As long as I've owned my car, (4 years) 1st gear always grinds. It does not grind when I try to place it in gear from a complete stop. It will only grind and not go into gear while *rolling*. No other gears have problems. What could be the problem?

I've been told syncro's, but wouldn't the gear pop out while in motion? I need help ASAP, because I have the Tranny out doing a SBC Stage 1 clutch install and it would be much easier to replace while its out if it does have to do with something inside the tranny.

-RedBarren
1995 Eclipse RS

It could be the synchros or a bad shift cable, but usually the shift cable would be noticable in several gears, like 1st-3rd-5th or 2nd-4th-reverse. Considering your description of the symptoms I would lean more toward a dead synchro. It won't cause the gears to pop out while driving but it is usually very annoying. I drove a car with a dead 1st synchro for 50k and it never got any worse

You could have the trans rebuilt, replaced, or just live with it

Erik P.
Official 2GNT thread Hijacker
Some say that he's driven over more Covenant than he's shot, and that his grenades aren't where you'd expect them to be...
All we know is, He's not The Stig... But he is The Stig's Spartan cousin!

Thanks for your reply! Do you think I could just have the shop replace the 1st gear syncro? There is nothing else wrong with the trans besides that. Or do you think it would be worthwile to have aamcro rebuild the whole thing..?

-RedBarren
1995 Eclipse RS

I'd just go get quotes to see what the difference between rebuilding just the #1 synchro and refreshing the whole setup is. I'd bet that it's not that much more to have the whole thing refreshed.

Erik P.
Official 2GNT thread Hijacker
Some say that he's driven over more Covenant than he's shot, and that his grenades aren't where you'd expect them to be...
All we know is, He's not The Stig... But he is The Stig's Spartan cousin!

1st gear synchro is bad. when the trans pops out of Gear....your lookign at replacing the actual gears and slider assy.

Out of all the kits i have seen....you will have ot buy an entire synchro kit so you might as well just rebuild the entire trans.

You are not supposed to shift into 1st while rolling. It is not a "drive" gear, but functions only to get you going. This driving habit has lead to this result. Gear fluid plays a roll as well.

There is a guy going by Drakito on neons,org that rebuilds mtx's for around $350, and you pay the shipping. Something to consider.

Banned

Erik P.
Official 2GNT thread Hijacker
Some say that he's driven over more Covenant than he's shot, and that his grenades aren't where you'd expect them to be...
All we know is, He's not The Stig... But he is The Stig's Spartan cousin!

How can your transmission be fine if it has been grinding 1st gear since you have owned the car? Are you listening to yourself?

Banned

Captain Caveman

96 RS Turbo 11.414 @ 119.62 MSNS, Crower 2 NA cams, BW366, 10.5 comp, UDP, 60mm TB, W/A intercooler, 3.55 tranny 567.9whp 430tq
97 RS NA 13.188 @ 103.87 MSnS powered 12.5 comp, Crower 3's and 219.4whp with 175tq
98 RS DD 12.5 comp on stock ECU, LTH, Crower 2's, Koni, GC, Hypercoil, DG hats
99 OZ 5sp Stocker 15.856 @ 85.97
99 GS stocker auto 17.7@77mph!

wiki home page:http://www.2gnt.com/index.php?d=bullettdsm

10-4

Banned

Down shifting into 1st gear wen coming to a crawl is normal.

Snychros go bad due to a variety of reasons.