I know I should do a search, but I have been relegated to the local library for internet access because I am unable to get anything worthwhile out in BFE. Here at the library, I'm only allowed 15 minutes of internet time a day.

My GS-R has suddenly become very hard to shift. It's a manual and the problem appeared out of the blue. I really notice the problem when I need to down shift. The weird part is that it shifts just fine when the car isn't moving. I've had one mechanic tell me it's the clutch and another say it's the synchros in my tranny. I was hoping that somebody here had experienced this in the past and could help me out.

I did take it to our local transmission place and they told me that they no longer fix "Hondos or Teeotas". Man I hate this place

 

sorry to tell you but my friend had the same situation with his civic. But then again he drives his car hard (i dont know what kind of driver you are)

It's your tranny.

Does it grind when you try to put it in gear? You also might be low on your fluids.

 

Im having the same problems. I know for sure my clutch is going cause its making noise and not grabbing well anymore but i haven't found out if i have a tranny problem too. If i rev match i can get it to downshift.

 

When is the last time you changed your tranny fluid? Does it make a difference if it is cold or not?

 

its probably not your tranny. Can you give a more accurate description of the problem?

If the problem suddenly occured chances are its the clutch. A number of things could have happened such as one of the buffer springs coming loose and getting stuck inbetween the pressure plate and the clutch, the pressure plate breaking (not likely).

Try rev matching your downshifts from now on, if it gets really bad you can still shift without using the clutch but you have to shift slowly and know how to rev match well.

If you are not going to do the work on it they have to drop the clutch ANYWAY to take a look at the tranny....so may as well look at the clutch as the problem. If the tranny is bad just replace it. Its probably not the tranny.

 

From your description it sounds just like the problem I was having. I replaced my clutch and flywheel and the problem was solved.

 

Check clutch pedal freeplay!!!(general rule of thumb 1-1.5") As the clutch wears, free play increases sometimes causing the clutch not to fully disengage.


You only have the problem when down shifting? Do you feel a bump before the goes in all the way. The syncro's have "dog teeth" that need to cut between the oil, if it doesn't grind, then you have worn teeth or old tranny fluid which isn't moving around freely. Mostly, I knowtice the problem wit first and second when i am shifting at high rpm. A clutch that does not disenage fully would cause grinding sometimes but not always.

 

I went to a mechanic and he said it wasn't my clutch. He recommended that I put some stuff called "equa-torque" in my tranny. I did so and about a week later all is good again. It's just a lubricant that I mixed with my tranny oil.

Thanks for the reply guys. I certainly appreciate it.