1st Gear Grind

[Solorange]

Sometimes when putting the car into 1st gear at a stop or a roll my gears grind. My clutch is all the way in when Im shifting into 1st. Is this a sign that my 1st gear synchro is going out or some other issue? This is a starting to occur more frequently.

Thanks

[trd4life]

most likely synchros. I would change the gear oil and run some GM syncromesh for a little while then change the oil again with the normal stuff.

[Solorange]

That sucks I just changed the tranny oil like a month ago. Originally I thought I didn't put enough in and I topped it off a second time which it appeared to have plenty in. Can I get GM synchro mesh at Autozone or Napa?

[ThurzNite]

What gear oil do you have in there?
When I was living in colder climate, I couldn't get into any gear when cold. I'd have to warm up the car for 3-5 min before shifting. I switched to amsoil synthetic and no problems ever since, even when below freezing mornings.
I do have to say, this car seriously needs lighter flywheel!
Dr J

[Solorange]

I used Mobil 1 75W-90 gear oil. Its not cold outside right now so I don't think that is my issue.

[ThurzNite]

Are you holding the clutch down for couple seconds before shifting, or clutch->shift immediately?

There aren't many cars I've driven that will shift into 1st easily when rolling slower than 10mph.

If you're at a complete stop, and it's difficult, some youtube videos suggest clutch down, shifter to 2nd then 1st, w/o lifting the clutch.

Another issue could be your shifter bushing's worn and not lining the gate correctly.

The more info u tell me, the better I can diagnose.

Dr J

[corlon]

see below

[corlon]

my car just started doing the same thing. i'd never come to a complete stop at stop signs. now if i down shift into 1st 90% of the time it will grind if the car is moving at all. even 2-3mph. every now and then it will do it shifting up into 3rd gear. most people i've talked to claim syncros. i've tried double clutching and shifting into 2nd prior to 1st. still grinds.

[Solorange]

Are you holding the clutch down for couple seconds before shifting, or clutch->shift immediately?

There aren't many cars I've driven that will shift into 1st easily when rolling slower than 10mph.

If you're at a complete stop, and it's difficult, some youtube videos suggest clutch down, shifter to 2nd then 1st, w/o lifting the clutch.

Another issue could be your shifter bushing's worn and not lining the gate correctly.

The more info u tell me, the better I can diagnose.

Dr J

When Im at a roll and need to downshift into 1st Im always under 10mph. Usually Im under 5mph. I was thinking that too, that maybe Im going too quick into 1st once I push the clutch in, but Ive been driving a stick for 10 years and had my Solara since 2004 and never had this issue until recently, so it makes me believe its not me because I haven't changed my driving style. Since Ive been paying attention to it more now, I do make sure I downshift into 1st much slower and after holding the clutch in for a 1 sec or so. I usually don't get the grinding when I go this slow but it still did happen a couple times. I do feel like it takes a little more strength to push into first gear from what I remember back when I bought the car in 2004.

[alltrac92]

Redline MT-90 is the only gear lube I use in my Camry.

[ThurzNite]

I dunno, I double clutch downshift out of habit, and getting into 1st always requires a heck of a blip. 10mph's a challenge, and 5 is pretty difficult to do quickly. All I can suggest is, don't go into 1st unless you absolutely have to? Are you auto-x and need 1st for a slow corner? LOL.

Dr J

[Solorange]

No for some reason I never auto-X. I always wanted too, but I guess just never made an effort to do it. Usually I want first gear at a roll because Im going too slow to be in second when Im rolling through stop signs. My work buddy I car pool with lives in a neighborhood that has too many stop signs on the main road into it. Most of the time it grinds when going into 1st when the car is just at a dead stop.

[ThurzNite]

Grinds when stopped. Ok, that's a concern I can work with. Lemme plug that into a few diagnostic programs I have and see what it spits out. brb.
Dr J

[ThurzNite]

We've discussed transmission fluid, you said everything's good there.

How about the hydraulic system? Master and slave cylinder not leaking? Hoses not leaking or sweating? Bleed the system?

Next, I'd start checking out the shifting mechanism. I haven't played with the cables and bushings, but they could be worn. It's gonna be a while before I plan on being under my car to look into this myself (I'd like to change out bushings to make shifts crisper rather than rubbery).

Lemme look up some stuff in another repair manual

Dr J

[Solorange]

I don't have any fluids leaking on the ground. I would have to crawl underneith it give everything a good look over. But when Im under it changing the oil I don't notice anything.

When I push the clutch pedal in you hear it creak from outside the car. I figured its the spring making that noise which I don't think would have anything to do with this.