ok, here's my problem....
when i'm racing around town and shifting near redline, the shift to third always grinds. this is when i'm shifting at about 60 mph or 7500 rpms or so. it won't let me in gear until the engine speed slows down some, which takes too long. it doesn't do it going into second, and i don't usually redline 3rd to know if it does it shifting into 4th. is this normal? will a little double clutch action help my problem, or are the syncros crying for help? thanks
-jake
the car is an '89 GTU

 

Could be driver error by not pressing your clutch in enough

Could be that you are just ramming gears too hard

Could be lack or oil or old oil (get redline MT90)

Could be synchros.


Best bet would be to change the fluid to redline mt90 and make sure you press the clutch and that it is not grabbing right at the floor.

 

well it has the redline oil which is a couple years old now...just got the car a couple months ago. how old is too old for tranny fluid? maybe i should change it to clear out any tiny pieces of metal i put in there with the gears grinding. how much is redline, and can you get it at parts stores or do you have to order it?
i did adjust the clutch pedal, but it doesn't grab until you've pulled your foot back a few inches. maybe i'll adjust it back some more and see if it helps any.

 

Change it. Redline is not carried by all parts stores. I bought Royal Purple 90W synthetic gear oil, and it rocks. If you decide to buy Redline, only get MT-90, not MTL. It will set you back about $8 a quart, and you need 4 or 5 (I can't remember, and my Hayne's is at home so that number could be way off!!)

 

haynes manual says only 2.6 quarts....does that sound right? thats not very much oil?

 

Whats wrong with the MTL? I have used only that in manual trannies. And 2.6 Q is plenty.

Surprising noone mentioned worn shifter bushings!!!

Theyre cheap, and easy to replace. If the shifter feels really sloppy and loose and moves vertically at all, CHANGE THEM!!

 

MTL is not viscous enough for synchros. At least that is the debate I have read.