Maybe it's just me, but it really feels like when I shift from 1->2 and 2->3 that the gears are grinding on my new 04 S2K. Is this a typical break-in issue? Has anyone else had this problem? The car has 400 miles on it, and I've checked to make sure that the clutch is fully depressed when I'm shifting and it still does it.

 

Mine feels a little "notchy" when shifting from first to second when it's the first shift of the day. But no grinding of gears. It's fine once the drivetrain is warmed up though. Have your dealer check the clutch adjustment and transmission oil level. You definitely have a problem that should be corrected soon.

 

hawkdog, make sure you are shifting after 5000RPMs or higher. I promise you will not experience any grinding if you shift anywhere above 5000RPMs. I drive an '03 and I had the same problems but now everything is OK.

 

It really is more of a notchy feel like you're describing. It's not actual gear grinding. It feels like it catches just a tiny bit when it's shifting. And it does go away after it warms up. I'll have to test out the whole shifting about 5000 RPM thing, but it seems weird that I should always have to shift above 5000??? Is the car really designed that way?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hawkdog
Maybe it's just me, but it really feels like when I shift from 1->2 and 2->3 that the gears are grinding on my new 04 S2K.

 

If it's notchy then that is normal I believe until the car/tranny warms up. Mine has been doing that since day one, once it warms up it's butter smooth. You should not be shifting at 5000rpms while the car is warming up.. Double clutching might help.

 

The notchiness is a result of the design demand that a redline of 9000 rpms puts on a car. Our car is also equiped with double synchros so that high reving shifts are easy to do.

What would you rather have? A notchy gear change when cold and low rpms or a possible mis-shift at 9 grand? Honda decided that a smooth shift at redline was more important.

It's like sport bike trannies. They are notchy unless you shift higher in the rpm band.

I know you can't rev to 9 but I keep saying 9 because I can and I have notchiness too.

 

My 1st -2nd shifts feel a little notchy as well but definately not grinding. 2nd to 3rd and so on are much smoother. I do find, though, that after driving the car for more than 1/2 hour that 1st to 2nd does get smoother. I only have 300 miles on mine so as far as I'm concerned the notchyness will be there until the car is thoroughly broken in. So don't worry.

 

Thanks for the help everyone...sounds like what I'm experiencing is normal. One thing though...I thought I remember seeing in the 2004 brochure that they changed the syncros on the MY04....is that correct?

 

yes, the synchros are Carbon Fiber now and take some time to warm up.