ok, so there are two service bullitens out about grinding going into 5th, and one out about a bad 5th shift fork. what does this mean? can i take it to my dealer and have this fix/replace something? is there a fix for the 5th gear synchro problem?

 

The bulletin you are referring to came out in 92 for the Lude and in 94 for the Accords, If your car grinds while going into 5th gear, or any other gear for that matter it means ( regarding that TSB) that you have a problem with the way the syncro hub is engaging with the particular gear, possibly a bent shifter fork or worn gears or synchros...

And yes, you can take it to the dealership or anywhere you please to have it repaired.. but it will cost you mucho $$$$

 

actually, there are two 5th gear service bulletins out for the 97 prelude, along with one for bulletin a defective shift fork. i'll post the link tomorrow.

 

It should be for the earlier model preludes as well... At least the 4g VTECs

 

Unless, of course, you're under warranty still.. in which case it would cost Honda much $$$$ ..

 

ok, i got the service bullitens from the NHTSA website:

Service Bulletin Number: 97080195057
Bulletin Sequence Number:
Date of Bulletin: 9708
NHTSA Item Number: SB052947
Make: HONDA
Model: PRELUDE
Year: 1997
Component: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Summary: FIFTH GEAR SHIFT FORK WAS NOT MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. *YC


Service Bulletin Number: 95057
Bulletin Sequence Number: 188
Date of Bulletin: 0010
NHTSA Item Number: SB618903
Make: HONDA
Model: PRELUDE
Year: 1997
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:5 SPEED AND UP
Summary: A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR. *TT


Service Bulletin Number: 97101395057
Bulletin Sequence Number:
Date of Bulletin: 9710
NHTSA Item Number: SB054131
Make: HONDA
Model: PRELUDE
Year: 1997
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:STANDARD:MANUAL
Summary: INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO FIFTH GRINDS. *YC

here's the address for the website: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/proble...ervicemmy1.cfm

 

Has anyone reported the same problems with 2000-2001 models? I swear my shifter has always been "notchy." Over time, I've just accepted it as normal. I have a heckuva hard time getting into Reverse, and notchiness can be most felt when going into 2nd. gear and 1st and 5th are just about the same, except less so than when going into 2nd.

I believe I drive stick responsibly. Always fully depressed clutch and everything. I am starting to develop the habit of double clutching to avoid feeling those notches. I hate that.

 

I am in the same boat as you slickshftr, mine is definitely notchy into second and 5th gear, as well as putting it into first when stopped, VERY NOTCHY. I am going to print this out and take it to the dealer and have them fix my tranny, this is bullhockey, all of the money I paid for this car, it should be shifting sweet and smooth, and I know how to drive so its not user error.

 

let me knwo how things turn out with the dealer. even if they don't fix it, i'd still like to know what excuse they gave you, or what they said to you. it seems honda knows about these transmission problems with our preludes, so it seems like they should be fixing them, instead of hoping our 36,000/3year warranty runs out first. grrrr.