My 2002 always needs a fully depress the clutch pedal to avoid a grind from first into second gear at any engine speed above 4000 rpm. But now I am having trouble avoiding the grind when I do a first to second shift after winding out first to 8 or 9 k. I am going to change out the tranny fluid with GM synchro FM, but I was wondering if any of you have experienced the grind to this degree and if a fluid change helped at all. If not, what did you do to solve the problem?

 

Clutch fluid change, and clutch rod adjustment is the best easy fix.

 

I did them both Bill. the adjustment seems fine with a bit of play at the very top. Current fluid has about 10,000 miles on it.

 

Change the mtf. That always helps. I would recommend the new honda mtf. The old stuff always seemed to go to crap after a couple thousand miles. As for the gm friction modified it was still garbage in my car!

 

Wow, no kidding. I heard great things about it. Since I already bought it, I'm going to give it a try. I can always drain it out and get the Honda stuff if the grind is still there.

Did you notice the grind more with the engine hot or cold? Mine was grinding badly after a very long drive.

 

I recently changed to the "new" MTF, LE 607 in the differential and AMSOIL 10-30 engine oil. My initial feedback is that the whole drive train is smoother throughout the RPM range. Shifting is smoother with no grind noticed. Overall the car feels tighter going down the road. More willing to rev and smoother doing it.

 

Youre simptoms sound exactly like mine. Bad second gear grind after a long drive. The gm stuff is good for a little while and then turns to shit rather quickly atleast for me. Ive had the new honda mtf in now all summer and ive never had a grind since!

 

Slightly off topic...what is the replacement interval for clutch fluid under the "normal" maintenance schedule? I don't have my manual with me.

Thanks!

 

^^ everytime you replace the clutch? iono thats what im gonna do.

i usually get second gear grind when the tranny is sorta cold like i havent driven it much yet.

having a heavier shift knob helps you not feel it. haha

 

Yeah, the fact that it grinds when hot tells me the oil is doing something wrong. If it ground when cold, I'd say the oil is just too thick and not allowing the synchros to spin.