Here are some more tidbits offered via Q&A later in the thread:
I wrote this on Sunday and realize that I'm behind the thread already. I'll try to catch up.
Hi there,
I reread my post and probably wasn't descriptive enough. I'll try to answer some of the questions here and then during the week will post a new thread and some photos of the mainshaft and countershaft. I'm only on this BB a couple times a week, I'll try to get back more.
When driving with customers I have notice that they feel the need to shift very fast most probably because of the adrenalin flowing and the engine noise and the tach making so many orange light bars and to try to get back on the throttle as if in a competitive atmosphere. I have been able to make many transmissions grind by trying to shift too fast and bang it into gear.
If your transmission is grinding take it to the dealer, the dealer is under contract to repair problems that exist, thus the need to show the dealer that there is a problem. It is the dealers responsibility to prove to American Honda that there was a problem so that they can get paid. If you want something repaired because you had a friend get something replaced but it isn't bad on your car you will encounter resistance from the dealer.
Here are some of the Questions that were written:
>>VTEC Racer
Q. My question is though, why doesn't Honda just use stronger metals?
A. Good Question. I'm not a design engineer, just a ttom-of-the-totem-pole-service-engineer. The car is made to exact specifications. Definitely an option to change the spec. of the material.
>>Cyber Logic
Two questions for you.
Q 1. So what you are saying is give it an extra split second before shifting into second?
A 1. Yes, just a slight hesitation while going into 2nd with constant pressure. Don't stop the rearward motion of the shifter until there is resistance going into 2nd, then keep the same pressure until the synchro does it's job, when it is finished slowing down the mainshaft it will fall into 2nd gear.
Q 2. I have only had my car now for 1500 miles. It has prolly happened 10-20
times...should I take my car in because of the damage I have done to my tranny or
should the internals of the tranny probably have held up pretty well to have not hurt
anything.
A 2. My suggestion would be to drive the car, if the 2nd gear is damaged it will show. If you continue to drive the car, But take an extra half second to shift into second it might not grind. If it does, take it to the dealer and show them.
>>John MI blk/blk '01
Q What causes an occasional "catch" between 1st and 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd? The "catch" could be described as subtle (not a grind) but is annoying. Is this what people refer to as notchy? Seems to happen when ambient temperatures are high and just in low rpm normal driving. Clutch pedal is fully depressed. Every shift is like this: let the rrr's drop some, push clutch fully in, pull shifter slowly and pause briefly going through neutral position and wait for the transmission to give you a sign that it's ok to put it into the next gear. I wish I didn't have to concentrate so much on the shifting. This is my 6th Honda and my 3rd Honda with a manual transmission so I'm hoping that the transmission is just "breaking in" and eventually will shift like butter like other Honda's. My Honda has 4000 miles. Thank you for the insight.
A. The "Catch" or knotchy feeling is the synchros doing their job before they let you slide the sleeve into second gear. When the NSX came out with the knotchy triple cone synchros this was very noticeable. If you bring the rrrr's up then push in the clutch, then pull with constant pressure the shifter from first to second it will fall into second when the main shaft speed is the same as the second gear on the countershaft.
>>cdelena
Q. OK, it makes sense. But I shift to 3,4, and 5 at the redline and don't have a problem with grinds. And even though I had the TSB work done, when the transmission gets very hot I still get the 1-2 grind usually at 4-5K rpm.
A. C: You and I have talked about this transmission before, Every transmission has it's own personality (tolerance stacking) and will feel a little different than the next. If you look at the gear ratios in the FAQ you will notice that the other gears don't have as big a step as 1-2 does. This would explain that the difference in rotational speed is not as great for the 2-3, 3-4 shifts, therefore taking less time to slow down the mainshaft. If it grinds enough and you are ready to have the transmission removed, take it to the dealer.
Q. I understand the issues, I just don't think the box works like it should.. yet.
A. I'm not disagreeing with you. That's why I'm here trying to make things better. If it grinds, take it to the dealer and have them put in another 2nd gear and sleeve.
#4 cyl is still under investigation.
>>RandyP
Q This is an unacceptable band-aid for a design flaw! Fast shifting is essential in a car such as ours. If you read between the lines, he is saying that the synchro-pac TSB is not 100% effective at eliminating the grind. These 1-2 gear grinds are NOT driver error.
A You are entitled to your opinion on "design flaws" and reading between the lines.
Thank you for allowing me to be here, I have met a few of you and really enjoy your enthusiasm.
I'll be out of the office Monday, will reply to more later in the week.
Best regards,
Woodwork