Third gear problem

[4giglz]

Hi all

I have a 2002 ES 5-spd that crunches going into third gear if I get in a hurry with the gear change. If I am nice to it, and shift slow, there is no crunch. All other gears are fine. I have heard through the grapevine that there is a design problem with the syncros on some of the cars, and I have also heard the shift forks are weak. Have I heard right on either account (or both)? I assume that a rebuild or replacement is a probability in the future, but does anyone have a bandaid that would help get a few extra miles out of it (outside of "shift slower stupid")? Anyone try the Kartboy shifter bushings? Would they help? Also, if a replacement or rebuild ends up being a must, any suggestions on what should be improved while it's appart? I have looked into swapping it for the MPS tranny for the LSD, but it's pretty cashy and someone told me the early LSD units were fragile and would break even under normal use. True? Sorry for all the questions, but I like to know all of my options before I do anything.

Thanks

 

[Bartron8000]

I had a friend with a 91 Civic with this problem, he found that the synchro was almost gone. His solution was doing tranny fluid changes every oil change. He said that the grind went somewhat away, he also double clutched into third and it almost went completely away. I have the same problem with my second, I just double clutch and it goes away most of the time. Hope some of that helps.

 

[4giglz]

Yeah, the fluid change helps for a while, but I have been running synthetic, and found out at the first change how bad an idea it is to change the thick fluid at 20 degrees. 4Qts almost 2 hrs. DUH.

Anyone else with tranny info? How about the MPS transaxle issues? I'm not opposed to the upgrade, but don't want to put in something that has a high likelyhood of breakage. Should I post a question on the MSP part of the forum?

 

[rickrock]

It is true that the LSD is pretty weak... But on normal use.. I don't think so. It usually gets killed when too much wheel hop gets in play. The solution is to weld it to reinforce the casting so it can stand more "agressiveness"... Like hard accelerations, intense gear changes...

See what it's like... (welded)

 

[4giglz]

I've heard about the revised LSD as being welded. This makes more sence to me now seeing what it looks like. Thanks rickrock!

Are there any revised units that left the factory that way, or is a repair situation? If some are that way from the get-go, how do I find out which ones are good? Is there a build date to look for or a serial number somewhere I can find that will tell me if it is revised as I look for a replacement for my non-LSD unit?

 

[SubXer0]

i had this same exact problem i believe it is the sychro thats bad for that gear and it will have to be replaced .....i just started shifting softly into 3rd and that worked for me.......

 

[Protege5 Driver]

i have a bunch of sincros and miscellaneous transmicion parts. pm me me if your interested

 

[Tom03es]

One way to get more miles out of it: rip 2nd gear out into the high RPMs and go to 4th. Can't grind a gear you're not using.