Something not right with transmission *help please*

[jbrown7815]

Ok, I'm thinking my clutch is going out, but I am hoping this is not case.


Car has 97k miles. Stock clutch.


I can shift when sitting still about normal, as well as shifting up normally.


But I am having a hard time down shifting.


If I'm going 50 mph, I push clutch all the way in, I can not get to first, period. Slower I go the lower gears I can get into.


It's hard to downshift at normal speeds.


When I come to a stop, I can put it in 1st easily.



What is this?




Not a good time financially for this.


Recommend me a good clutch?

Something that can do 400hp for future BT hopes.


Thanks!

[wolfdog]

Umm, what? I can never get my car into first at 50mph.

[fitch303]

It's all in the design, so people like you who think it's a good idea to downshift to 1st gear while going 50mph don't gernade their motor when it over revs. BTW most car manufacturers use this design. WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU DOWNSHIFTING TO 1ST WHILE GOING 50MPH ANYWAY?

[jbrown7815]

Ffs. I would't engage clutch at that speed. i'm just using as an example b/c even though it would be idiotic, it would normally let me do it...

[jbrown7815]

Point being, i cannot downshift mildy aggressive at all. 2nd,3rd etc You people need to chill out before accusing people of being dumb.

[swrt83]

There's no reason you should WANT to put your car into 1st, 2nd, or quite possibly even 3rd gear while doing 50MPH. I'm with the rest of them, it just sounds retarded.

Nor should your car even LET you put it into first unless moving under ~5MPH

Maybe it isn't working because you have been doing it.......

[SlappyB6]

I haven't done that. I know how to drive my fucking car.


3rd gear at 50 mph is not extreme...


Don't shift into 1st unless under 5 mph?!? Wow, do you really own a MT?


Answer my fucking question instead of being an asshole. How about that?

First, calm down before you get your own thread locked.
Second, if you're honestly having that much trouble downshifting, you may want to take it to the dealership. It could be a number of different things, including your clutch.
Third, I've driven sticks for almost 15 years. There's never a reason to shift into first above 5 mph. Yes, you can rev 1st higher than that, but I seriously would not recommend downshifting into 1st above 5 mph.

[swrt83]

I haven't done that. I know how to drive my fucking car.


3rd gear at 50 mph is not extreme...


Don't shift into 1st unless under 5 mph?!? Wow, do you really own a MT?


Answer my fucking question instead of being an asshole. How about that?

Correct, 3rd isn't extreme at 50mph. Then again, I baby my car and have a 6spd so I'm not familiar with the 5 spd ratios.

I've also owned 2 cars with manual trannies over the last 8 years or so, both VW products, so I guess that makes me an idiot

If you have a 5 spd and the gearbox is anything like a VW gti, it shouldn't even let you engage it into 1st gear while cruising above 10mph. It's a safety feature that prevents you from destroying your car.

As for you problem, if you aren't grinding any gears while shifting, I doubt it's going. I also have no idea how you drive your car, did you have it looked at? Maybe its your synchro acting up

[jbrown7815]

Correct, 3rd isn't extreme at 50mph. Then again, I baby my car and have a 6spd so I'm not familiar with the 5 spd ratios.

I've also owned 2 cars with manual trannies over the last 8 years or so, both VW products, so I guess that makes me an idiot

If you have a 5 spd and the gearbox is anything like a VW gti, it shouldn't even let you engage it into 1st gear while cruising above 10mph. It's a safety feature that prevents you from destroying your car.

As for you problem, if you aren't grinding any gears while shifting, I doubt it's going. I also have no idea how you drive your car, did you have it looked at? Maybe its your synchro acting up

First, sorry I got all snippy, lat enight, early morning, but everyone was coming off basically saying I don't know how to drive, etc. My last car was also a VW gti


I just know if I'm slowing down coming up to a red light/stop sign or something, I would normally disengage the clutch [push petal], shift to first, so when I came to a stop I could be ready to go.


It's being hard to shift down at anytime while moving. Normally I like to down shift when slowing, or even when going up/down mountains, etc.


I drive my car alot and have grown accustomed to how it works, but this is out of the ordinary.


Thanks for your time

~J

[swrt83]

^No worries, it's just hard to diagnose your problem when all you're really telling people is that it's 'hard' to shift. Technically, if you're keeping the clutch in, it should let you put it in any gear so long as you aren't engaged in that gear. At first, you made it sound like you were moving 15+MPH and shifting it into first (while the clutch is out).

Has there been any other symptoms? When was the last time your gear fluid was changed? Have you had an expert take a look/drive?

[jbrown7815]

^No worries, it's just hard to diagnose your problem when all you're really telling people is that it's 'hard' to shift. Technically, if you're keeping the clutch in, it should let you put it in any gear so long as you aren't engaged in that gear. At first, you made it sound like you were moving 15+MPH and shifting it into first (while the clutch is out).

Has there been any other symptoms? When was the last time your gear fluid was changed? Have you had an expert take a look/drive?

Yeah sorry I didn't describe the problem clearly enough


It just started yesterday, seemingly after I hit a high speed on an open road [115 or so]

I'm thinking it could be fluid of some sort, since I'm not sure last time it was done.
[noob question] Manuals have transmission fluid right...?

[AudiA4_20T]

you should be able to downshift into any reasonable gear but 1st is never easy above say 15mph

[swrt83]

They use a gear fluid, yea. It's a synthetic and I have nooo idea how often this should be checked. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on it and if it gets any worse then take it in to have a tech take a look. It could be something very simple to fix, without the need for a new tranny (even one that could handle a BT, haha)

[jbrown7815]

Sounds good.

Thanks for patience and help.


I just am hoping for this clutch to last a few more thousand.
Thanks!


Jesse

[Maverick]

flush your tranny with Motul 300

[CO AVANT]

^^^ big 2nd. my car shifts smoother with Motul 300 over redline MT90. Try to re-align your syncros. When sitting at idle press in the clutch and quickly shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 2nd to 1st. Do the same 3rd to 4th to 5th to 4th to 3rd gear.

[jbrown7815]

Is flushing tranny an easy job?

[CO AVANT]

yes but I'd suggest a hand pump like the ones that work with any 5 gal bucket with at least 4ft of tubing. Fairly cheap ~$30

[AudiA4_20T]

yes but I'd suggest a hand pump like the ones that work with any 5 gal bucket with at least 4ft of tubing. Fairly cheap ~$30

I used a Turkey Baster lol

[dougyfresh]

I used a 3ft long clear hose I bought at home depot that just fits inside the filler hole. I forget the size (5/8" OD by 1/2" ID clear hose). Move the coolant reservoir aside and got in from up top. No problems. No drips.


I downshift to 3rd at 70mph. The car doesn't mind it.

2nd gear I won't downshift above, say 30-40mph.

1st gear I won't downshift into unless I'm under 15mph.



I also have taller gears in my trans (B5 2.8L 5spd).

[CO AVANT]

I used a Turkey Baster lol

that is hilarious. how long did that take you?

[doublezero30]

that sounds like it is working perfectly fine honestly. the trannys have a lockout type system where once youre over a certain speed you can no longer get into gears that are too low for it. this is because of what someone above said, so people dont blow up their engines being dumb. the only thing that doesnt make sense to me is that you cant get into 3rd at 50. i can get into 3rd at 50 but no lower gear than that. im with the other guys, try a trans flush and get back to us.

[AgentHubcap]

Try double-clutching when you downshift. If it gets easier, then it could be your syncros.