When I shift from neutral to first while at a stop, I sometimes get a "clunk" (for lack of a better term). It's not a grind -- it actually feels like the drivetrain is being jolted. Whenever this happens, it seems like the car even jumps forward just a little bit. This happens maybe 1 out of every 10 to 20 times I shift into first from neutral. And yes, the clutch is fully depressed.

Anyone else have this problem? It happens enough to bother me, but I'm afraid it's not regular enough to get a dealer's attention.

 

me too....when I talked to Honda service dpt...they said it was common....make sure you mention it to your dealer and that they take note of it in the computer just in case...know what I mean??

 

Hi Guys:

I have felt this too. It is completely normal and would not happen if you hesitated for a few seconds before putting it in gear, or started the car and didn't take your foot off of the clutch when you put it in gear.

Follow me through these steps in your mind.

The engine is running, the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in neutral. That means that the Main Shaft of the tranmsission is turning at the same speed as the engine.

When you push in the clutch the main shaft is still spinning at about 800 to 1100 RPM. The main shaft weight is about 16 lbs. (maybe 18, I checked the weight a long time ago).
When you push it into gear you are making the countershaft (which is connected to the rear wheels) stop the mainshaft using the synchros. The energy is transmitted through the countershaft to the driveshaft and to the differential, all of which have a little bit of play, thus, the clunk in the driveline.

If you hesitate about 20 to 30 seconds before putting it into gear, the mainshaft does have time to slow down and you won't get the clunk.

HTH,

Woodwork

 

I also have this problem as i'm sure many others do as well... You can notice an associated problem when the car is decelerating in 3rd or 2nd gear, it will be difficult to pull the stick shift out of gear even tho the clutch is fully depressed.

I believe the cause of this is contaminated or missing grease on the main transmission input shaft. This shaft is splined and the clutch disk should be able to move freely forward and backward on the splines when the clutch is depressed. The clutch disk is sandwiched between the flywheel and pressure plate when the clutch is released and it should float between the two when the clutch is depressed. I think what is happening is that when the clutch is depressed and the pressure plate is moved away from the clutch disk, the disk is not moving back at all and remains in contact with the flywheel. Tho the disk is not locked in rotation with the flywheel it is rubbing up against it and some torque is being applied to the disk and causing the transmission to be partially loaded with the clutch depressed.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

The same thing happens with my car. I think it is common, but if it gets any worse on mine then I am going to take it to the dealer.

 

Woodwork, I'm sure what you mention plays a roll in what we are experiencing but i dont think it fully explains why the stick shift is dificult to return to neutral during extended engine decel in 2nd or 3rd gear. In other words "Engine braking with the clutch fully depressed". Indeed, when this is occuring and the clutch is fully depressed i can give the engine a "little" bit of gas and the car will actually start to accelerate!! With the clutch fully depressed!! If i give it more than a "little" bit of gas the engine will break free of the clutch stickyness and the car will coast instead of accelerate.

 

very common problem. i had it do that in my Integra GSR 1999 also.
sometimes it doesnt do it, sometimes it does... as long as it doesnt make any noise its ok.

 

I get this clunk noise also, everytime. The only thing I have to add is if you try putting it into neutral after the clunk noise and re-engage into first without letting the clutch pedal go you won't hear this clunk. But if release the clutch pedal and try putting it into first again the clunk will come back.

 

I get this clunk sound ocassionally too. Even when I'm at a complete stop an not rolling, I'll still get this sound. From what Woodwork says, it sounds like it's normal.

 

mister_two:

What Woodwork says explains it well: Once you put it in gear the synchros have done their job at matching the gear/shaft speeds, so if you try it again, everything is already speed matched.

This is quite normal unless the clutch is dragging. Sometimes synthetic tranny oil can make this worse. As long as it goes away if you wait a few seconds between pushing in the clutch and trying to put it in gear, I wouldn't worry.