Grinding Gears?!

[spikevyxel]

Heres my deal. Three days ago i was driving home from work and i went to downshift into first and it grinded rather hardcore. Clutch was pushed in and everything and revs were pretty matched. Wouldnt go it. I thought it was a freak incident until today. I was driving around and it grinds everytime i go into first gear unless im going 5mph or less. Previously (for the past 3 months), i was sometimes stuck at lights for 5-10 seconds trying to get it into first gear from a stop, but it didnt grind.

whats wrong with my car... its a 95' KA, Se, no lsd, 5 speed, ~90,000 miles.

I was thinking either clutch could be fried ,although it doesnt slip really, or maybe slave cylinder not pushing in all the way.... but why only in first gear?
Could it be synchros?

Im really at a loss...

I'd appreciate any help.

Thank you.

[kandyflip445]

Most likely the 1-2nd syncro assembly is getting worn. You could try using a better transmission fluid like MT-90 and see if that helps out any. The best way to fix it would be to buy a new synchro assembly and install it. That would require you to pull the transmission and disassemble/reassemble it.

[Ricks15]

You know thats happening with me to but that is from 4-3 and 3rd-2nd. Any clue as to how much new new synchro assemblys cost for the KA tranny installed?

[kandyflip445]

Installed would be quite a bit. When I priced the 1-2 synchro it was around 150 about 2 years ago. Then you would have to add labor on top of that to pull the tranny and tear it apart and rebuild it and reinstall it.

[spikevyxel]

Assuming it is the synchros, which would make alot of sense, is it possible to stil drive the car safely as long as i don't downshift into first gear?

Thanks for the quick help.

Any other takes on rick and my situation?

[punxva]

well considering ive been driving around with my 2nd gear syncro going out for about a year now its pretty safe to say that u can drive it around safely, like you said just try not to downshift to it, also heres wut i do, if u really need to downshift, go like your going to put it into gear, and before it actually grinds, u will feel a good amount of resistance, what i normally do is start braking a bit to bring the speed down, and u will eventually feel the resistance lessen, then u can go ahead and downshift it, its a pain in the ass, but it works, i also havent gotten around to putting the mt-90 in so maybe that will help abit too.

[spikevyxel]

Ok thanks for your help guys, i really appreciate it. I think i might just buy a rebuild kit. I found one for $122 from autozone that comes with synchros and everything. Thanks again.

[kandyflip445]

Is it just the blocking rings or the whole synchro assembly? Is it just for the 1-2nd gear assembly? Also, if you haven't taken one apart before. DO NOT LOSE the little ball bearings that are with the inserts in the syncro assembly. You can use vaseline to hold shit in place. It will dissolve in the transmission fluid. If you can keep yourself from doing it don't move the sleeve around when taking the blocking rings out. That will keep the inserts and ball bearings in place.

[Ricks15]

Ive heard so I dont know but MT-90 and shockproof gear oil can both be combined when you replace you're tranny fluid. I guess the shock proof fluid is like a stabilizer for the MT-90 oil or is it?

[kandyflip445]

Personally I would just run MT-90. The only time I've heard of that is in that group buy or whatever. It might work from their experience. I've just never tried it and straight MT-90 has worked so I figure I don't need to fix what's not broken. If you do try it you could always run MT-90 one fill and then the next try it with that and see the difference and let us all know. I'd be interested in finding out from you.

[ilovecoupes]

you can always double clutch it