*sets a few candles and incense to burn as he gives his question before the altar of ITR d00ds*

I got my gsr about 10 months ago, and within a month or two, I couldn't downshift to first without rev-matching EXACTLY. being slightly more skilled now than i was before, I always double-clutch and rev-match into first, but the situation remains. under 8 mph it's a little easier, I rarely try it above 12 mph, and I've NEVER tried to downshift over 20mph. It doesn't make an audible grinding noise, it just won't slide into gear. When rev-matched, it slips in.

Sometimes while I sit at a light in neutral with the clutch out, when I push in the clutch and try to put it into first gear, it refuses. This came with a lot of angry honks behind me until I found out that I could let it roll a little and it would go into first, or rev it slightly and it goes in. Now I have to pretty much rev it a hundred or three rpm a bit at every stop-light or else I don't get into first.

I've asked several people (none of them honda people), and the response was either "that's normal", "huh?", or "don't shift to first unless you've stopped". Well that last one kinda sucks, especially since I can't get into first from a stop anyway. I've put 10k mostly-highway miles on it, for a total of 61k on the car. The engine and tranny are still under warrenty, I don't know if the dealer will listen to me when I tell them the problem.

Thanks a bunch guys!

 

I had that problem with my old CRX, when my clutch went out, I got it replaced, fixed the problem. I can't explain it

 

sounds like a clutch problem

 

Meaning that the clutch isn't quite disengaging all the way? This would be unrelated to the clutch pad being worn, then?

Damn, I hadn't even thought about the clutch

 

I dont think 1st gear has a synchro, hence no grinding. Are you grinding in other gears? that would help explain why it is hard to get into gear. Rev the rpms high, and try wiggling the shifter just before it is completely in gear and see if you can get it to grind in all gears. If all of them (2-5th gear) grind then something is up with the clutch prolly.


[Modified by tilt, 2:24 PM 3/10/2003]


[Modified by tilt, 2:24 PM 3/10/2003]

 

1st gear has 2 syncros. other gears have 1

 

There you go. Likely, the spring seats on the pressure plate are broken or loose. If you havn't already, if you continue to drive like this you'll find the car creeps while the clutch is "disengaged" in first gear a la AT, but not quite as much.


Replace the clutch

 

Thanks a ton guys! You're all my heros