7arpad7

Dang it... I had a 3550 that had replaced the original t-45, before getting a new TKO-500... Short background...The 3550 transmission was grinding every time I threw it into 3rd gear... found the TSB and looked up how much for the parts... was going to be 1300 dollars... opted for the TKO, because I heard good things about it... Installed the TKO among other things in a time frame of about 6 months before finding that there is a slight "gear" sound in all gears, but pronounced in reverse... Warrantee was only for 3 months, so I figured that I need to live with it... Now, the bastard is grinding when I throw it into 3rd gear at high RPMs (above 5,000)... And now I am pissed off...

Could this grinding be caused by something else besides the synchronizers?

97targa

Sounds like the person shifting it! You can't throw the shifter sideways, you're suppose to actually create an up motion then a side motion and then an up motion from 2nd to 3rd gears! You can wear out the syncro if that's not done. Most people jam it stright to 3rd from 2nd and that's not correct. They think it saves them shifting time, not necessarily true if your used to it! Anyways try changing the fluid out and putting in Full Synthetic with an additional additive for friction components like Marvel or Lucas! That may help you out. Also try adjusting your shifter? You may have it out of adjustment!

7arpad7

I may try the addatives... but the transmision is only about 3,000 miles old, so I can't see changing the fluid which is synthetic already... My other car has a T-45 and is still perfect after 67,000 miles, so I don't think that it's my technique (the 3550 was grinding when I bought the car)... What kind of shifter adjustment are you talking about? I know that the T-45 and the 3550 have adjustable stops for the shifter that can be dialed in to keep from over extending the shifter, but the TKO has internal stops. I did a clutch adjustment just a couple of weeks ago... ???

grabbem88

i have a tko 500 as well...just to add to this...let it find 3rd...don't make up your motions...if you don't notice when in 2nd gear while giving it gas the shifter actually moves over to anticapate 3rd...mine makes a high pitched grind when i'm sloppy with it..yes the built stops are fine...they have told me the pro 5.0 sucks with there trannies...go steeda..or keep it stock...


also i shift at 6500 power shifting it with no clutch...