3000GT VR4 Infamous Synchro Problem and poss. Solution
Chris Brooks
and transfer case were replaced because of faulty synchros in 3rd and 4th.
The reason the transfer case was replaced, I am told, was because I had the
old version where the output shaft would spin the teeth off, and that the
new version of the output shaft would not fit my old transfer case.
According to what I have read this much is true. Now, the new transmission
only has 10,000 miles on it, and the 2nd gear synchro is shot. It has been
less than 12 months, and 2000 miles under 12,000. Under warranty, right?
Wrong! The Mitsubishi district rep told me that the car was not designed to
be shifted from 1st to 2nd at anything above 4000 rpm. When I said I wanted
to come down there and talk to him before he left, he said he couldn't wait
the 15 minutes it would take me to get there, and left. I called the
factory (again) and told them what he said, and asked them if they really
were telling me that their "competition for the 300ZX TT " really couldn't
be driven the same way. He just said "the factory rep has determined that
Mitsubishi cannot help you". I told him that that really didn't answer my
question, but I could see that I was not getting anywhere. He told me he
would have the guy who said this call me and explain it to me. I haven't
heard from him yet.
Anyway, I bought a used tranny from a 91, so I could tear it down and find
out what the problem is. I am not that experienced with manual
transmissions, but my friend is an ASE certified Master Mechanic, who also
teaches i-Car classes dealing with manual transmissions (along with every
other i-Car class avaliable). After looking at the synchros, he determined
that they just aren't adequate to speed up, or slow down a gear spun by an
engine running at 7,000 rpm. He said the weight of the car shouldn't
matter, since the gears needing to be sped up or slowed down weren't
actually attached to the driven or driving shafts. More than anything, he
told me, the weight of the gears themselves spinning at that speed, was the
cause of the synchros going out.
Currently, we are working on designing a better synchro than can handle the
high rpm of the 3000GT engine, but so far it looks like we'll have to have
new gears made that are lighter than the old ones. I have talked to just
about everyone about racing parts for this tranny, but no one seems to have
any answer besides "Getrag doesn't make parts". I even found that the BMW
325ix has a similar 440 series Getrag, but that synchros aren't available
for that either (And who knows if they'd work anyway).
I believe my situtation is unique here, because I have a 5-speed that is
still under warranty. I can see how it might be hard for someone to get
this problem fixed, even though it seems to be caused by a poorly engineered
product, when the warranty is up. So, I figured that since I have read so
many posts about synchro problems, that if I talked to lawyer about filing a
class action law suit, it might help everyone with the same problem I have.
So, I'd like to hear from anyone who's tranny grinds gears when shifting,
and would like to have their name in the lawsuit.
Sorry about the length, but I didn't just want to say "Mitsubishi sucks,
let's sue them!" without an explanation. Also, I don't really think its
Mitsubishi that's the problem. But I do think that its their duty to get
Getrag to fix this problem for their customers.
Any inquiries can be sent to me at 300...@fuse.net
Thanks for "listening"!
Chris Brooks
Ninerfan
You are not alone in the poor response you received from Mitsubishi (see my
post, "The Whole Story," for my story). We are presently putting together a
web site where people can tell their stories, and we'd love to have yours.
Please e-mail it to marg...@wizsys.com , and make sure it's exactly the
way you want it because we won't edit it at all.
--
Ninerfan
Chris Brooks <300...@fuse.net> wrote in message
news:79d1nk$g09$1...@remarQ.com...
Duane L Herrick
Hello ,
I have a 94 SL and once and a while I get grinding . Usually 3rd gear
when I am turning some RPMS .Only when up shifting . And My reverse
grinds alot , when sitting still .
Lee (dher...@mindspring.com )