I've read a couple posts about the 2nd gear grind but its hard to get a clear answer because I've done all the maint that people say to do. I have Honda MTF with 1000 miles on it, I replaced my CMC because it was leaking and adjusted the freeplay, also flushed and bled, rebuilt and regreased the shifter... I've grinded 2nd and only 2nd a few times within 1000 miles. The past 2 grinds have been at the end of long drives and usually after I accel pretty decently in first up to like 6k.. So idk what to try, maybe a different brand tranny fluid? LHT likes Royal Purple I could give it a shot perhaps. Any thoughts?

MY01, 36k miles

 

They changed syncros in the box for this reason in later S2000,your oil is correct.

 

How much freeplay did you set in the pedal?

Are you pushing the clutch FULLY down before shifting?

If your freeplay settings and driving habits are OK...then your synchros may just be worn out. Or you may have a clutch issue.

While there are a million choices, Honda MTF is the correct fluid. If you're having issues with correct settings, correct driving, and correct fluid, then using a different fluid may put a bandaid on synchro issues...but a bandaid isn't a cure.

Have someone determine whether the 2nd gear synchro is worn and needs replacement, or if something else is to blame...like a dragging clutch disc.

Banging gears at high RPM or skip shifting are all things that wear synchros. Maybe the car was driven too roughly in the past.

 

I can say that once I noticed the wear on my 2-3 synchro on track, no oil change made any difference so I am just dealing with it (slowing the 2-3 shift down just a tad) for now until I find a decent replacement transmission. I tried the magical GM Synchromesh stuff which if anything made the issue worse. I even tried some Lucas friction modifier that some have tried and said worked with zero change. Running redline at the moment, also did not affect the synchro issue at all. So if it is really a worn synchro I would not expect oils to help much. Your results may vary

 

I found that the Amsoil MTF helped it with my S2000, my 2nd great issue often happened when cold, and Amsoil shifted much better when it was cold.

 

Changing to different brand of fluid is difficult to asses. Like new tires, you're always comparing something worn out with something new.

Advice, make sure pedal is pressed to floor before you even take shift hand off wheel.

Also, press clutch with gusto. Our clutches like to hang, which can cause synchro grind.

Sometimes its old, dried up grease on release bearing, release bearing guide. Or wrong grease used. Or a damaged release guide, so release bearing can't slide smoothly.

So a forceful pedal press can sometimes overcome these factors using momentum. Allows more travel, full clutch disengagement.

Lastly, as already mentioned, are you sure you adjusted clutch rod properly? Many people think you need a lot more play than you actually do. Spec is just .25"

 

I followed DIYGuys YouTube video on setting the freeplay, basically right when you encounter resistance you tighten back up the nut

 

Yeah, see I notice a lot of people had a grind when cold but all my grinds have come when my car has been driving and warm

 

Well it helped with all shifting, particularly when cold, but even hot.

One thing with the S2000 is that my hand was always faster than my left foot, with the shifter being so close to your right arm I sometimes found myself shifting too fast, before my left foot would get the clutch disengaged fully. Tightening up the clutch rod free play helped a bit with that issue. It caused me to think about every shift a bit too much. My grinds were infrequent, and sometimes caused by my shifting . I also got a few when doing low rpm granny shifts, also a driver issue more than the tranny.

 

I asked a similar question 10 years ago and was advised to not shift from low to 2d gear until the tach hits at least 4300 rpm (which is 20-21mph). I was sure they were targeting the new guy but I tried it and it works. Royal Purple MTF has been in my gearbox for years. Wasn't aware LHT also liked it until a couple years ago. Seems the gearbox shifts better immediately after an oil change regardless of what MTF goes in. Take your pick.

-- Chuck