Slams into gear.... whaaat?

[codyrx8]

This is actually my first post, but ill do an intro with pics and such later.

As for now, im having some shifting issues with my 2004 rx8. Its stick shift, and for some reason, even with the clutch all the way on the floor, the car will consistently slam into 2nd gear (and only second gear). The noise is pretty hard to describe, but the best i can do is like a "clunk" noise, and it can be felt all throughout the car. It is definitely not any linkage noise because it only happens right when 2nd is engaged. Sorry if that wasn't very descriptive haha hope you can help!

 

[solidtrance]

How long have you had the car?

Is this your first manual trans? (your desc is pretty good so I don't think so)

How many miles on the car?

Does the noise persist when up and down shifting?

Any grinding noises?

I'm not the most knowlegale when it comes to trans issues, but this info may help diagnose the problem.

The trans in the 8 deffinately has a very "sure" and "engaged" feel. More so than any other car I have ever driven.

 

[codyrx8]

actually it is my first stick car haha. but yes. the slamming only happens when up shifting TO 2nd, however, when downshifting to 2nd seems to grind a little before engaging, that is the only time i feel any sort of grinding. Is it possible that 2nd gear was trashed from the previous owner? or is this normal? oh yeah, once i am in second, the car runs fine, mesh and everything seems fine, doesn't fall out of gear or anything. Thanks for the help

 

[solidtrance]

Hope this helps

Sounds like it could be a synchro issue, but I think it will go away as you get use to the car. Try this when switching from first to second, or for any gear change really.

1. depress the clutch all the way, not just past the enganement point but all the way to the floor. let off the gas too.
2. put the car in neutral, that stop in between first and second.
3. pause in neutral for half a second, keeping the clutch on the floor.
4. put the car in second gear.
5. let the clutch out and get back on the gas.

Try this in a parking lot a few times and you should be able to get pretty smooth. You will also be able to do it faster as you get use to this method.

Don't skip step 3. Most people do, and though it is faster to skip it, you are wearing out your trans faster than you have to.

My uncle taught me this method when I was 16. He really pounded it into my head, and I was motivated by the possibility of driving his 64 356 SC if I got it just right. I don't have any data to back up what I am saying but to date I have never had any transmission issues with any car I have owned (all manual shift for me too).

 

[codyrx8]

thanks for the hep man. but im a little confused by your description haha. are you saying skip 1st gear? or just work on letting the car sit in neutral before shifting? sorry

 

[justanothermp5]

he's saying to double clutch
ur in first, shift from first to neutral, let the clutch out, push it back in, then shift into 2nd

 

[Rix6]

he's saying to double clutch
ur in first, shift from first to neutral, let the clutch out, push it back in, then shift into 2nd

He is not saying to double clutch, he is merely saying pause in neutral for a half second (to allow input shaft/clutch to slow down) then complete the shift to second. Not bad advice, but the time in neutral should not always be a half second. It depends on how high you revved in 1st gear and how long it takes for the RPMs to fall.

 

[justanothermp5]

oh, didnt read #3
either way will work

 

[StealthWyvern]

eh,i just read it as shift a lot slower myself.

 

[solidtrance]

he's saying to double clutch
ur in first, shift from first to neutral, let the clutch out, push it back in, then shift into 2nd

Sort of, just keep the clutch down the whole time.

Not bad advice, but the time in neutral should not always be a half second.

Also true. Time will go down as you get more smooth with the process.

eh,i just read it as shift a lot slower myself.

Thats the basic idea, but by pausing in neutral you are giving the transmission a chance to do its job.

 

[codyrx8]

thanks guys. but yeah thats the problem. i even tried leaving the clutch on the floor for 5 seconds before shifting. then 5 seconds after shifting, then letting the clutch out. same problem