clutch 2nd gear grinding

Old Coot · 09-18-2008, 05:03 PM

What is the problem with this, 2nd Gear Grinding. I have heard other mr2 owners mention it,,well mine started doing it,,,only second gear...let it idle down and it goes in fine
but in normal driving, if you don't let it idle down it's gonna grind,,solutions, Anyone?

91 MK2 N/A

Fubba · 10-01-2008, 12:40 PM

I was talking to a fellow 2 owner about this the other day. He said it is a toyota thing. as the cars get older the syncros start to go. He told me to keep it in mind and if it gets worse then think about replacing the syncro.

MR2 Drifter · 10-02-2008, 10:58 PM

I think I have a bad reverse synchro, does anyone know what a transmission shop charges to replace them???

Mr2 Sam · 10-04-2008, 03:43 AM

As long as it still goes into reverse I wouldn't bother, i'd imagine it wouldn't be worth it. It's not like you need reverse to handle high rev gear changes or anything :P

kim0663 · 10-04-2008, 06:38 AM

reverse gears don't have syncros. if your reverse crunches, its a sign that your clutch has problems and it is not completely dis-engaging.

Possibly may be fixed by adjusting clutch and if thats not working/not an option, you will soon realise you need a new clutch as its starting to slip

MR2 Drifter · 10-04-2008, 06:41 AM

Reverse gears don't have syncros.... I didn't know that...

When I put my car into reverse sometimes it gets stuck and I have to wiggle it out of reverse

I had changed the clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel and it still did it
so it's probably a crappy trans (i'm going to buy a new one soon)

Old Coot · 10-04-2008, 10:37 AM

If it came down to replacing transmission what are good transmissions that will work on the 5s-Fe engine?? mine is straight drive

mr2pwner · 03-17-2009, 08:55 PM

I'm having the same problem too. 91 na, 2nd gear, and I've only had the car a month. I usually take it up to 3000rpm and shift, but for about the last two weeks I've had to let it come back down to almost an idle to get it to shift into 2nd from 1st without grinding. This is humiliating in traffic.

Anyways, I need suggestions on how to tackle this. Change tranny fluid? Can I get the synchros fixed? Do I need a new tranny? Is it the linkage? How much would each of these cost to repair? Know of anyone in the Tampa Bay area that is an expert with these 2s?

killermillermr2 · 03-17-2009, 09:05 PM

This must be common. My 91 N/A does the same 2nd gear grind.

Gairloch · 03-18-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr2pwner

I'm having the same problem too. 91 na, 2nd gear, and I've only had the car a month. I usually take it up to 3000rpm and shift, but for about the last two weeks I've had to let it come back down to almost an idle to get it to shift into 2nd from 1st without grinding. This is humiliating in traffic.

Anyways, I need suggestions on how to tackle this. Change tranny fluid? Can I get the synchros fixed? Do I need a new tranny? Is it the linkage? How much would each of these cost to repair? Know of anyone in the Tampa Bay area that is an expert with these 2s?

First, you're lugging the engine. You're just getting into the power band at 3000 rpm and it will make power up to 5250rpm.

Some people have reported that using a fluid like Red Line MT-90 or Penzzoil/GM Synchromesh have reduced grinding. I tried that and it did nothing for my transmission so I learned how to double clutch until I put a new(used) transmission into my car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killermillermr2

This must be common. My 91 N/A does the same 2nd gear grind.

This is extremely common and comes up a couple times a year.

GENESIS · 03-18-2009, 03:09 AM

man im having the same issue to with my 2nd gear grinding,it just started yesterday,it grinds when i downshift to 2nd from third more than shifting up from 1st to second,Im doing a tranny flush tomorrow hopefully that might help a bit especially when my mileage is pushing 200k.does anyone know the gear oil capacity for the na

grizzy225 · 03-18-2009, 10:41 AM

mine grinds when i down shift from 5th...

ill try the things you guys mentioned eventually

good read

MR2 Drifter · 03-18-2009, 11:42 AM

I got a newer trans with less miles, when I was breaking it in it didn't want to grab 2nd until I let the rpms go down to around 2k, then I just started redlining it on 2nd and eventually 2nd started grabbing again and all my gears shift good and smooth

fvillota · 03-18-2009, 11:48 AM

yea mt car grinds 2nd if the rpms are above 3k. im gonna do a full tuneup one of these days and change the tranny oil along with everything else too see what happens
it started doing it like 2 days ago.

Gairloch · 03-18-2009, 01:02 PM

Double clutch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GENESIS · 03-18-2009, 03:17 PM

already tried that,my 2nd gear grinds at any rpm,Im going to find out today if it still grinds after the flush,I have had this problem on all 5 out of 6 mr2 i had exept for my old jspec with BnM shifter.

328FTW · 03-18-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gairloch

Double clutch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

THIS^

I do it on my mkI since 2nd has no syncro left anymore, if I'm driving hard I just ignore the grinding sound and rip it though anyway.

GENESIS · 03-18-2009, 06:43 PM

I just finished flushing the tranny fluid,I noticed that the gear oil was ultra black for a non-
combustion fluid wow and was low by a half a quart,For about 30 miles now its been shifting allot smoother and i haven't been hearing any grinds yet so hopefully it will stay that way,im expecting the grinds to come back ,the fact that the owner before me or the original owner didn't keep the car up to standards is considered foul.By the way I used 80w-90 super-tech maybe that might help.

93MR2 · 03-18-2009, 07:18 PM

My S54 grinds in second too. It happens most often at low rpms though. Ususally notice it when trying to maneuver in a parking lot.

Just got some Redline MT-90 and will replace the fluid soon. Hopefully it helps some.

Jason.MZW20 · 03-18-2009, 11:33 PM

Worn synchros.

You have to realize that the 90-92 S54 has single cone synchros on 1st-5th, with no synchro on reverse (which is why it helps to shift into 1st then reverse to avoid grinding). You have to expect some wear over 18-19 years.

The 93+ S54 has a double cone synchro on 2nd and 5th gear, single on the rest except reverse. Toyota addressed the problem gears: 2nd gear grind and 5th gear pop-outs.

09-18-2008, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Old Coot Old,Wore Out and Sassy Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	clutch 2nd gear grinding What is the problem with this, 2nd Gear Grinding. I have heard other mr2 owners mention it,,well mine started doing it,,,only second gear...let it idle down and it goes in fine but in normal driving, if you don't let it idle down it's gonna grind,,solutions, Anyone? 91 MK2 N/A Last edited by Old Coot; 09-18-2008 at 05:12 PM..

10-04-2008, 10:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Old Coot Old,Wore Out and Sassy Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 18 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	If it came down to replacing transmission what are good transmissions that will work on the 5s-Fe engine?? mine is straight drive Last edited by Old Coot; 10-04-2008 at 11:20 AM..

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10-01-2008, 12:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Fubba Cage Fighter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Fort Collins CO Posts: 170 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I was talking to a fellow 2 owner about this the other day. He said it is a toyota thing. as the cars get older the syncros start to go. He told me to keep it in mind and if it gets worse then think about replacing the syncro.

10-02-2008, 10:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 948 Thanks: 3 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	I think I have a bad reverse synchro, does anyone know what a transmission shop charges to replace them???

10-04-2008, 03:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mr2 Sam No Skills Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	As long as it still goes into reverse I wouldn't bother, i'd imagine it wouldn't be worth it. It's not like you need reverse to handle high rev gear changes or anything :P

10-04-2008, 06:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
kim0663 MISTA2 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Zealand, Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	reverse gears don't have syncros. if your reverse crunches, its a sign that your clutch has problems and it is not completely dis-engaging. Possibly may be fixed by adjusting clutch and if thats not working/not an option, you will soon realise you need a new clutch as its starting to slip

10-04-2008, 06:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 948 Thanks: 3 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Reverse gears don't have syncros.... I didn't know that... When I put my car into reverse sometimes it gets stuck and I have to wiggle it out of reverse I had changed the clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel and it still did it so it's probably a crappy trans (i'm going to buy a new one soon)

03-17-2009, 08:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
mr2pwner i try hard Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Posts: 23 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I'm having the same problem too. 91 na, 2nd gear, and I've only had the car a month. I usually take it up to 3000rpm and shift, but for about the last two weeks I've had to let it come back down to almost an idle to get it to shift into 2nd from 1st without grinding. This is humiliating in traffic. Anyways, I need suggestions on how to tackle this. Change tranny fluid? Can I get the synchros fixed? Do I need a new tranny? Is it the linkage? How much would each of these cost to repair? Know of anyone in the Tampa Bay area that is an expert with these 2s?

03-17-2009, 09:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
killermillermr2 Honda Hunter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 864 Thanks: 25 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts iTrader Rating: (10/100% )	This must be common. My 91 N/A does the same 2nd gear grind.

03-18-2009, 03:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
GENESIS Gate keeper of Redwood rd Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: dublin,ca Posts: 778 Thanks: 4 Thanked 23 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	man im having the same issue to with my 2nd gear grinding,it just started yesterday,it grinds when i downshift to 2nd from third more than shifting up from 1st to second,Im doing a tranny flush tomorrow hopefully that might help a bit especially when my mileage is pushing 200k.does anyone know the gear oil capacity for the na

03-18-2009, 10:41 AM	#12 (permalink)
grizzy225 just because.... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT Posts: 641 Thanks: 48 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	mine grinds when i down shift from 5th... ill try the things you guys mentioned eventually good read

03-18-2009, 11:42 AM	#13 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 948 Thanks: 3 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	I got a newer trans with less miles, when I was breaking it in it didn't want to grab 2nd until I let the rpms go down to around 2k, then I just started redlining it on 2nd and eventually 2nd started grabbing again and all my gears shift good and smooth

03-18-2009, 11:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
fvillota Did you just press that? Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 2,538 Thanks: 73 Thanked 52 Times in 52 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	yea mt car grinds 2nd if the rpms are above 3k. im gonna do a full tuneup one of these days and change the tranny oil along with everything else too see what happens it started doing it like 2 days ago.

03-18-2009, 01:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,313 Thanks: 139 Thanked 296 Times in 264 Posts Blog Entries: 4 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Double clutch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

03-18-2009, 03:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
GENESIS Gate keeper of Redwood rd Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: dublin,ca Posts: 778 Thanks: 4 Thanked 23 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	already tried that,my 2nd gear grinds at any rpm,Im going to find out today if it still grinds after the flush,I have had this problem on all 5 out of 6 mr2 i had exept for my old jspec with BnM shifter.

03-18-2009, 06:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
GENESIS Gate keeper of Redwood rd Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: dublin,ca Posts: 778 Thanks: 4 Thanked 23 Times in 24 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	I just finished flushing the tranny fluid,I noticed that the gear oil was ultra black for a non- combustion fluid wow and was low by a half a quart,For about 30 miles now its been shifting allot smoother and i haven't been hearing any grinds yet so hopefully it will stay that way,im expecting the grinds to come back ,the fact that the owner before me or the original owner didn't keep the car up to standards is considered foul.By the way I used 80w-90 super-tech maybe that might help.

03-18-2009, 07:18 PM	#19 (permalink)
93MR2 Some Skills Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 99 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	My S54 grinds in second too. It happens most often at low rpms though. Ususally notice it when trying to maneuver in a parking lot. Just got some Redline MT-90 and will replace the fluid soon. Hopefully it helps some.

03-18-2009, 11:33 PM	#20 (permalink)
Jason.MZW20 Pig Snout Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Victorville, CA Posts: 1,370 Thanks: 15 Thanked 111 Times in 102 Posts Blog Entries: 6 iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Worn synchros. You have to realize that the 90-92 S54 has single cone synchros on 1st-5th, with no synchro on reverse (which is why it helps to shift into 1st then reverse to avoid grinding). You have to expect some wear over 18-19 years. The 93+ S54 has a double cone synchro on 2nd and 5th gear, single on the rest except reverse. Toyota addressed the problem gears: 2nd gear grind and 5th gear pop-outs.