CruelNewb

I have difficulty on corners from 1st to 2nd even on full clutch. It seems to be hard to put it in to 2nd....3rd,4rth and up I dont have that issue. I tried releasing the clutch slower but it didn't help much. It's little tougher putting it in 1st 2nd gear than any other gear even on full clutch. Any ideas?

Tresch

It's hard to say without actually driving your specific car.. because "tougher" can mean something different for everyone

Is this your first manual transmission car? 1st to 2nd is generally tougher on any manual transmission, because the different in gear ratios is greatest between these two gears, so the rotational speed difference is greatest between the two, so it takes longer for the synchros to get the shift collar to the right speed for the next gear. This is probably exaggerated on the rx8.. since the high redline calls for different gear ratio spacing then on hormal vehicles, causing a larger gap between first and second.

My recommendation? Don't force it! unless you have the timing and pressure down just right on your throttle and clutch, trying to force it into the next gear isn't going to get you anywhere much faster than just sliding it into place. Doesn't take much pressure on the shifter, just pull it back and be patient, you'll hit one stop, which is the synchros engaging.. just keep pulling back and after a moment the shift puck will be up to speed and it will automatically drop into the gear. The key is consistant pressure and follow through, not brute force.

(i don't think I explained this very well. .but it's late.. sorry, heh)

nk_Rx8

I don't know the cause, but I know what he is talking about. I felt it during a testdrive. There were times that I couldn't get into 2nd and I wasn't sure why. I am used to using the smooth shifters of Hondas for years, and there was definetly something to that 1-2 shift that isn't as smooth as the other shifts like 2-3 or 3-4.

spdspappy

I notice a difference going into second from 3rd or 4th. When I'm downshifting into any other gear, it's smooth, but it just feels different shifting into 2nd.

8_wannabe

there are other threads on this, so you're not the first to mention it. Search around for them. I, for one, have no such problem. Strange....

CruelNewb

Manual Tranny: I think I found out why, when Im in first gear I take it up to 4k-4.5k RPM then shift to 2nd it doesnt give me a hard time as when I shifted at 3.5k RPM. I guess its much smoother when you hit higher rpm. The speed factor makes a big difference too, when Im at 18-20+ MPH 2nd is much easier. I used to change it at 15 up becoz at 3.5 RPM its usually at that speed.

8_wannabe

I got into the habit of shifting at 3K for each gear back when I was trying to conserve fuel. I think in the end it doesn't much matter with regards to gas consumption. If I'm really accelerating I'll run it up to 5K or 5500 and shift straight from 1st to 3rd to 5th. I'm finding this needs some practice; my shifts aren't smooth when I skip gears but I'm working on it.

Lock & Load

Cruel Newb

You mentioned you have difficulty changing gears from 1st to 2nd even in corners with the clucth all the way in .

I always try if possible to change gears on the straigh parts of the roads definetely not in corners or in rounabouts , not a good havit to get in to IMHO.

You may encounter less problems if you change gears on the straights , best of luck.

emailists

I too at many times find getting into 2nd to be strange- then other times it's fine- going from N to 2nd is always fine. I'll have a new 8 soon, so I can post back any differences I have noted.

Racer X-8

I've tried twice now, first gear up to ~ redline - full throttle, then quickly trying to shift into 2nd gear. You know, like drag racing.

Both times, it wouldn't go into 2nd gear. The first time, I just kept the clutch in & just coasted while I was out of a gear. The second time I was really not ready for the lack of engagement & wound up grinding when I let it out.

Whatup wit dat? I had some stuff in the way of my elbow (cup in the cupholder), so maybe that's what messed me up.

Just thought I'd throw this out to see if I'm the only one recently with such bad luck as this. I don't want to grind another pound...

edit: Oh yeah, lack of MT experience is not a factor with me.

Speed Racer

I had similar problems and they continued to get worse until I couldn't get the car into any gear. It turned out that the clutch was fried. If you want the full scoop head on over to this thread.

sferrett

The only time I've had trouble shifting is from 1st to 2nd after winding it out in first just as you described. Of the three times this has happened, I've always ended up with a grind into second - it's like the stick gets rejected by the gate into 2nd almost like the clutch didn't disengage fast enough or something. The clutch engagement point on the '8 is quite a bit closer to the floor than the other cars I'd be likely to perform such a maneuver (an rx7) and I chalked it up to that (ie: releasing the clutch too soon, just prior to it being fulling in 2nd), but I will have to try it again and see if it's really something mechanical or just me.

Simon.

Racer X-8

OK, right on. Sounds like it's not just us or our cars in particular.

Eccles had this problem & I quote, from another thead, "Yeah, when snap-shifting 1-2 at the redline, make sure you give that lever a good hard tug to make sure you've engaged the whole gear, not just the synchros!"

Others I think have described this problem too.

I know I jammed it hard the second time. The shift **** even got loose on that one.

Let's try some more (carefully, I'm gonna be ready for failure from now on, till it's figured out)...

________________________________
edit: In respect to the originator of this thread, this has nothing to do at all with cornering. Don't mean to hijack your thread, but your title fits this different problem as well.

I hope Speed Racer hasn't hit on your problem, but I would be very concerned as to whether or not he did. Get it checked ASAP!

Digisan

My car does the same in first gear;take to the redline and drop it into second and and grind, grind, grind. I thought I missed a gear (2nds kinda tought to screw up), but I tried it again, same thing.

D-san

Racer X-8

OK guy, I hear ya.

Me
Eccles
sferrett
Digisan
B-Nez (in the post following this one)(To answer; It sure does! Total embarassment!)

That's 5 who know this to be a problem. Who else?

nk_Rx8 post above might be it also, not sure...

B-Nez

Yeah, I've been grinding 2nd way more than usual the last couple of days. I must have ground it 3 or 4 times today. I'm at about 4500 miles now. It sure does make you feel stupid, eh?

Speed Racer

You can add my name to that list and the problem has been resolved by replacing the clutch.

B-Nez

I went to return a video last night, and checked it out. This is how MY CAR feels:
At high rpms, 2nd gear feels like it "snaps" into gear*. If it doesn't snap, it ain't in, and it'll grind. At low rpms, it flumps in just like the other gears.

* by snap, I mean it literally feels like a snap on a pair of trousers or a jacket.

ZoominRex

This is not good to hear. My friend and I took the car around for a pretty spirited drive last night and I was trying to chirp through the gears but it would not engage into second. Of course he haggled me about mis-shifting until he got in the drivers seat and did the same thing. It only happens on hard launches between first and second though. When I chirp from 2nd to 3rd there is no such problem. I haven't experienced this on downshifting either. It only occurs when shifting between 1st and 2nd at close to redline with the gas still down. Do I hear another recall?

Racer X-8

Whoa! Replaced the clutch? What was wrong with the original? Surely it wasn't worn out already. (?) You have further info on this?


B-Nez - good description about snapping.

Mine's been slumbering since we got home from Florida Sunday night. It's not my daily driver & I've been real busy since. Tonight & tomorrow is booked too. I'm definitely gonna do some hot runs this weekend. Then I'll know if mine snaps-in too...


The list is growing rapidly...starting to think it's everybody that's read this & have tried...ZoominRex & Speed Racer, consider yourselves on it. That makes 7 definitey & Speed Racer fixed his with a new clutch.

Speed Racer

I had the same problems of unexplainable missed shifts, difficulty engaging gears, quiet metalic rattle around 5k RPMs, and a couple of times the clutch pedal got stuck half way through its travel. If I remember correctly these problems started to show up around 1,500-2,000 miles. At first they were very infrequent but as I racked up the miles they happened more often and become more noticeable. At 7,000 miles the problems became persistant and eventually left me stranded because I could not get the car in gear.

After two trips to the dealer they replaced the clutch under warranty. I asked to see the old parts and I was a little surprised by what I saw. The clutch had obviously been overheated. The metal was discolored and the springs were loose (5k RPM rattle). The only explantion they could offer was customer abuse but I'm a bit perplexed by that because I have driven all of my past cars just as hard (if not harder) and have never had a clutch fail before 60k miles. I also find it a bit odd that there are other people (with low mileage) complaining about the same problems that led up to my clutch failure. Hopefully my case was isolated but I guess only time will tell.

Original thread

Racer X-8

OK, thanks brother. (You knew Racer X is Speed Racer's brother, didn't you?)

Definitely looks fried. Am I seeing heavy wear right on the O.D.?

I'm not having any problem shifting, except for the two times I tried hot-doggin' it. Is that how it started with you?

Speed Racer

Hey bro,
I think the extra wear on the edge of the clutch came from the pressure plate being tipped (two of the four tension springs where shot). It is amazing what a little heat can do!

My problems started out slowly too and really were nothing more than a minor nuissance until the last 500 miles.

ZoominRex

I don't experience it either unless I am powershifting through the gears. I really hope it doesn't get worse. Any other symptoms to look out for besides the metallic rattling?

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

My car also needs to be shifted into 2nd sometimes with a good amount of brute force... i've never had the gear grind though. Because of this, I've gotten in the habit of only beating the car from 2nd gear up - makes me feel safer.