02 WRX Wagon - Grinds shifting to first gear.
Dean G. Connell
Hi folks,
Having done some research via groups.google.com, I am aware that other
people are having problems with the first gear synchro in the WRX. I'm
about to take my car into the dealer for its 15K service and I'd like to
know if anyone else is having problems as severe as mine.
It seems common for people to have problems getting the car into first when
moving at anything quicker than a walking pace. When I do so myself, I'm
rewarded by a grinding noise if I don't ease the car down into gear VERY
slowly. What I find more irksome is the fact that my transmission refuses
to go gracefully into first from a complete stop as well.
At lights, I come to a complete stop, put the car in neutral and take my
foot off the clutch pedal. When the light changes, I push down on the
clutch pedal and shift into first gear. If I don't ease it into gear very
slowly, I'm rewarded by the same grinding noise. This is a problem if you
don't anticipate the light and have to get the car into gear quickly to
avoid holding up traffic. I've never had this problem with cheaper cars
costing half what my WRX Wagon cost me. It's simply not acceptable.
I'm dreading the trip to the dealership. I expect to be accused of driving
the car abusively or have some idiot indicate that this is normal behavior
if the transmisions is "rushed." The car has been treated very well, I
don't race it and I rarely do more than hustle it around the sharp curves
available on the back roads near my house. I would certainly appreciate
any pointers on how to deal with the infamously difficult SOA advisors.
I would also like you to provide your .02 cents if you are having problems
similar to mine. I'd like to print this thread out and present it to the
dealer when I take the care in for service. I plan to provide a copy of
the long term test report article one magazine ran where they indicated
similar problems. Hopefully this will get my problem the attention it
needs before I have no first gear remaining.
Thanks in advance for your attention and any responses you offer.
Dean Connell
West Chester, PA
02 WRX Wagon
dundo
Same problem. 2002 WRX wagon + short thrower. 11000 miles. I posted this
question to this newsgroup already but never got any response. I also
have issues shifting from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 2nd in first 10 minutes of
driving. Guys at service said they couldn't find any problem. Don't know
what to do. If I've not been driving stick shift performance cars for
last 15 years I would say it's me doing something wrong. There's
definitely some issue with either clutch or gearbox. Seems to me service
people don't want to admit it.
zeta
the warrantee / engine transmission section for many other stories. And
don't take any sh t from the dealer about abuse etc.. if you don't abuse it.
The transmission is weak but it would cost them too much to replace them
all, you will probably have to push for whatever you get out of them.
dundo <du...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.18a9fa5f7...@news-server.nj.rr.com...
Evets
after 8500 miles (no, I don't drive much), first is starting to graunch a
bit. Seeing as how I have so few miles, and knowing that I don't abuse my
car in the least, this concerns me. Many many many other folks have posted
at nasioc (as zeta stated), so do some research before you go in. I recall
lots of people stating there are new clutch assembly pieces that are
upgrades from the originals, and that it's a dealer to dealer type of
situation regading whether or not they'll do the work under warranty.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Steve
"zeta" <j...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:v40d5t3...@corp.supernews.com...
zeta
transmission that were changed for the 03 model year i believe. My dealer
knew all about them and volunteered the info that they could be bad even
before I took the car in. If one dealer is not helping go to another.
There seems to be a big difference amongst them.
good luck
Evets <the...@foo.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:06X%9.437$fl5...@news.bellsouth.net...
David Betts
wrote:
>Having done some research via groups.google.com, I am aware that other
>people are having problems with the first gear synchro in the WRX. I'm
>about to take my car into the dealer for its 15K service and I'd like to
>know if anyone else is having problems as severe as mine.
Here we go again. No problems in the rest of the world in a car that
has been in production for years. Either people are making up stories
to try and extort money or the cars are being abused by heavy-handed
drivers in the US. Pathetic.
David Betts
dav...@motorsport.org.uk
Rocco Nicotra
gearbox under warranty. They told me the first gear synchro had premature
wear on it because Subaru stuffed up when they built it. Seems fine again
now.
rocco
ps. I'm in Australia.
"David Betts" <dav...@motorsport.org.uk> wrote in message
news:1pf14v4l8krj48q2i...@4ax.com...
Advantra1
problems. Must be the drivers.
dundo
says...
I don't think there's drivers issue here. Maybe that's your personal
opinion on US drivers in general. The fact is they prefer automatic
shifts but that doesn't mean that the others who are skilled with manuals
don't know how to use it properly and recognize problems. I'm not
American but European, stick shift is the only one I've been using and in
my 15 years of driving I've changed five cars. Mini Cooper (older model),
Renault GT Turbo, Lancia Delta Integrale, Peugeot 205 GTI and Ford Sierra
Cosworth. All of them were driven in rally championships and none of them
was ever showing any problem with clutch/gearbox. There is definitely
some issue with Impreza. I love this car and that's why I decided to buy
it but problems deserve to be exposed. It's a shame that Subaru doesn't
want to admit it.
Shigoune
You know David I used to have some respect for you but that's
dwindling fast. You do not get the same car in the UK that we get
here. If it was exactly the same it could just be brought over and it
can't.
The problem many people rae having with the shifter is quite normal.
If they run Redline fluid in it it will go away. many people won't put
in Redline because of the dealers giving them the warraty is void
line.
Also you do not live in the USA but you make a lot of presupmtions
about the way cars are dealt with here. I've been to the UK many times
but I've never bought a car there. How many cars have you bought in
the USA?
The WRX does have problems with first gear syncro's you have to be
going very slow to engage first from 2nd gear. Look at US Autocrossing
sites SCCA etc... and read up on it.
You paint with such a broad brush against the USA.
There is nothing to be gained by having the car at the dealer for a
couple of weeks while they fix it and you have to drive around in a
Geo Metro for that time. Also not ALL US drivers are heavy handed
that's a gross generalization. Would you like it if Americans said all
Britsh were like the characters on Monty Python?
Also to address the car popping out of reverse for no reason. Yes that
happens. Not just to Subaru but BMW and other makes as well.
I do not know what causes it but it does happen and it's not as many
have speculated that someone is going too fast in reverse.
I believe it's an adjustment needed in the tranny.
You need to back off on bashing US drivers. Your White van drivers
make us look like saints even in Massachusetts and New York!
Dean G. Connell
> Same problem. 2002 WRX wagon + short thrower. 11000 miles. I posted this
> question to this newsgroup already but never got any response. I also
> have issues shifting from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 2nd in first 10 minutes of
> driving. Guys at service said they couldn't find any problem. Don't know
> what to do. If I've not been driving stick shift performance cars for
> last 15 years I would say it's me doing something wrong. There's
> definitely some issue with either clutch or gearbox. Seems to me service
> people don't want to admit it.
I neglected to mention that I have the short throw shifter as well. This
shouldn't matter, synchromesh should work regardless, but it does appear to
be a common thread. Thanks a lot for your reply, I'll post my experience
with the dealership. If you do a google search on WRX long term you will
find a Car & Driver test report that indicated a similar problem with their
longterm test car. Might be worth printing and taking to your dealer.
Dean
Dean G. Connell
I learned to drive in a car with a manual transmission. I then spent 3
years in the Canadian Forces as a mechanic. In the 16 years I have been
driving, I've owned nothing but manual transmission vehicles. None of
them, not even the worse of the junkers I owned, ever had a problem like
this. I suggest you take your inflated opinion of yourself, your driving
ability and your country and choke on it. Consider yourself dismissed,
twit.
Dean Connell
02 WRX Wagon
Ben M
with my 02 WRX wagon. The dealer here (Saunders in Victoria, BC) told me a
stronger replacement part for the clutch assembly will soon be available,
under warranty, to address this very complaint. I doubt Subaru would go to
these lengths just to compensate for "heavy-handed drivers". Any more bones
to pick, David?
Ben M
"David Betts" <dav...@motorsport.org.uk> wrote in message
news:1pf14v4l8krj48q2i...@4ax.com...
Alan Peterman
>The WRX does have problems with first gear syncro's you have to be
>going very slow to engage first from 2nd gear. Look at US Autocrossing
>sites SCCA etc... and read up on it.
Actually it's SOME of the US cars that have a problem. My 2002 WRX was in the
first allocation delivered in March 2001, so I'm coming up on 2 years with it.
It shifts into first anywhere under 30mph easily with no problems - though it's
VERY rare that I try it over about 10-15mph. I've done a couple of track days
and a few autocrosses, so I've not babied the car. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I
suspect the problem rate in the vehicles for the hard/crunchy shifting is less
than 25% based on the friends who have the same car with no problems.
Frank
brass rings in the synchros that are supposed to make the gears mesh smoothly.
Shifting depends upon having exactly the proper mechanical tolerance between
these rings and the synchro cones that they mesh with. Too tight, or oil too
thick, and the synchro "siezes" so you cannot shift (this is the hard shifting
problem when cold) Too loose, and you "beat" the synchro (it doesn't match
speeds quickly enough) and the gears grind.
Tight synchros can be corrected by carefully breaking them in, unfortunately,
too loose requires replacement - thicker oil might help for awhile though.
The dealers really should replace them. Maybe "request" that the mechanics
drive with you and "demonstrate" a quick shift without grinding?
Good Luck,
Frank
zeta
different car in a different country is ridiculous. I have driven may
manual transmission cars, and although I love the wrx, its transmission is
one of the worst. And it sucked from the day I bought it new. It has
nothing to do with driver error or abuse.
David Betts <dav...@motorsport.org.uk> wrote in message
news:1pf14v4l8krj48q2i...@4ax.com...
Shigoune
wrote:
When I say the WRX I do not mean to imply every single one of them but
U have heard from many people who own them as well as those that
autocross them that it does not like dropping down to first at any
real speed, something in autocross you need to do to keep the revs up.
Redline is supposed to help this problem. My service for the tranny
filter is coming up soon and I'll be having Redline added when they
change the filter.
If 25% of a vehicle has a problem then it is a very real problem. I
don't know what's causing it but sticky sychro's or whatever it is is
an annoyance but not a safety issue.
I also have the reverse issue on my WRX and I just let up the the
clutch a bit and it goes in no problem so in my mind there is probably
something that needs adjusting internally.
Also remember just because you do not have this problem does not mean
that it does not exist. David Betts has that attitude and he's wrong.
Evets
Makes me chuckle as I contemplate the dental deficiencies of so many of our
friends in the UK. (stereotype? perhaps, but there's a kernel of truth
therein)
Back on topic, I personally have owned and driven manual tranny cars for 20+
years now (first was a super sporty 1977 Dodge Omni), and, including the
several pickup trucks I've owned (also all manuals), this WRX is the first
to exhibit such odd shifting behavior so early in its lifespan. Time will
tell, as will recall bulletins, though given the tiny market share of Subies
in the US, that might not happen. Simple economics, as far as FHI is
concerned.
Let's hope Dean gets the resolution he deserves, and that the rest of us (if
we decide to go to the dealers) find the same success.
Steve
"zeta" <j...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:v432u35...@corp.supernews.com...
David Betts
>On Wed, 05 Feb 2003 11:05:13 -0800, Alan Peterman <a...@dsl-only.net>
>wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 05 Feb 2003 14:11:44 GMT, Shigoune <Shig...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>The WRX does have problems with first gear syncro's you have to be
>>>going very slow to engage first from 2nd gear. Look at US Autocrossing
>>>sites SCCA etc... and read up on it.
>>
>>
>>Actually it's SOME of the US cars that have a problem. My 2002 WRX was in the
>>first allocation delivered in March 2001, so I'm coming up on 2 years with it.
>>It shifts into first anywhere under 30mph easily with no problems - though it's
>>VERY rare that I try it over about 10-15mph. I've done a couple of track days
>>and a few autocrosses, so I've not babied the car. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I
>>suspect the problem rate in the vehicles for the hard/crunchy shifting is less
>>than 25% based on the friends who have the same car with no problems.
>
>When I say the WRX I do not mean to imply every single one of them but
>U have heard from many people who own them as well as those that
>autocross them that it does not like dropping down to first at any
>real speed, something in autocross you need to do to keep the revs up.
If we're talking about competition use (ie auto-test) then that
clearly counts as abuse against a warranty claim. Auto-testing wrecks
transmissions. If you're going to auto-test, clearly you need to
budget for competition quality transmission oil, frequent oil changes
and the occasional gearbox rebuild.
David Betts
dav...@motorsport.org.uk
Shigoune
I won't get too into our Auto-X here if you want a link then I can
provide one for my region and for the record Subaru was giving out
SCCA memberships when you bought a WRX. That would make them denying a
claim a bit tougher although I'm certain there is fine print
somewhere.
I myself have been unable to autocross for 2 years for medical
reasons. So my WRX has not been out there but I drive it daily and it
does not want to shift down to 1st gear over like 10mph at most.
I also son't know what an auto-test is. Can you provide a link?
I know the UK version off autocross is significantly different than
ours. Ours does not wreck tranny's anymore than spirited driving on a
back road or in city driving when you are in a serious hurry. Not that
I condone driving that way but I see it everyday.
Real competition is a whole other matter. In Autocross here people
drive their cars to the event and it's far less taxing on the cars
than the track days you have in the UK.
JamesC
"David Betts" <dav...@motorsport.org.uk> wrote in message
news:g2444v8569nk87vm2...@4ax.com...
Mike Ryan
don't get the grinding when shifting, it is very hard to shift into first at
any speed other than a dead stop. this is particular bad in cold weather. as
to our driving styles I've been driving manual cars since the mid 60's and
have owned many cars that I've put over 150,000 miles without ever having to
touch the transmission! that includes 2 vw scirocco's (talk about bad
transmissions.) and yes I do drive the car, hell it's not a car for the
geriatric set is it? oh by the way I'm in the us now but am originally from
Chelmsford England so I guess by your reasoning I should be able to shift
without breaking my bloody car you ass.
"Evets" <the...@foo.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:6_l0a.1795$KE3.613@FE10...
dundo
mr...@apexengiinc.com says...
You're right Mike. This is just a duo of plonkers trying to act smart....