Hey all, I have a 1995 Civic EX with 117k original miles (d16z6) and recently I have begun to experience a grind when I shift into 3rd gear (and only 3rd) at over 4200rpm or so. At first, I thought maybe I missed my clutch point and that is why it was grinding. I might have thought this several times (I don't often miss and I don't drive that high rpm all the time) before I actually realized it was the car and not operator error. My thought is that I damaged the synchro by dropping the clutch too soon at high RPM. What do you guys think, and how much could this set me back to get repaired?

Thanks

 

Depends on whats worn, if its just the syncro ring and you do the work yourself its not going to be too bad, if the gear and/or sleeve is worn its going to cost money.

 

I'm pretty sure that the gear itself is fine. If I shift under 4200 there isn't any grind at all, and there isn't any sort of vibration. Well, there is ALWAYS vibration in a Civic . The gear doesn't grind if I let the clutch in and out at high RPM either, just when I shift to it.

Only problem is, I've never opened a tranny box in my life. I have an aptitude toward that sort of thing, but I don't know how if I'm honest with myself.

EDIT: What do you guys think could be causing this grind?

 

Low mile tranny = $200

 

That isn't too terrible... Lower than I thought actually. In the case that I end up getting a new one, should I just stick with the Z6 tranny?

 

yes stick with z6 and ive seen mint ones go for 75-200 depending on the seller.

 

Anyone near the Seattle area willing to sell me one?

 

Bump

 

i had the same issue with my tranny in my ex, i changed the fluid because it was starting to but the hell out of me, i filled it up with the GM synchromesh, and like magic, all grinds were gone and it shifted so smooth. It is a bit pricey per quart, but it sure as hell beats buying a new tranny and spending the hours putting it in. just my .02

 

Either worn syncro's or broken folk.

 

Sweet, I've been recommended Penzoil Synchomesh by a friend, and he had similar good things to say. I think I'll give it a shot to start with.

 

Hey just look on CL im in the northwest area too I look daily for parts there is always something but price's range a bit. If it doesnt grind that much and its a daily I would just leave it cause it's not worth the time and effort I think for a daily.

 

its hit or miss using penz synchromesh ive heard good and bad things about it.

 

I had the same problems on my GSR tranny. Got rid of the off the shelf autozone, napa, etc. crap that everyone said would be ok to use, since we don't have a Honda dealer within 100 miles, and filled her up with genuine honda MTF.

Guess what 3rd gear grind is gone and shifts are consistent and smooth now. Won't ever use anything different ever again.

 

I rebuilt mine. Like you, I had never taken a transmission apart before. Once I got the huge snap ring out and was able to separate the case, it was pretty simple. Just pay attention to the order you take things apart in and have clean space to lay the parts out.

I took pics and made a DIY of the process:

How to Rebuild your Civic's Countershaft

How to Rebuild your Civic's Mainshaft

 

i have heard good things about penzoil as well as bad things, i however have heard nothing bad about the GM stuff however. To each his own i suppose. At the very least it will buy you some time to get funds for a new tranny.

another route you can go is if you street/strip your car at all or even drive it hard you can invest in some carbon syncros and have your tranny rebuilt and save some bills there and have an overall stronger tranny.
here is the link, the brand i have had the best luck with: http://shop.synchrotech-transmission...ynchros_c2.htm


i wish you luck though, post results if you decide to try something!

 

this has happened to me numerous times, and has been the shift fork everytime, the shift forks in z6 trans are aluminum and break very easily.....y8 trans do not have the aluminum shift forks, and hold up a lil better in my opinion

 

If the fork was broken it would grind 4th as well.

Replace the 3rd gear sleeve assembly.

Chance of it being the synchro causing the grind? About 1%.