Tranny grind when cold

[BeatDaSHO]

I have a question about my tranny. I have an MTX and it has always been one of the nicest shifting tranny's i have ever used. Smooth and fast shifts every time. It is starting to get colder up here at Penn State and I have noticed that sometimes when shifting to second gear, it will sort of grind. Here is what happens. I start the car and let it warm up for a couple of minutes. I take off and then i try to shift to second and I can feel it in the shifter that it's kinda grinding. It will do this for a couple of mins but then it will go away and shift like butter. Do you think it's the blocking rings that are bad? Would I benefit from changing my fluid? Thanks for your help.

Greg

 

[fricker66]

I recall this being a common issue last year. I experience the same issue and have just started noticing it again with the cooler temps. If I recall, no one had a good diagnosis last year. I'm getting lined up to replace the clutch and refresh the tranny in the process. We'll see if that fixes my grinding problem. (replacement is for other reasons!) Currently, I find it best to shift into 3rd before shifting into 2nd when cold.

<small>[ November 20, 2003, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: fricker66 ]</small>

 

[betterman]

Same thing happens to me when the mercury heads south. After about 3 or 4 shifts it smoothens out though. I always wondered why it only happens from first to second though and not in any other gears.

 

[93EmeraldMTX]

mine did they and went away when i did a fluid change.

 

[SHO--ripper]

This happens to me also. It got a little better with the trans fluid change. I think it may be time for a rebuild. frown

 

[SHO_Driver]

Fluid change did not help my 2nd gear grind. But I did replace the blocking rings and clutch this year so I'm waiting to see if the grind is cured this winter. I agree with fricker66: shift from 1st to 3rd until the tranny warms up.

 

[fricker66]

Last year I did a fluid change with no relief. Used the factory recommended Type F w/ the FFM. For the ones who did a fluid change, what replacement did you use?

 

[MyFirstSHO]

I've just noticed the same thing recently. Only shifting 1st to 2nd when its really cold out. But mine doesn't make a grinding sound, but you can FEEL grinding, more like notchyness, in the shifter as i'm shifting into 2nd from 1st. And only for like 3 or 4 shifts just like betterman said. Does yours actually make a grinding sound as you are shifting?

 

[fricker66]

The grind is audible but inside the car it's more of the feel coming through the shifter. It's not as audible as a grind into reverse. However, I'm sure you could hear the 1-2 grind outside of the car.

Am I seeing a trend here with early SHOs? An 89 started the post and several other 89s have posted the same problem. Wonder if this has anything to do with the all brass blocking rings? According to Josh at SHONut, the later style rings have a paper backing to them and have shown much better wear than the first style of rings. Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[MyFirstSHO]

Thats exactly what i was thinking fricker66. Every single one here is an 89, 90, or 91. With 2 exceptions one 92 and one 93. Mine doesn't make a grinding sound YET, but I bet im not too far away from it.

 

[JaySHOguy]

Heh. May as well join the rank of the grinding '89's headbang .

It is the worst when the tranny is cold. Sometimes my shifts are smooth, but I have noticed it is getting harder to shift into 1st gear sometimes also. Changed my fluid with Mobil 1ATF about 5k miles ago.

 

[wild01ride]

My 2001 Mustang GT did this since day one (three miles at delivery). It was exactly as everyone has described here and was only in cold weather and only until the trans warmed up.

I agree that it's bizarre and frustrating because even if you just put light pressure on the stick and wait for it to go into gear itself, it doesn't go without a fight- then, once the trans is warmed up, it shifts like a beauty.

Go fig???

 

[BeatDaSHO]

Yeah, I think it definately is a trend with the Gen 1 SHO's. It doesn't actually make the grinding sound as to where if you missed a shift and grinded, but instead you feel it in the shifter. I guess you could call it really notchy. But after about 3 or 4 shifts, it returns to normal. Weird.

Greg

 

[fricker66]

To add to the mystery, mine is at it's worst with the initial shift out of first. I only have a few stoplights before getting on the interstates, but once I get past that initial shift into 2nd, I'm good to go. I have found that upon leaving the garage, if i go ahead and shift into 2nd (at idle, clutch depressed) then back to 1st for takeoff, that will usually keep me from grinding with the next few shifts. Once the tranny is "warmed" there's never an issue.

I am in the process of getting the clutch replaced as my car is showing the dreaded TOB failure. However, I don't believe that this is the root cause of the 1-2 grind as my car has had that problem for several years now. Just recently has the TOB been causing problems. Josh at SHONut shared some of his experiences with the MTXs (faster wear on the rings in 89 than later years) and I'll be doing a tranny refresh while doing the clutch job. I hope to be able to report back soon with no more shifting problems!!!

<small>[ November 21, 2003, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: fricker66 ]</small>

 

[SHO--ripper]

Is there any harm done by 1st to 3rd shifts?

 

[SHO_Driver]

fricker66:
Last year I did a fluid change with no relief. Used the factory recommended Type F w/ the FFM. For the ones who did a fluid change, what replacement did you use?

I tried a synthetic Type F.

 

[SHO_Driver]

fricker66:

Am I seeing a trend here with early SHOs? An 89 started the post and several other 89s have posted the same problem. Wonder if this has anything to do with the all brass blocking rings? According to Josh at SHONut, the later style rings have a paper backing to them and have shown much better wear than the first style of rings. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Well when I took apart my MTX I found that it been opened once before and the brass rings had been replaced by the paper lined rings. But they were definately worn out. I suspect the 1-2 synchro is worn but wasn't able to find a replacement before I closed up.

So far with the new blocking rings and clutch there has not been any grinding.

 

[SHO_Driver]

SHO--ripper:
Is there any harm done by 1st to 3rd shifts?

Not if you take it easy and avoid lugging the engine. Just shift at a higher than normal rpm so you don't fall below 2K in 3rd.

 

[fricker66]

Let me be clearer on my 1st to 3rd shifts. I'm not skipping 2nd gear while accelerating. I've found that if I shift to 3rd, then down to 2nd, all with the clutch depressed I can go without the grind.

Just received al the replacement parts today. Hope to report back with good results soon!