transmission shifting into first hard unless stopped
04-26-2018 | 03:29 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,050
Likes: 1,781
From: Chicago, IL
A crunch into any gear is different than being able to shift easily or difficult in my opinion.
If I shift too fast in my car, I can get a crunch. To me, that’s either operator error, the wrong fluid, or worn synchros.
Difficulty shifting into first while moving is common across many makes and models of cars or trucks. Some are easier than others.
All cars and all manual transmission gears will be more difficult to shift into first gear while moving than any other gear (aside from maybe reverse) because the actual act of trying to engage 1st requires that the transmission gears be sped up quite a bit - maybe up to 3,000 RPM at 15mph - and the only device that’s able to do that is the synchro (or double synchro in our 996s). What might be working against the spin-up besides cold, viscous oil, is the throwout bearing, the bearings on either side of the transmission, or the clutch and pressure plate.
Testing to see if it’s the clutch/plate is easy - just rev-match at 15 mph and it should shift easier into first even without using the clutch. But this test doesn’t seem to work well on all cars.
If it’s still not easy to shift, then it’s just tight overall and will probably not be fixable unless the clutch components are changed out.
The fact that the most difficult shifting happen when cold leads me to suspect the oil as being the main reason why some folks have a hard time.
Otherwise, I still think some of the shifts into First that require more effort is by design, and exacerbated by too much drag somewhere else that’s making the problem worse due to a part that could be replaced to help relieve it.
Problem is: it’s too expensive to try to fix the problem by itself, and most folks wait until a new clutch is needed or other work is being done.
If I shift too fast in my car, I can get a crunch. To me, that’s either operator error, the wrong fluid, or worn synchros.
Difficulty shifting into first while moving is common across many makes and models of cars or trucks. Some are easier than others.
All cars and all manual transmission gears will be more difficult to shift into first gear while moving than any other gear (aside from maybe reverse) because the actual act of trying to engage 1st requires that the transmission gears be sped up quite a bit - maybe up to 3,000 RPM at 15mph - and the only device that’s able to do that is the synchro (or double synchro in our 996s). What might be working against the spin-up besides cold, viscous oil, is the throwout bearing, the bearings on either side of the transmission, or the clutch and pressure plate.
Testing to see if it’s the clutch/plate is easy - just rev-match at 15 mph and it should shift easier into first even without using the clutch. But this test doesn’t seem to work well on all cars.
If it’s still not easy to shift, then it’s just tight overall and will probably not be fixable unless the clutch components are changed out.
The fact that the most difficult shifting happen when cold leads me to suspect the oil as being the main reason why some folks have a hard time.
Otherwise, I still think some of the shifts into First that require more effort is by design, and exacerbated by too much drag somewhere else that’s making the problem worse due to a part that could be replaced to help relieve it.
Problem is: it’s too expensive to try to fix the problem by itself, and most folks wait until a new clutch is needed or other work is being done.
04-26-2018 | 08:59 PM
#32
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 317
From: Santa Cruz, CA
I agree you don't need to shift 2-1 around town but in the hills around here are some tight uphill hairpins that cannot be negotiated in 2nd
ill heel toe 2-1 because I don't want to come to a stop. The rev blip is crucial and the cost of failure is high
definately not for the faint of heart
ill heel toe 2-1 because I don't want to come to a stop. The rev blip is crucial and the cost of failure is high
definately not for the faint of heart
05-04-2023 | 12:20 AM
#34
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 20
From: Portland, OR
I was having the same problem,downshifting from 2-1 (crunchy into 1st); I had no idea I was driving the car wrong! Now that I’ve changed my driving habits, its a much improved experience!
I very much appreciate the insight from the more experienced drivers on the board. Important information to pass down to future 993 enthusiasts.
I very much appreciate the insight from the more experienced drivers on the board. Important information to pass down to future 993 enthusiasts.
Last edited by PNW993; 05-04-2023 at 12:22 AM.
