Bad Synchros in 2002 WRX - about to 'confront' the dealer

[BD]

Hey, all.

I have an occasional problem with my 02 WRX's synchros. Didn't happen
for the first couple of years. Symptoms are:

Slowing down, going from second into first - and also moving from
Reverse into 1st after stopping - there is no resistance on the
shifter, and the gears are not synched. Result - *WHAM* of the gears.

I've done enough digging to establish that this is not unprecedented,
and that other people have had this problem.

I have an appointment with the dealer, to discuss the issue. What I
don't want to see happen is:

1 - dealer refuses to accomodate because the symptom cannot be
replicated at will;
2 - dealer accuses me of abuse.

I had an initial chat with them today, and the fellow seemed
accomodating enough.

Couple of questions:

-I gather that this problem is lessened with the 03s and newer, because
they used different components in the tranny. If I could *establish*
this somehow, I could perhaps get the dealer to swap out the tranny.

-Are there any other good resources aside from this group and NASIOC
forums, for me to establish a 'case' about this? The more people's
descriptions of the same exact issue I can dig up and have with me on
hand, the better chance I think I stand of the dealer cooperating.

Thanks!!!

BD

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Hey, all.

I have an occasional problem with my 02 WRX's synchros. Didn't happen
for the first couple of years. Symptoms are:

Slowing down, going from second into first - and also moving from
Reverse into 1st after stopping - there is no resistance on the
shifter, and the gears are not synched. Result - *WHAM* of the gears.

I've done enough digging to establish that this is not unprecedented,
and that other people have had this problem.

I have an appointment with the dealer, to discuss the issue. What I
don't want to see happen is:

1 - dealer refuses to accomodate because the symptom cannot be
replicated at will;
2 - dealer accuses me of abuse.

I had an initial chat with them today, and the fellow seemed
accomodating enough.

Couple of questions:

-I gather that this problem is lessened with the 03s and newer, because
they used different components in the tranny. If I could *establish*
this somehow, I could perhaps get the dealer to swap out the tranny.

-Are there any other good resources aside from this group and NASIOC
forums, for me to establish a 'case' about this? The more people's
descriptions of the same exact issue I can dig up and have with me on
hand, the better chance I think I stand of the dealer cooperating.

Thanks!!!

BD

You might conatc Brian at http://www.northursalia.com/contact/contact.html
at one time he had another site dealing with problems/warranty claims
that got shut down by Subaru I beleive. There are also a lot of links
there if you want to post at more enthusiast sites.

Carl

 

[BD]

Carl 1 Lucky Tex

You might conatc Brian at http://www.northursalia.com/contact/contact.html
at one time he had another site dealing with problems/warranty claims
that got shut down by Subaru I beleive. There are also a lot of links
there if you want to post at more enthusiast sites.

Thanks - just sent him a note!

 

[mulder]

Hey, all.

I have an occasional problem with my 02 WRX's synchros. Didn't happen
for the first couple of years. Symptoms are:

Slowing down, going from second into first - and also moving from
Reverse into 1st after stopping - there is no resistance on the
shifter, and the gears are not synched. Result - *WHAM* of the gears.

I've done enough digging to establish that this is not unprecedented,
and that other people have had this problem.

I have an appointment with the dealer, to discuss the issue. What I
don't want to see happen is:

1 - dealer refuses to accomodate because the symptom cannot be
replicated at will;
2 - dealer accuses me of abuse.

I had an initial chat with them today, and the fellow seemed
accomodating enough.

Couple of questions:

-I gather that this problem is lessened with the 03s and newer, because
they used different components in the tranny. If I could *establish*
this somehow, I could perhaps get the dealer to swap out the tranny.

-Are there any other good resources aside from this group and NASIOC
forums, for me to establish a 'case' about this? The more people's
descriptions of the same exact issue I can dig up and have with me on
hand, the better chance I think I stand of the dealer cooperating.

Thanks!!!

BD

In cases where they open the transmission and find damage to gears
such as stripped teeth, it's now SOA policy to deny warranty repair
due to abuse. However synchros are a different story, they will likely
cover it under the powertrain warranty as long as you are within the
5yr/60K period. The less modified the car, the better your chances of
not having any problem getting it covered.
Also note that some difficulties with first gear are considered normal
for these transmissions, they do not like to go into first while
moving especially once they get some miles on them. If you have not
done a gear oil change in a long time doing so may help.
From 02-05 the synchros in the WRX trans have not changed, supposedly
in 03 the gears were changed to the RA width but this has no effect on
the synchros. Don't expect a new or "updated" transmission, the best
you will probably get is an overhaul of the existing one with any worn
parts being replaced.

 

[BD]

Also note that some difficulties with first gear are considered normal
for these transmissions, they do not like to go into first while
moving especially once they get some miles on them.

Problem's partly that, and partly that sometimes it goes right into
first without the gear speeds synching up first

If you have not
done a gear oil change in a long time doing so may help.

As it happens, this next service point will include that.

From 02-05 the synchros in the WRX trans have not changed, supposedly
in 03 the gears were changed to the RA width but this has no effect on
the synchros. Don't expect a new or "updated" transmission, the best
you will probably get is an overhaul of the existing one with any worn
parts being replaced.

Good to know - thanks...

 

[Body Roll]

Problem's partly that, and partly that sometimes it goes right into
first without the gear speeds synching up first

Slam on the go pedal before downshifting as you disengage the clutch to
lessen the reliance on synchros.