Is my trans bad?
 

I'm trying to figure out exactly which is bad and needs to be replaced. The symptoms on my transmission is slow shifting from 1st to 2nd and if I try to shift at the buzzer it grinds. 5th gear is flawless on it.

Unknown mileage on the trans. Stock clutch and not sure if I this would have something to do with it but on my slave cylinder it felt like the push rod part was hanging out of the housing. Not sure if that's how It is or not. It was like a limp noodle hanging out if that makes sense.

Also trans has redline fluid in It. I'm going be doing a clutch job soon since my car has more power now. Just wondering if trans is compromised and needs replacement.

Synchros in trans. Been there on an FD trans 3x. The FD synchros are weak. When they made the 3rd Gen they took mass out of the syncho design so it would get up to speed quicker which means it will shift faster. Problem is they will go quick, especially on a modded car.

The upgrade was to replace it with the 2nd gen TII synchro. Its stronger and is a direct fit replacement. By the time I figured this out I was already done with my last FD trans.
Your welcome.

- Mike

FWIW, I just recently had my transmission gone through, initiated by a really noisy input shaft bearing. But I had similar issues from 1st to 2nd. It did NOT grind, but it did feel like it drug a bit, with noticeably more resistance than I felt between other gears. When they got it torn down the synchros were worn but still in spec...barely. What they also found were worn shift forks. All were replaced and it shifts much easier...like the other gears now. I wished I'd known about the TII synchro substitute though.

How much did it cost you to go through your trans? I don't mind having It opened to replace synchros and small stuff but it wouldn't be worth It if I have to replace gears and what not. Rather buy low mileage trans.

Never heard that one but makes sense. Rebuilding a trans runs around a grand to do it right.

$1200. New shift forks, brass and bearings. Gears themselves were fine. But I R & R'd the transmission myself.
I thought about going used, but I'm in fly-over country and very few FDs around. Which means I'd have shipping along with the risk of buying something unseen from someone unknown. I also didn't want JDM. I've owned the car for several years with no plans to sell anytime soon. Besides, initially I only planned on replacing the bad bearing...so by the time the other issues were discovered I already had some labor costs into it.

Make sure your motor mounts are good and trans isn't moving when shifting.


I installed solid delrin mounts my car shifts 200x better.

the 1-2 syncro wears the quickest of all the syncros, so it's the usual culprit even if it's still within spec. 5th gear syncro breaks due to mis-shifts and no other real reason.