grinding into 2nd gear. Clutch?

[doobieinmyscoobie]

im experiencing some grinding when I go into gear on my Legacy. To avoid this, I have to let the revs drop a little and sort of delay the shift into Second gear. It only happens going into second, but I figure that is because that shift is usually the most aggressive. Im hoping its not a transmission issue. My optimistic side thinks that it is a hydraulic pressure issue in the clutch and it is leaving it engaged as I try to shift.

[skippymo]

yea i would think it is the clutch first. i broke my throw-out lever and it acted the same way (limited clutch travel). when was the clutch changed last? when was it bled? how does it feel, spongy? firm?

[ShadowGT]

im experiencing some grinding when I go into gear on my Legacy. To avoid this, I have to let the revs drop a little and sort of delay the shift into Second gear. It only happens going into second, but I figure that is because that shift is usually the most aggressive. Im hoping its not a transmission issue. My optimistic side thinks that it is a hydraulic pressure issue in the clutch and it is leaving it engaged as I try to shift.

Could be the slave cylinder needing to bled or replaced. Seems like you're not getting proper clutch engagement.

[ouch1011]

I would start by replacing the trans fluid.

[mike-tracy]

Sounds like a worn out 2nd gear syncro. There are all kinds of oils that can extend the life of the tranny. Subaru sells "Special S," though not by the quart. Redline makes Shockproof, Motul makes Gear 300, etc, etc. I personally tried 1 qt of Motul Gear 300, and ~2.7qts of Redline Lightweight Shockproof as recommend by Andrewtech. Took about a month before I started feeling a difference - the "clinking" going into 3rd has dramatically lessoned, and reverse almost never grinds.

There's no way a fluid is going to rebuild worn out parts, but they can help smooth out the shifts and prolong their life.

[doobieinmyscoobie]

yea i would think it is the clutch first. i broke my throw-out lever and it acted the same way (limited clutch travel). when was the clutch changed last? when was it bled? how does it feel, spongy? firm?
bought the Legacy with 75k, think it's the stock clutch. probably never been bled but doesnt feel like it needs to. pedal is pretty firm.

Sounds like a worn out 2nd gear syncro. There are all kinds of oils that can extend the life of the tranny. Subaru sells "Special S," though not by the quart. Redline makes Shockproof, Motul makes Gear 300, etc, etc. I personally tried 1 qt of Motul Gear 300, and ~2.7qts of Redline Lightweight Shockproof as recommend by Andrewtech. Took about a month before I started feeling a difference - the "clinking" going into 3rd has dramatically lessoned, and reverse almost never grinds.

There's no way a fluid is going to rebuild worn out parts, but they can help smooth out the shifts and prolong their life.
i think your right. i took a ride with a mechanic friend and he thinks it is the second gear synchro or gear, maybe both. i think the fact that it is only happening into second cancels out any possibility of it being a bad clutch or master slave etc. also whats the point of doing that sort of homebrew mix on the trans fluid?

[$400OBW]

I agree with Mike-Tracey sounds like the 2nd gear syncro....Have read some posts about the Subaru Extra-S helping, especially during the winter. Probably won't fix it but might help get a few more miles out of it.

Do a search on Subaru Extra-S, most everything I read was positive.

[doobieinmyscoobie]

will driving on a bad synchro do more damage to anything else? maybe i should just get it rebuilt, then change the fluid.

[ouch1011]

It won't damage anything, it will just get progressively worse.

[d1giPhux]

yup.. id say synchro gear in 2nd as well. Mine does it in 5th, has been doing it since i bought the car years ago, and it still works fine. You will just feel minor grinding when going into that gear and if you dont fully push the clutch all the way to the floor and give it time before shifting.

[skippymo]

sorry i can't read i thought it was for all gears. yea synchro...mine too 2nd and 3rd if im aggressive.

[anothernord]

2nd gear syncro. This problem is very common. Put some new gear oil in before you go replacing the whole thing.

[jey]

will driving on a bad synchro do more damage to anything else? maybe i should just get it rebuilt, then change the fluid.

Nope, just baby it and give it time to sync up with you shift into 2nd. You could also rev-match and double-clutch while down-shifting - makes for a fast, smooth shift even if your syncros are all worn out.