Dave W.

Is it just me, or does your car also shift slowly going from first to second gear? My car has always been slow to shift from 1 >2, and it takes a little extra effort. Shifting from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 is great, the effort is light and I can shift quickly. I just want to check since I plan to pull the trans this winter for some maintenance and I'm thinking about a trans syncro refresh while I'm in there.

Dougs951

Both of my cars are a little tight 1-2 shifting.

Have you done fluid recently?

Dave W.

Yes, I tried a few different oils. Swepco, Mobile 1 synthetic 75-90, and currently using Redline MT90. I'm tempted to try Redline MTL since it's thinner and shifted better on my other car, but I want to stick with thicker oil for better protection and lubrication.

arthropraxis

I think the shifting in my car is about as good as it is going to get. The transaxle has been recently rebuilt, the shifter has been modified with thrust bearings to take out any play, it has a short shifter linkage, the linkage anchor bar has been modified with a threaded bar and heim joint ends and it has new fluid. That said, there is still some resistance/hesitation between shifts, 1-2 more so than the others.

bumflick

It will grind if I try to rush it. On the street, I double clutch the 1 2 and the 2 3 shifts when cold.

morghen

The original gearbox in my 924 was absolutely fantastic, i could do "fast and furious" shifts even 1 to 2.
Changed it to 944S2 when upgraded the power, this one is not that good but still pretty good, about the same as my B5 Passat(very similar gearbox).

fejjj

No issues from 1-2 but car does not like to go into R when cold.

89 951

Butters944

My 1-2 shift likes to grind on me if I don't ease it in. It's not slow but I have to take my time.

KevinGross

Bear in mind that the shift 1 -> 2 has a progression of 1.7, which is the ratio of the two ratios. The shift from 2 -> 3 has a progression closer to 1.4, and you are moving from the 1-2 plane to the 3-4 plane which builds in a little more time. So give the 1 -> 2 shift a heartbeat more time, rev match if the gearbox is cold, and you'll be fine.

Aivar88

same here, from 1 to 2 when cold, it grinds a bit. but when going from 1 to N position to 2 its all good. takes a bit more time but not a problem for a city drive. got recently refreshed my S2 gearbox and added LSD, before refresh didnt notice this kind of a problem.

should i be worried and get the gearbox checked again? when driven a little bit and its warm, theres no problem at all.

unclebobg

I have the same problem on my '87 951. As I understand it from speaking to various techs, it's a worn synchro, and it's a very common problem on 944's. The 1-2 shift and the 2-3 shift use the same synchro ring and when it gets worn, it doesn't allow quick smooth shifts. If you're actually pulling the trans, you might want to rebuild it while it's out. I've owned mine for ten years and never bothered. Only important if you're drag racing. If you can do the work yourself, the synchro ring itself is only about $45, although if it's gotten bad, the whole hub assembly is $300 or so.

Tom M'Guinn

Kevin rebuilt mine several years ago and used new synchro's (and gears) and the 1 to 2nd shift is still "stiff" and takes longer than shifting between the other gears.

944Ross

Same issues on mine when cold, but I'm wondering if the inner shifter boot (rubber) is part of the problem. It seems to get bunched up in the left rear corner of the trans tunnel opening.

RoyaleWithCheese

Mine shifts up pretty smooth 1 to 2 but is real stiff getting back to 1 from any gear. Seems to be the case with most manual trans I have driven though.

Dave W.

I notice this, too. There's a large difference between first and second gear ratio. First gear seems too short now that I have a 2.85L engine. I'd like to have a taller first gear somehow.