occasional grinding from 5-spd

[acranox]

I've got a 1987 Honda Accord with a 5 speed manual. Most of the time when going in reverse I can hear what sounds like grinding as I'm letting the clutch out to engage the gears. Sometimes it also does this in first gear. It seems that if I'm using a little extra gas, usually when I'm on a hill or something I'll get some grinding as the gears start to engage when I'm letting the clutch out. If I shift to neutral and back to first, it usually doesn't do it again.

Anyhow, I know my transmission is dying, but it's not a huge concern, it's an old car, and I think it'll take a while before first is useless, but I'm wondering if there is a fluid that might help prolong the inevitable.

It's got Honda MTL in there now, and over the summer I used some Auto-RX for about 1000 miles in the transmission, but that made no difference to anything.

thanks.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by acranox:
I've got a 1987 Honda Accord with a 5 speed manual. Most of the time when going in reverse I can hear what sounds like grinding as I'm letting the clutch out to engage the gears. Sometimes it also does this in first gear.

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It sounds like you had already moved the shift lever, then got the noise when you let the clutch pedal up. If that's the case, then you likely didn't have the transmission all the way into reverse or 1st. Be sure you get the lever all the way into gear. If you are pushing the lever all the way to the stop (don't force it, ever), there is work around. Shift into 1st or reverse quickly using the full travel of the lever.

If the grinding is while you are still moving the lever, then it's another problem.

 

[drive it forever]

Manual transmission noise is caused mostly by 4 things. 1 oil leval is low. 2 wrong oil used. 3 gear(s) worn or damaged I.e. chipped gear(s). 4 bearing(s) worn or damaged, more common then you might think, lets the parts mot mate properly like say from the mainshaft to the output shaft. Auto-rx cant help chipped gears or shot needle .bearings

 

[JHZR2]

sounds to me like your synchronizers arent working properly, either because of an improper fluid being in there, or maybe a low level.

My GF's acura trans is terrible compared to my bmw and saab trans, so it may be partially the nature of the beast.

JMH

 

[drive it forever]

The above statement from me is for when you are mainly driving and not shifting. synchronizer rings (baulk rings) that are worn can cause hard shifting, which in turn makes for sometimes a hard and grinding experience

. A good mechanic would look at the clutch operation and check the shifter linking and condition of the transmission oil before digging deeper (in to your wallet).

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by acranox:
Hmm...you are probably right.
It grinds after I've shifted, and it does feel like the gear isn't fully engaged...actually, in first sometimes you can feel it either pop out a little or pop in and catch fully.
Can something be adjusted?
I'll try your suggestion to shift quickly. The issue is intermittent, so it's tricky to figure out what effects it or not.

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I don't think anything on an Acura manual trans is adjustable. Work on your shifting technique, quick and full stroke into those gears and observe what happens. If you are able to develop the right technique, you might get a couple of more years out of the transmission.

Even though it doesn't sound like a clutch problem, it would be good idea to check it. Also verify whether or not there is any transmission linkage adjustment.

With the car stopped, slowly shift back and forth between 1st and reverse without letting the clutch pedal up. If you don't get any grinding going into reverse, your clutch adjustment should be OK.

 

[acranox]

Hmm...you are probably right.
It grinds after I've shifted, and it does feel like the gear isn't fully engaged...actually, in first sometimes you can feel it either pop out a little or pop in and catch fully.
Can something be adjusted?
I'll try your suggestion to shift quickly. The issue is intermittent, so it's tricky to figure out what effects it or not.

 

[mechtech]

I'm not positive, but I don't think you have a synchronized reverse gear. Many transmissions have these same symptoms. They can take a few tries to get into reverse smoothly.
Make sure you have a trans full of good fluid, and that your clutch is adjusted for full travel[full disengagement], and proper freeplay. Putting the car into another gear before trying to engage reverse often helps.