second gear syncro??

[njspider]

I'm noticing my first to second upshift is not as smooth as the other gears. If I granny shift with a good pause in the neutral gate, it doesn't grind but I still feel it. A faster shift produces a small grinding feel. When the car is fully warm and been driving for a while it's better but still noticeable. The downshift from third to second is perfectly smooth. I think my clutch is fully disengauging as there is no issue going into reverse. I had a MGA with worn second gear syncros but it was the exact opposite. It upshifted fine but would grind on the downshift unless you double clutched with a blip of the throttle. Does this sound like a syncro issue? Thanks

[vandor]

Yes, it is weird that it's more pronounced on the upshift vs. the downshift. It is usually the other way around.

To replace the synchro the gearbox has to come apart, so you may just want to double clutch on the upshift. You may also try changing the trans oil. Do not use anything synthetic, they are too slippery and synchros won't work well with them.

[djape1977]

second gear collar, not synchro

[rjkoop]

I'm noticing my first to second upshift is not as smooth as the other gears. If I granny shift with a good pause in the neutral gate, it doesn't grind but I still feel it. A faster shift produces a small grinding feel. When the car is fully warm and been driving for a while it's better but still noticeable. The downshift from third to second is perfectly smooth. I think my clutch is fully disengauging as there is no issue going into reverse. I had a MGA with worn second gear syncros but it was the exact opposite. It upshifted fine but would grind on the downshift unless you double clutched with a blip of the throttle. Does this sound like a syncro issue? Thanks

I have the exact same problem but not sure I want to take the transmission out/apart. I have to let the revs down a bit before going from 1st to 2nd or it will grind. Everything else is perfect and no issues downshifting. I'll probably just live with it.

Let me know how it works out. May give me the motivation to do it myself.

Richard

[RRoller123]

Mine improved when I went from synthetic back to GL1. Quieted the input shaft whine too.

[rjkoop]

Mine improved when I went from synthetic back to GL1. Quieted the input shaft whine too.

For me, I've already got GL1 in the tranny.

[KandJinmaine]

We had a similar situation with 3rd gear for a little over ten years. Finally during some hard driving, it wouldn't go into 3rd at all. I have taken out transmissions and installed them but had never taken one apart before, but figured I didn't have much to lose by trying to fix it. I have the Fiat manual and there are copies of the trans section on the web, so I went for it.
I found that the synchro ring was missing all its teeth and the spring was way out of place. Karen,my wife, and I took it apart , labeling every bit, and put all the parts in plastic bags. I ordered new bits from A/R, including a new clutch kit as long as I was at it. I damaged one of the bearings on disassembly that was a little pricey, but everything was about $500.00 all told. Reassembly was straightforward and now we have 3rd gear back!!
It is Very satisfying to hit third gear both up shifting and downshifting.
A shop press, work bench, breaker bar and a smart wife are all good tools for this project, go for it and good luck!!
Jeff

[rjkoop]

We had a similar situation with 3rd gear for a little over ten years. Finally during some hard driving, it wouldn't go into 3rd at all. I have taken out transmissions and installed them but had never taken one apart before, but figured I didn't have much to lose by trying to fix it. I have the Fiat manual and there are copies of the trans section on the web, so I went for it.
I found that the synchro ring was missing all its teeth and the spring was way out of place. Karen,my wife, and I took it apart , labeling every bit, and put all the parts in plastic bags. I ordered new bits from A/R, including a new clutch kit as long as I was at it. I damaged one of the bearings on disassembly that was a little pricey, but everything was about $500.00 all told. Reassembly was straightforward and now we have 3rd gear back!!
It is Very satisfying to hit third gear both up shifting and downshifting.
A shop press, work bench, breaker bar and a smart wife are all good tools for this project, go for it and good luck!!
Jeff

Work bench - check!
Breaker bar - check!
Smart wife - check!
Shop press - nope but might be able to get my hands on one

I'm kind of thinking it has to be done to enjoy the 1st -> 2nd gear shifting.

Richard

[Nanonevol]

Also, 27 mm socket, impact driver, snap ring pliers. I ended up buying a press at Harbor Freight for not too much $.

[KandJinmaine]

Also, 27 mm socket, impact driver, snap ring pliers. I ended up buying a press at Harbor Freight for not too much $.

Oh yeah, those things too. And some ziploc bags, a sharpie pen, plenty of paper towels , and a few beers.....
Jeff

[rjkoop]

This looks helpful as well...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8calc6xV2JM

[vandor]

Why do you need a press? I do not use one when rebuilding a trans.

[klweimer]

When I did mine last year, it seems there were a couple of times you had a choice between using a press and tapping things together with a carefully wielded hammer and punch. As I recall, the most challenging was installing a snap ring on top of a spring washer. The press would have been great, but only if you had the correct press tool to compress the spring washer first (which I didn't have). There are lots of threads on the forum about transmission rebuilds. It's definitely do-able, but I would put the complexity at about 8, where a 10 is completely rebuilding your engine.

The other tool you need for sure is a digital camera, so you can take lots of pictures as you go.

Kirk

[Nanonevol]

I needed a press a couple of time to disassemble. As I recall, there was a bushing I needed to push off so that I could take off first and second gear and their synchros etc. Also needed it to push off the big bearing on the input shaft. Of course you don't need to buy one like I did as you can go to a machine shop or local garage and get it done.
Taking photos is definitely a good idea.

[rjkoop]

I think my biggest worry is ensuring everything is done and functionality correctly without having to put it in the car 1st. I'm hoping I can be 99% comfortable that things will work correctly once installed.