Hello everyone. I have a 2001 ap1 with 112000 miles and I have a problem. When sitting still and at idle it is nearly impossible to get into first gear. If I'm moving or rev it up it helps but its still hard to go in. Second gear does it as well but not quite as bad. Is this a synchro failure or clutch related? All other gears seem to go in smoothly and I changed the transmission fluid last winter with amsoil synchromesh fluid. Not sure what to do so if anyone could help me I would appreciate it. Also how hard is it to replace synchros yourself. Do they just kinda slide on or what?

 

Check to see if your clutch fluid is filled first thing especially if you have not replaced the clutch master cylinder. Step two would be to replace the transmission fluid. Then report back.

 

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Replacing the synchros is a major overhaul procedure.

 

Dragging clutch disc almost guaranteed.

It is very rare for syncros to be an issue.

 

As in not disengaging all the way?

 

Another tell-tale of clutch hydraulic issues is fluid behind the carpet under the clutch pedal.

 

Allright I checked my clutch fluid and its completely full. Also it seems to be going in gear slightly better now! I mean it still sucks and dont wanna go in but maybe it works better when the tranny is cold? Also I put it in first, held the clutch and revved it to 7ish and the car didnt move so that means its not a dragging clutch right?

 

You may have air in the system, either pump the pedal with the car off like 100 times or bleed it. Should help a bit.

 

What do you feel when you press the clutch pedal?
When do you feel the resistance build up?
To get a good idea of what's going on at the pedal when it comes to free-play you can sit next to the car and push the pedal with your hands while looking at the pedal and linkage.
You can see the pushrod that goes into the master too.
Even with a full reservoir (btw.. what color is the fluid?.. if its black = change it) but with too much free-play you can not fully disengage the clutch.
Can you get the full pedal stroke?
And no funny noises from the clutch itself when you disenage it (may be a sign something's wrong with the friction disk restricting the stroke, has happened before)

 

Well the clutch pedal might move a little bit before it gets stiffer and yeah the fluid is black. So do you think a simple fluid change would fix it?