I can’t seem to find anything on the net related to my set of tranny symptoms and hopefully my post will help someone else with similar issues.
Engine: 98+ Spec JDM B18C
Vehcile: 99 EK9
Parts (all new and installed together, used for <11,0000 km so far):
- Toda Chrome-Moly flywheel
- Competition Clutch Stage 2 - Street Series 2100 Clutch Kit
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane shifter bushing
Symptoms:
- car at complete stop, after disengaging the clutch (pedal down), it takes 2-3 seconds before I can shift into gear (ie: it’s blocked – I’m guessing the Synchros need time to synch up?)
- on occasion (say once every 2 drives), while the car is completely stopped, clutch disengaged (pedal down), shifting into 2nd gear causes the car to lurch forward very slightly (this was more evident before I changed the Clutch Master and Slave Cylinders - Slave was leaking). Can now still be felt ever so slightly.
- shifting during lower revs (ie: < 4K rpm) will increase the chance of grinding (say once every drive). The grinding duration is about for a second, before going into gear. During continuous driving the gear shift feel will change randomly from notchy , unsure , not smooth to relatively smooth / fine.
- shiting during higher revs (ie >= 4K rpm) will provide smooth effortless shifts. I have till now, not yet experienced a high rev gear grind.
- grinds / unsure gear shifting has been experienced in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th gears. 5th feels a tad stiff, but since I’m in the city most often I don’t shift into 5th gear as much.
- symptoms have been this way since the new flywheel and clutch kit was installed, except that grinding is slightly more frequent now as compared to initially.
- changing the Gear oil does seem to improve the above symptoms but they will eventually come back.
Questions:
Has anyone else had similar symptoms?
Is there a way to tell if the problem is related to the Synchros or with the Clutch Pressure Plate?
I’m inclined to believe that my synchros are going bad, but I want to make sure it’s not my Pressure Plate being defective. I don’t want a defective PP screwing up my tranny if that is at all possible.
Unfortunately, from that I’ve researched it appears the only way to find out is to drop the tranny for inspection. I plan to keep driving it and replacing the gear oil again to see if symptoms are alleviated again – at least temporarily. Will be saving up for a Tranny rebuild either way.
Solutions tried:
- New Honda Master Cylinder
- New aftermarket (“Ultra-8â€) Slave Cylinder
- New Dot 4 silicone brake fluid
- Clutch fluid bled till no air bubbles appear (firm, consistent clutch pedal)
- New Honda MTF (flushed twice within 12 months)
- Adjusted CMC pushrod to provide proper disengagement clearance
- No clutch fluid leaks inside car or in engine bay
- Clutch does not slip, chatter, or make noise
Related Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission#Synchronized_transmission
http://www.clutchwizard.com/diagnosis.htm
http://www.crxsi.com/articles/read/clutch-symptoms-and-their-causes-december-2008.htm
http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=911
Engine: 98+ Spec JDM B18C
Vehcile: 99 EK9
Parts (all new and installed together, used for <11,0000 km so far):
- Toda Chrome-Moly flywheel
- Competition Clutch Stage 2 - Street Series 2100 Clutch Kit
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane shifter bushing
Symptoms:
- car at complete stop, after disengaging the clutch (pedal down), it takes 2-3 seconds before I can shift into gear (ie: it’s blocked – I’m guessing the Synchros need time to synch up?)
- on occasion (say once every 2 drives), while the car is completely stopped, clutch disengaged (pedal down), shifting into 2nd gear causes the car to lurch forward very slightly (this was more evident before I changed the Clutch Master and Slave Cylinders - Slave was leaking). Can now still be felt ever so slightly.
- shifting during lower revs (ie: < 4K rpm) will increase the chance of grinding (say once every drive). The grinding duration is about for a second, before going into gear. During continuous driving the gear shift feel will change randomly from notchy , unsure , not smooth to relatively smooth / fine.
- shiting during higher revs (ie >= 4K rpm) will provide smooth effortless shifts. I have till now, not yet experienced a high rev gear grind.
- grinds / unsure gear shifting has been experienced in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th gears. 5th feels a tad stiff, but since I’m in the city most often I don’t shift into 5th gear as much.
- symptoms have been this way since the new flywheel and clutch kit was installed, except that grinding is slightly more frequent now as compared to initially.
- changing the Gear oil does seem to improve the above symptoms but they will eventually come back.
Questions:
Has anyone else had similar symptoms?
Is there a way to tell if the problem is related to the Synchros or with the Clutch Pressure Plate?
I’m inclined to believe that my synchros are going bad, but I want to make sure it’s not my Pressure Plate being defective. I don’t want a defective PP screwing up my tranny if that is at all possible.
Unfortunately, from that I’ve researched it appears the only way to find out is to drop the tranny for inspection. I plan to keep driving it and replacing the gear oil again to see if symptoms are alleviated again – at least temporarily. Will be saving up for a Tranny rebuild either way.
Solutions tried:
- New Honda Master Cylinder
- New aftermarket (“Ultra-8â€) Slave Cylinder
- New Dot 4 silicone brake fluid
- Clutch fluid bled till no air bubbles appear (firm, consistent clutch pedal)
- New Honda MTF (flushed twice within 12 months)
- Adjusted CMC pushrod to provide proper disengagement clearance
- No clutch fluid leaks inside car or in engine bay
- Clutch does not slip, chatter, or make noise
Related Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission#Synchronized_transmission
http://www.clutchwizard.com/diagnosis.htm
http://www.crxsi.com/articles/read/clutch-symptoms-and-their-causes-december-2008.htm
http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=911