I have a '98 GSR and the 3rd gear syncro seems to have gone bad. i can shift through every gear, but when i try to upshift into 3rd faster that 20mph and 1500rmp, it grinds bad. and i cannot down shift into 3rd over 25mph. if i want to use 3rd, i have to go, first, second, then nuetral before 20mph, and let it slow to 1500rpms or less and then shift. usually i just end up skippin 3rd all together. this has been goin on for a few months, i changed the tranny fluid, but that did nothing.... i hear that this is a farely common problem with honda trannies? a few different mechanics told me to just get a new syncro kit. (not really jazzed about for money's sake) but i also talked to a friend that said that there is a bolt that i can tighten inside the tranny that will fix it.

i dont really wanna go thru the effort of pulling the tranny out just to see if he is right. any thots or input would be greatly appreciated!!!!

thanks, Spike!!!

 

the blocker ring of the synchro assembly are worn out based on what your describing. The blocker rings are pushed/pressed toward the gear to make it spin the same speed before the synchro sleeve slides over onto the dog teeth of the gear and engages a specifit gear (this process happens during shifting). I would also make sure to check the shift rod and fork to make sure the problem isnt there before you move on to the syncro assembly.

 

i'll have to take a look at that and see!

Thanks, Spike

 

Have you tried changing the transmission fluid as a temporary fix?

 

My GSR tranny grinds 3rd, 4th or 5th anything higher than 3000rpm. Tranny fluid change did nothing, it had GM syncromesh in it already. I reserched and I have ordered a new tranny to aviod downtime in rebuilding. I will open up my old tranny and if cheap will rebuild it. Honda syncros are pricy but you can buy in the sponsers marketplace for cheap.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1085206

 

<U> In a case</U> where the blocker rings are worn out changing the fluid will make the grinding problem worse. See when you select a certain gear the inner part of the ring(syncro) is pressed over the collar of the gear and through <U> friction</U> it slows/matches the speed of the gear before it can shift to it. Friction, in this particular case will aid the ring to do its job. So fresh fluid will work against the already worn out ring.

 

^SilCiv2K thank you for the information, i have a similar problem the op has posted and was just about to change my tranny fluid and try some syncromesh.
what would u suggest be done, is this definately a bad rings problem or are you saying it could be one of the problems?

 

Make sure to rule out its not a cable/hydro adjustment /shift linkage problem before you move on to other things . Assuming yours grinds in 3rd gear also, you need to replace your 3rd/4th syncro set assembly (1 set for both gears), the dog teeth on the 3rd gear need to be checked over for wear also since its a possibility that they could of been damaged.

 

opposed to have to pull ur tranny to check dogteeth and blocker rings. change fluid for a maybe temp fix and stay out the grinding gear, and when you change the fluid which is the smart thing to do at this point look for gold colorish flakes those would be the dogteeth

 

More than likely this is the synchro going bad. But it would always be wise to check shift linkage, clutch adjustments to be sure. There won't be a bolt in the tranny that you can tighten to fix the problem, tell the guy that told you that he's wrong.

I would try and stay out of skipping from 2nd to 5th. If you can that is. If you need to use 5th, make sure you go 4th first. No sense in messing up other synchro hubs. Can't hurt 4th anymore since it's going to need replaced since 3rd and 4th are on the same synchro hub.

But yeah. Just change the fluid and see if you can make anything out of the old fluid.

Good luck. Trannies are a bitch.

 

the friction grooves inside the blocking rings are probably worn severely on 3rd. and your synchromesh on the 3rd gear sleeve is probably flattened. probably a combination of both.