2nd gear problem
 

buddy of mine told me he thinks my synchros are going bad. Shifting into 2nd gear (not even W.O.T. but slow-normal speed driving) it'll grind but it happens more if its downshifted from 3rd to 2nd then regular 1st-2nd. Anyone?

Do you have the motor mounts installed?
The motor mounts on these cars are crap, and I know on mine I had issues getting into 2nd and 3rd under load before upgrading them. I guess the engine moves around enough to block out the gear, or at least make it reallly skinny :)

i think the syncros on this car aren't that great, and then the MM is crap... and the tranny fluid is shit... all those things = a crappy gearbox at times

I have the same problem shifting from first to second. Every other gear is fine, and it never does it on downshifts. I suspected the motor mount; glad to hear that's likely the culprit.

The only way I've found to work around it is just to shift at higher RPM -- around 3,500-4,000 does the trick.

mostly for me it's downshifts, MM helped alot, there were times where rev matching did nothing and it just wouldn't go in.. now it's really just going into 1st... just need to slow down alot for it to go in... rarely upshift into 3rd tho, has ground a bit

Adjust your shifter. I thought I was grinding until I adjusted the shifter.

^ i think you're talking to the OP but anyway, what are you feeling for changes in when adjusting the shifter? cause when i'm just sitting with everything off, it feels fine... just occasionally while driving it gets all messed up

yeah i have a rear motor mount thinking about the tranny mount. is the damper really good? someone also said a short shifter or the bushings may help. maybe change to a higher grade tranny fluid?

read the sig son

Sorry to say, but sounds like your 2nd gear syncros went to shit. Happened to me last fall. I was lucky enough to get it covered under warranty, hopefully, you'll be just as lucky.

do anything you can to fix the problem now or you will trash your syncro. my tranny kicks the gearshift out of 2nd any time i engine brake :(

I'm nearly up for my 30,000-mile service. I'm going to have them take a look at the transmission next week. My car's still under warranty, so hopefully that will cover any issues.

So belated followup on this issue: As I feared, my synchros were fried. Thanks, previous owner. ... Luckily the warranty did indeed cover it. I should get it back Thursday. I'll report back them about how different it feels.

In the meantime, I'm stuck in a damn rental Hyundai Accent. I got the supplemental insurance. The car at this point wishes it were never born. :D

What can be done to avoid frying the syncros? Sounds like multiple people have had issues with this and i dont want it to happen to me.

I lost 2nd gear already trust me i know it sucks, even worse when the dealer fixes it and it happens again

i hate my second gear.
my shit pops out

learn how to shift, and you won't have any problems with this

the synthetic tranny fluid helps also

Mine pops out too but doesnt grind anymore haha its really weird. doesnt do it all the time either