* sweet deal, especially if i can get rid of the other car, i wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

so i tighten up the bolts on my MM just to make sure - it wiggles ever so slightly so i did. that might've helped because it feels like it's back to where it should be unlike before. and lately the shifter feels smoother for some reason (weather perhaps?). the driver mod might've helped too. i think i'm too complacent. looking forward to add the pennzoil synchromesh and see how that goes as far as shift feel.

thanks for the pieces of advice (and sarcasm :dodgy u guys inputted.

 

[954_ms3]

Want a bad tranny? Try a Civic Si, I would grind 2nd and 3rd all the time and the car was brand new.

im assuming your talking about the fg2/fa5 si. if so that gearbox is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much smoother than the MS3. yes the 3rd gear synchro is trash but you can get that taken care of under warranty without being harrassed by the dealership. seriously it's crazy how much easier it is to drive that car daily

 

[karl hungus]

the transmission mount and engine dampers help out alot

get the trz mount combo from pg. i wish this would have been my first mod.

 

[Wurf]

lest we condemn someone too quickly...i'm 49 yrs old, learned how to drive on a manual, and been driving manuals almost exclusively [2 yr on a Buick Riviera diesel auto - don't get me started] for the past 33 yrs, so i think i know a thing or 2 about shifting. there is a problem w/ 2nd & 3rd gear synchros, even though they're "triple cone" . you'd think that would be enough to guarantee smooth shifts, but it's not the case.

taking it easy on the 1-2 & 2-3 shifts until the gear oil warms up is a good idea; so is replacing the motor mounts w/ stiffer ones; switching to Redline MT90 ditto; short shifter + bushings also help.

bottom line is that the tranny is cranky when cold. as soon as it warms up it's nite & day. all the above reflect MY opinions/findings on MY car. i've read from some owners that they have no complaints at all, more power to them.

so yeah, the tranny is a weak link. would i trade away the car just because of this 1 issue? not a chance. for $25k it's the best car i've ever driven. Zoom Zoom forever. (thumb)

I'm just over 40 and have had several manual trans performance cars over the years and I think you're dead-on correct about the trans fluid temp, and the best car for $25K ever!

The CPE motor mount is on back order but it will be the first mod I make to this car. I can't wait to get it installed.

 

[GoFast]

I removed the shifter weight and haven't ground third once since. That was well over 15,000 miles ago....I am also on the stock mm most of the time.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

get the trz mount combo from pg. i wish this would have been my first mod.

thanks karl

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

get the trz mount combo from pg. i wish this would have been my first mod.

Just don`t hold your breath waiting for a delivery.

I have managed to grind/miss every odd numbered gear. Every time it was because I was not paying proper attention to what I was doing and just mindlessly ripping through the gears.
Once warmed up, I have no problems with this tranny. Cold, on the other hand...

 

[RC08MS3]

i think the tranny is decent, but i do have the notchy 2nd gear i hear others talk about. It sucks because sometimes when you run 1-2 you think your in 2nd, and to your surprise your not

 

[amascio]

I changed transfluid to Ford Motorcraft XT-M5-QS and haven't looked back. It's the correct weght and made in Germany specifically for difficult shifting manual transmissions. Motorcraft also claims it is suitable for lifetime fill. Don't know about that, but it has been in my car now for nearly 12k and doesn't seem to be loosing any of it's synchro smoothing abilities yet.

Just a thought. Google it and look for Ford's chemical and lubricants web page. A little co$tly but it is the only trans fluid this car will ever see.

Probably do 50k oil changes with it.

Cheers!