1994 Acura Legend GS originally auto and now with the 6 speed transmission and the single mass flywheel/new single mass Spec Stage 3 clutch all just installed. The transmission has 40k miles on it and is in very good condition, all gears work perfect without any hint of grinds except this problem I am having with 1st gear. I do not think it is synchro related at all but clutch related.

Getting into 1st gear is causing problems. When the car is started up, it will shift into 1st with a hard grind, with the clutch fully pressed down. Trying it several times it will do the same thing. After driving for a bit, it will not go back into 1st gear at all. Even at a full stop after waiting some time, trying repeatedly several times for awhile, it will not go into 1st gear at all. If I put it in 2nd gear, let out clutch, then put it in 1st, it may go in sometimes.

With the engine off it goes through all of the gears fine without any problems.

I am told by an Acura tech it is most likely a clutch drag issue becuase the transmission mainshaft splines were not lubricated adequately; so the clutch disk is not releasing fully from the flywheel. Or there is some other problem with the installation/fitment of the clutch causing it to not release properly. Acura has also released a service bulletin regarding a similar issue:



My mechanic who did the work said the splines were rusted and he sanded it off and did grease them and it just needs to be driven some. SPEC also said it happens with their new clutches because of very tight tolerances it needs to be broken in by driving normal for 500 miles and it will get progressively smoother.

 

I drove it today and put about 15 miles on it. 1st gear is still being a bitch and not going in, sometimes it will go in with a grind if you shove it in hard after coming to a full stop, letting out the clutch, and trying again. So it looks like the clutch is still not disengaging fully from the flywheel.

And now there is an even bigger problem....the brand new spec stage III clutch is slipping like a **** . It will just slip horribly through all of the gears when shifting quick. So it looks like here the clutch is not engaging fully.

Looks like two totally separate problems since they are doing opposite things?

This clutch is supposed to be very close to oem pedal pressure, maybe 10% harder. But the pedal feel is pretty stiff, even with the car off there is some stiff hydraulic pressure on it. So it seems like this could likely be causing a problem.

I am told to first check the pressure in the slave bleeder with the pedal released, when opened a small amount should drip out, if any pressure is released with force, the clutch is not being fully released.

And then try adjusting/shortening the pushrod going into MC to change the travel of the clutch master/slave cylinders and the engagement as there may not be enough cylinder travel.

And the switch at the top of the pedal assembly adjustment for how high the pedal comes up also. Although it seems it is already engaging too high, almost near the top of the pedal travel, perhaps it is not high enough to fully engage the clutch and it is like driving around with the pedal slightly depressed all the time.

This all is starting to really frustrate me . Any help/advice/ideas are welcome.


Modified by LeGeND4LiFe at 10:51 AM 7/7/2005

 

So this swap now has about 2700 or so miles on it and I still can't get into 1st gear unless I come to a complete stop and go into 2nd first, then 1st. What should I do?

 

Well I'm changing all the clutch hydraulic system parts including slave, master cyl, the clutch line, and eliminating the damper......so if its a prob with the hydraulic system that should fix the slipping/losing pressure issue, but I'm wondering if its the same thing causing me to not be able to get into 1st gear ? Anyone?

 

If you can get into all the other gears at with the car stopped and car running then there is nothing wrong with your hydraulic system.

The hydraullic system does nothing but release the clutch and will not fix your slipping. If you just put a new clutch in why are you shifting quick, you need to break it in properly first anyways.

Honda transmissions do this when they get miles on them, try changing the fluid and see if it helps but I think it's the actaul gear assbly not the syncro.

 

Thanks for the reply. It's a brand new install, converted from auto to manual, with a new clutch and lightened/resurfaced/balanced oem flywheel machined together with the new clutch. The hydraulic system parts were used, they are causing the slipping, the slave I think. Because when it starts slipping if I open/close the bleeder it lets some pressure out and stops slipping for the next 50-70 miles or so. It now has 2700 or so miles on it and is fully broken in.

While stopped, not moving, and with engine running, clutch down, it is hard to also get into 1st gear, 3rd gear, and reverse as well. Have to push hard/wait/go into another gear first, etc. And 1st will grind hard if I go in right away, and grind slightly if I push the clutch in, and wait 5 seconds. It seems to me like the clutch is not fully releasing or is dragging. The transmission only has 40k miles on it, it seemed to be in excellend condition.

I think the problem is the hydraulic system, or what the picture in the first post describes. But any more help is appreciated.

 

I can't beleive I'm still having these problems.

I bought all new oem clutch hydraulic system parts and took it back to the mechanic, he put in a new slave cylinder, new stainless clutch line (eliminated damper), and the master he didn't change yet (not leaking), this HOPEFULLY stops the clutch bleeding issue, but it's still having the same 1st gear problem.

It GRINDS HARD when trying to get into 1st gear while stopped. If you go to another gear first, it will go into 1st without a grind. If you push in the clutch and wait 5 seconds, it goes in with a slight grind. While moving it will NOT GO into 1st gear at ALL....even while barely moving 1-2mph. This is the biggest problem as it is undrivable in traffic, it will stall out in 2nd gear at low speed and not being able to go to 1st.

He said the 1st gear synchro could be bad. And the clutch is not disengaging fully. But he doesn't want to pull the transmission again.

How can I find out for sure if it's a synchro or internal transmission problem or something clutch related without pulling the transmission? What else could it be? Synthetic redline MT-90 transmission fluid? Not enough transmission fluid? (it was leaking). Improper clutch pedal travel/play adjustment? Install error?

Please help.......I've spent a total of about 20 months and over $3,000 so far on this tranny swap and it still isn't working right..........

 

Anybody??

 

I'm going to try Honda MTF transmission fluid I think........the oem spec is 10w30 to 20w40 (depending on temp range). I was running redline mt-90 which I beleive is 75w90 but synthetic.

 

It sounds like to me it can be an inproperly installed throw out bearing ? Your best bet is to drop the tranny and just double check everything is in right correctly. I have/had a similar problem with my car and the tranny. I was told it could be the ISB or input shaft bearing so I just bought both the ISB and throw out to put them in but I haven't put them in yet - project is on hold since it under went another rebuild.

Good Day,
RH.

PS. My old thread for references: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=978050.

 

Damn that sucks man. You should pull that tranny back out and check everything. If you are grinding when trying to put it into 1st your clutch is not disengaging. At least check the clutch fork is not bent or broken.

 

fluid is too thick.