Ben25944

I recently bought a 1984 944 with 73k miles. I started noticing that when I shift into second gear quickly, it would grind, but not always. I changed the trans fluid, but that didn't help. Basically, when I shift while pulling to the lever all the way to the left, it grinds. (I know I know, don't pull the lever all the way left) But when I pull straight down without pulling left, everything is fine.

I checked the linkage under the shifter and everything is tight. I also checked the linkage on top of the transaxle, and everything seems ok, but I couldn't really get up there too well.
My questionsare, are there any adjustments for the linkage? Could it be my synchros going? Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Ben

Barn996

synchro?

pnbell

Clutch may not be fully disengaging...

Ben25944

I thought about the clutch not disengaging fully, but every other gear is fine. I was secretly hoping nobody would say synchros, but sort of expecting it...

pnbell

Synchros maybe, but the 944 tranny is a really great, strong, reliable transmission. and at 73k miles i would be surprised if the Synchros were bad...

Barn996

I don't know about 944 synchros, but they are somewhat common with 911s. Even my 79'SC had a failed 2nd gear synchro.

Sterling Doc

Sounds like the syncros, though it's true it's not a common problem.
Try changing the gear oil. If that doesn't fix it, it's cheaper to by a used trans than open it, and put new synchros in. I have some for sale if you need one.

xsbank

Funny you should say that the 2nd gear syndrome is not common - I have driven three randomly chosen 944s that I was looking to possibly buy and all three have trashed gearboxes. I am waiting a quote on a rebuilt or used tranny now...

gdab8

I have an S2 with 44,000 and the second gear crunches. Much more so when it is cold. The clutch was replaced by the PO and I believe it is not fully engaging. Possibly a throwout bearing not replaced properly. Can't believe it is the syncro and only 2nd gear.

I am curious about other theories.

Ben25944

From what I've been hearing it is fairly common for the 2nd gear syncros to go out. Think about how many times in a day you pull it into second gear fast.

First thing I did when I got the car was change the trans oil. Didnt help. I've decided to wait til I have to do the clutch and I'll just do it all at once. It is still very drivable, I just have to make sure I don't pull it hard into second.

Jason-85944

I just swapped the tranny out of my 85.5 with one from an 89 for this exact reason. 2nd gear synchro was not working properly. New unit works perfectly.

I have to agree with 2nd gear synchro diagnosis.

Barn996

Not uncommon.

CoreySmith

Boy, I am such a newbie I am not sure I qualify to answer this one. From my reading, this is a common problem for the 944 transmission when it is cold. Clarks-Garage says so, so I believe it. When it happens it feals like a sharp stab to the eyeball. I just imagine what it is doing to that poor gear.

I had the same problem, particularly when it is cold out. One of the first things I did to my '86 944 NA was to put Swepco 201 transmission oil in. It still crunches the 2nd gear synchro a little when it is cold, but that helped a lot. My approach is to just double clutch for the first few miles until it warms up. But the Swepco will help a lot.

john durdin

I had a lazy 2nd gear synco on my 120000mile 944 and I put swpetco 201 trans fluid ,it didn,t eliminate the problem, but it helped a great deal. It can ,t hurt to try it . John

Suprang

Sounds like synchros. I had a similar issue in another car, used redline synthetic and it helped out a lot.