WRX Manual Tranmission.....

P

Pbreed

I have a WRX with 33000 mi.
It has a transmission problem with 1st gear.
In searching the net I found 3 reports at the NHTSA website for WRX tranmission problems.
I also found several customer complaints on the web identical issues to mine.
(Goes into first hard sometimes makes grinding noises.)

I get the feeling that the Subaru people are going to play hardball about fixing this.

So I'd like to know if anyone else has had this sort of problem?


Paul
 
mine occasionally has similar noise when going into first or reverse,
with the clutch fully depressed, it still sounds like it is grinding - the
dealer has absolutely nothing to say about it.
 
I have a WRX with 33000 mi.
It has a transmission problem with 1st gear.
In searching the net I found 3 reports at the NHTSA website for WRX tranmission problems.
I also found several customer complaints on the web identical issues to mine.
(Goes into first hard sometimes makes grinding noises.)

I get the feeling that the Subaru people are going to play hardball about fixing this.

So I'd like to know if anyone else has had this sort of problem?


Paul

You forgot to mention the clutch judder.
I understand that balky first gear and the above
are 'characteristics' of the WRX....mine has 'em.
I find 1st gear difficult to select when moving
in cold weather...no problems at present.
Occasionally the clutch judders from cold but
then smooths out OK
I don't find it a particular problem and doubt
if it can be fixed anyway from what I've read on
the subject.


--
Clive Norris
Selectron (UK) Ltd
www.espguitars.co.uk
www.espshop.co.uk
www.mightymite.com
www.svetlana-tubes.com
www.emgpickups.co.uk
www.tube-shop.com
www.whirlwindusa.com
 
I have a 2002 WRX with this exact problem. I took the car into the
local dealer around March 03 (I only had ~8000 miles on the car) and
they have never heard of this problem (surprised?). Well, after a
little internet searching and printing, I took about 50 pages of
complaints to my local dealer for them to read. I also contact 3
other dealers in different city's and they all said a clutch kit would
fix this problem. After this, my local dealer suggested I get the
newer clutch kit that had stronger clutch bolts. Well, after I got the
car back, the clutch was very smooth, but I still have the problem
shifting into 1st. Here is how I can reproduce the problem.

1. Downshifting. 3rd->2nd, pop clutch, then 2nd to 1st, GRIND!!!
2. Reverse then go into 1st gear (esp when tranny is warm).
3. Another way is in a quiet garage, place the transmission in neutral
and leave the clutch out. You can actually hear the clutch spinning.
Now, quickly push in the clutch and put the transmission into 1st.
GRIND! This tells me it's a syncro problem.

This is a very frustrating problem with the WRX. It makes me wonder
what the life span will be for the transmission? I've kept complaining
to my local dealer but they are not capable of fixing this issue. I'm
thinking about contact the district service manager and complaining.
If I can demo the problem, you would think they can at least fix it!!!

I'm almost at the point I want to sell this car and go back to driving
a truck. I love the WRX, but this problem needs to be addressed. I
can't belive NO ONE at Subaru knows about this. I'm sure they know
about this bug, but are unwilling to admit it.

Please be sure to post any updates anyone finds. The more we complain,
the better the chances we have of getting it fixed.
 
Big snippage
I'm almost at the point I want to sell this car and go back to driving
a truck. I love the WRX, but this problem needs to be addressed. I
can't belive NO ONE at Subaru knows about this. I'm sure they know
about this bug, but are unwilling to admit it.

Please be sure to post any updates anyone finds. The more we complain,
the better the chances we have of getting it fixed.

Over at www.i-club.com or www.nasioc.com there's tons of stuff posted about
the tranny. The basic problem is that the WRX is using the same tranny,
albeit updated, as the Leone/Loyale series of Subies. There's just so much
torque a tranny can take, and the WRX's is pushed damn close to the limit,
if not a bit beyond. The big no-no for any WRX manual is anything that puts
a shock load on the tranny. Clutch drops, failure to match revs on
downshifts, trying to hurry the tranny, and generally shifting it like you
stole it will kill the 1st and 2nd gear synchros in no time. Another weak
point is prolonged full throttle pulls in third gear. The root cause is
case flex. The tranny case bends under the load a WRX motor is capable of
putting out (especially you modder types), this misaligns gears/synchros/you
name it and BAM. If you want the tranny to last, you'll have to burn some
clutch and shift only as fast as the mechanism will let you. Roll into the
gas instead of punching it.

As for the clutch judder "problem," it isn't really a problem. The clutch
friction material is very hard for long life and durability. As such, its
minimum operating temperature (at which it'll engage smoothly) is well above
what most cars see as ambient. So, it'll shudder in the mornings,
especially when moist/humid. Once everything is up to temp, all is peachy.
I've not brought mine in under the TSB for 2002 cars, mainly because I'm
afraid that the cure will be worse than the disease.

Happily, the 2005 (for the US) uber-Legacy will bring with it a new 5-speed
design. Since the STi 6-speed is too damn expensive for mass use, a new
5-speed will greatly improve the Legacy and the successor WRX.

The Captain
 
I have a 2002 WRX with this exact problem. I took the car into the
local dealer around March 03 (I only had ~8000 miles on the car) and
they have never heard of this problem (surprised?). Well, after a
little internet searching and printing, I took about 50 pages of
complaints to my local dealer for them to read. I also contact 3
other dealers in different city's and they all said a clutch kit would
fix this problem. After this, my local dealer suggested I get the
newer clutch kit that had stronger clutch bolts. Well, after I got the
car back, the clutch was very smooth, but I still have the problem
shifting into 1st. Here is how I can reproduce the problem.

1. Downshifting. 3rd->2nd, pop clutch, then 2nd to 1st, GRIND!!!
2. Reverse then go into 1st gear (esp when tranny is warm).
3. Another way is in a quiet garage, place the transmission in neutral
and leave the clutch out. You can actually hear the clutch spinning.
Now, quickly push in the clutch and put the transmission into 1st.
GRIND! This tells me it's a syncro problem.

This is a very frustrating problem with the WRX. It makes me wonder
what the life span will be for the transmission? I've kept complaining
to my local dealer but they are not capable of fixing this issue. I'm
thinking about contact the district service manager and complaining.
If I can demo the problem, you would think they can at least fix it!!!

I'm almost at the point I want to sell this car and go back to driving
a truck. I love the WRX, but this problem needs to be addressed. I
can't belive NO ONE at Subaru knows about this. I'm sure they know
about this bug, but are unwilling to admit it.

Please be sure to post any updates anyone finds. The more we complain,
the better the chances we have of getting it fixed.

i have had luck with topping off OEM tranny fluid with pennzoil/gm
"synchromesh". there's a bit more friction in it, and it helps the
synchros engage faster.

also, a lot of folks report excellent performance using redline
shockproof lightweight or superlightweight. i myself have no
experience, but i plan to in about 5k miles.

jm2c
ken
 
i have had luck with topping off OEM tranny fluid with pennzoil/gm
"synchromesh". there's a bit more friction in it, and it helps the
synchros engage faster.

also, a lot of folks report excellent performance using redline
shockproof lightweight or superlightweight. i myself have no
experience, but i plan to in about 5k miles.

jm2c
ken

Ken:
I took my WRX to the local dealer and they want me to bring it back on
Tuesday. They claim ANYONE that has had this problem has used the car
to Rally! Anyway, they agreed to take it for a test drive and see if
they can reproduce the problem.

I'm almost at the point where I want to sell it. I hate sitting at a
light and grind the gears like a new driver.

We bought this car exactly 1 year ago this week and it had 2000 miles
on it. It was a dealer demo car (I know, first mistake) for the first
2000 miles and if anyone rallyed it, they did. When we took it on a
test drive the sales man was real agressive saying this car is built
extra tuff to take hard driving. Now, the service department claims
that if you drive that way, your abusing the car. Needless to say, my
local dealer is crap (take a look at my e-mail address to figure out
who i'm talking about!!).

I'll stay on their ass till I get an answer. I'll be sure to post what
happens on Tuesday.
 
I WILL be buying a 2004 WRX in December. I was planning on the
manual trans but all of this talk of problems makes me think that the auto
might not be such a bad idea (other than my wife wanting to drive the
car more). I do not plan to race it, just play with it a bit. It will be a
drive daily car with some spunk. If I don't abuse it, will the manual
tranny be OK?

David
 
Ken:
I took my WRX to the local dealer and they want me to bring it back on
Tuesday. They claim ANYONE that has had this problem has used the car
to Rally! Anyway, they agreed to take it for a test drive and see if
they can reproduce the problem.

I'm almost at the point where I want to sell it. I hate sitting at a
light and grind the gears like a new driver.

We bought this car exactly 1 year ago this week and it had 2000 miles
on it. It was a dealer demo car (I know, first mistake) for the first
2000 miles and if anyone rallyed it, they did. When we took it on a
test drive the sales man was real agressive saying this car is built
extra tuff to take hard driving. Now, the service department claims
that if you drive that way, your abusing the car. Needless to say, my
local dealer is crap (take a look at my e-mail address to figure out
who i'm talking about!!).

I'll stay on their ass till I get an answer. I'll be sure to post what
happens on Tuesday.

mark, seriously, try out the syncromesh fluid. it worked very well on
my car:

http://www.pennzoil.com/TechData/Pd...ng/Gear&Transmission/pdf/SynchromeshFluid.PDF
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/oilstore/pensyn5gal.html

this is the same stuff:

http://www.5speedtransmissions.com/gm_syncromesh.html
http://www.angelfire.com/ms/brianberryhill/pgt/stf.html

personally i haven't gone back to the dealer since i drove it off the
lot. they keep sending me notices for service, but i do it all myself
and save my materials receipts (oil/filters/etc).

ken
 
The Edgleys said:
I WILL be buying a 2004 WRX in December. I was planning on the
manual trans but all of this talk of problems makes me think that the auto
might not be such a bad idea (other than my wife wanting to drive the
car more). I do not plan to race it, just play with it a bit. It will be a
drive daily car with some spunk. If I don't abuse it, will the manual
tranny be OK?

David

David:
From what I understand, the 04 WRX has a new transmission. So you
should be OK. I would not even think of buying a WRX in Automatic.
It's just too much fun shifting (even with the grind). Even if you
like to get a little agressive with the car, the transmission should
be able to take it without any ill effects.

So, an update on my situation. I took the car to my local dealer this
morning. I made sure the tranny was good and warm for the to test
drive. After the guy got back from the test drive, he told me he could
reproduce the problem. Now, he has to call Subaru to find out what
they need to do to fix it. I bet they will replace the first gear
syncro. Will update when I get more info.

Did get a chance to look at a WRX STI.. sweet car. I think if I had
the money to put towards the WRX, I would spend a little extra and get
a STI.

Mark
 
My local dealer is going to replace the first gear syncro next week.
Says it will take at least 4 days. Hope this fixes the problem once
and for all.

The question I have is, replacing the syncro is not fixing the problem
is it's a design limitation. Seems at best this will only mask the
problem till it appears again in a few thousand miles.

Oh well, ....

Well, got the car back tonight. The grinding (so far) is gone. I can
tell that a new syncro made an improvement. I'll continue to monitor
to make sure that replacing the 1st gear syncro is a valid fix.

Oh, the cost of this would have been $1,000 if I was outside the
3year/36K. Good think I still had the warranty.
 
Try double clutching to save your synchronisers..
Mark said:
(e-mail address removed) (Mark) wrote in message

Well, got the car back tonight. The grinding (so far) is gone. I can
tell that a new syncro made an improvement. I'll continue to monitor
to make sure that replacing the 1st gear syncro is a valid fix.

Oh, the cost of this would have been $1,000 if I was outside the
3year/36K. Good think I still had the warranty.
 
William S. Hubbard said:
Try double clutching to save your synchronisers..

No need, so far (knock on wood) the grinding is gone. I drove it all
weekend and so for not even once has the problem returned.

Anyway, double clutching is only a work around, not a solution.
 
I have now had my transmission repaired 4 times by my local dealer. My
transmision grinds when shifting from netrual to first gear at red lights,
(Im old so holding the clutch is a bummer). They have replaced the 1st
gear syncro, clutch, and pressure plate. It still has a problem about 50%
of the time. The real problem is that this only happened after they first
repaired a rattle in the transmission when using reverse. I do not shift
from 2nd into first so this I cannot comment on.

I have now contacted the district rep for repair and the district sales
rep to see what I can do. The dealership first accused me of beating this
car. But I insisted on inspecting the vechicle for other signs of abuse,
and because there were none they are currently fixing this under warranty.
They must have about 20 some odd hours into this so far not including the
cost of the rental and the parts. Remember they can tell abuse by the
color of the metal in the tranny, excessive heat puts a brownish color on
the various parts. Just be insistant and make them fix it! If they can.
 
dlstephenson said:
I have now had my transmission repaired 4 times by my local dealer. My
transmision grinds when shifting from netrual to first gear at red lights,
(Im old so holding the clutch is a bummer). They have replaced the 1st
gear syncro, clutch, and pressure plate. It still has a problem about 50%
of the time. The real problem is that this only happened after they first
repaired a rattle in the transmission when using reverse. I do not shift
from 2nd into first so this I cannot comment on.

I have now contacted the district rep for repair and the district sales
rep to see what I can do. The dealership first accused me of beating this
car. But I insisted on inspecting the vechicle for other signs of abuse,
and because there were none they are currently fixing this under warranty.
They must have about 20 some odd hours into this so far not including the
cost of the rental and the parts. Remember they can tell abuse by the
color of the metal in the tranny, excessive heat puts a brownish color on
the various parts. Just be insistant and make them fix it! If they can.
Try shifting to fourth and then to first. I somtimes have to do this on
my BMW. Or when you anticipate the light will change, push in the clutch
and let the transmission "spin down" for a few seconds before shifting.
Yea Yea, it ain't supposed to be like that, but sometimes it is easier
to work around a problem rather than deal with fixing it. For second to
first shifts, you may want to learn to heel-toe shift. Do a google
search to see what I mean. I think the problem with my BMW is a weak
syncro and a clutch disk that may be slightly hanging up on the
transmission shaft.

-Rob
 
For second to first shifts I have found that it works if I jab the brakes
during the shift enough to compress the front struts a little. I have no
idea WHY this works, but shifting the weight forward lets it slide right in
for some reason.
 
For second to first shifts I have found that it works if I jab the brakes
during the shift enough to compress the front struts a little. I have no
idea WHY this works, but shifting the weight forward lets it slide right in
for some reason.

Funny, I can shift from 2nd to first without depressing the clutch at
all.

Simply match the revs, and she will slide right in.

If that is beyond your capabilities, double clutch for the same end
result.

A synchro tranny should shift to first when the car is at a complete
stop without a problem. I'd guess pressure plate if not.

nate
 

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