I don't know much about clutches... but car grinds going into third gear.. and its very hard to get it into first gear w/o fully stopping.. also. when i take off in first it feel like it starts off in third..it hesitates.. So i was wondering if I need a new clutch.. if so.. what kind of clutches do u guys recomend


02 black/black gt, 5sp, kenne bell 2.1 intercooled

 

It sounds like the syncros are shot, not the clutch. Unless the clutch needs to be adjusted. It could not be fully disengaging. But that would grind every gear. So I say syncros.

 

I say synchros also. But with your power, you will need to upgrade the clutch eventually. A Spec stage 2 or 2+ would work great for your setup

 

what is syncros?

 

Syncros are little cones in the transmission that match the teeth on the sleeves with the teeth on the gears in the transmission so it makes it easier to shift into gears. They basically syncronize the movement of the teeth, hence the name.

But I agree with ZW. With the transmission out might as well upgrade the clutch. I don't recomend putting in new syncros yourself, though. You need an experienced mechanic to do it. I've done it before, and it's a pain in the *** the first time or so.

 

I have almost the same problem. Mine grinds at times going into 2nd and 3rd.

How much does it cost to have the syncros replaced? Is there anything you can do to strengthen them upon rebuild?

 

I had the same problem with a Z-28 I owned. I put a centerforce clutch in it and somehow managed to put the throwout bearing in backwards. Yup, musta had a brain fart. Anyways super hard going into first unless I came to a complete stop and it still gave me trouble. 3rd and 4th were really tough and grinded a lil'bit. This was caused from the throwout bearing not pushing the clutch forks in enough. I would have to say your syncros are fine, but your forks are either bent or worn out on your clutch. The forks are alomst like springs that get compressed by the throwout bearing. If they lose their strength, wat your describing can happen. Usually the clutch plate wears first, but the forks can get worn out from holding the clutch in for extended lengths of time like at traffic lights or sitting in traffic!
I would pick-up on your clutch pedal and get all the slack out and see if anything improves. If anything improved at all even the slightest bit, your almost guaranteed it's your clutch. Syncros don't get any better no matter what you do.
Also, have you tried running the car through the gears without the clutch? I did this on my Z-28 and it shifted perfectly. That's how I knew something was wrong with my clutch install. This does take practice and you can damage your trans. if you do not know what you are doing. I suggest not doing this if you have never done this before, especially now with your issue.

 

I'll try when i get home.. I think ur right.. bc if it was the syncros i dont c why it would be so hard to go into first..

 

it is the synchros or the forks because there are many of them the ones that you damage while shifting are the ones that are affected. Come on paul dont you listen!!!

 

forks arent on the clutch covers. forks are comonly refered to as the shift forks which can sometimes get bent. it is very uncommon for the fingers on the diaghram to bend. it sounds like a syncro problem to me as it is only in selective gears. a clutch problem usually persists in every shift. try double clutching into the gears you commonly grind. if you dont grind when double clutching that usually means your syncros have gone bad.