I don't think it has anything to do with specifically the MY02's though

 

I have an '03 with 13k miles, when running it hard I sometimes get a 3-4 grind. Oddly, I didn't start to notice this until I switched to GMSMFM, I'm not saying that's what caused it to happen but it is something I did start to notice.

With the original Honda MTF in the car the 1-2 shift was very very notchy and I did experience a single 1-2 grind while running the car up to redline in 1st and then shifting into 2nd. The GMSMFM cured this but at the same time I began noticing the 3-4 grind, maybe its just me though. Overall, shifting feel is much better with the GMSMFM.

Like others have said, I try to get the transmission warmed up before I pull any driving antics. I'll also drive the car not shifting past 4th gear as long as possible, as 5th and 6th seem hard to shift into when the transmission is cold (I usually double-clutch these gears for the first few minutes of driving if I have to use them). As others have mentioned, with colder weather setting in I'm also noticing that the transmission feels more "stiff" than it did in the summertime. I still love every minute that I get to spend in the car.

 

I've grinded twice in 7k, not driver error i was going into second and metal to the floor and it grinded, it felt like the clutch wasn't engaged 100%, a few thousand miles later same thing, i was granny/normal shifting, it was at full operating temperature also.

there's a TSB technical service bulletine about the shaft not being properly lubricated,

 

does this tsb apply to our years? I couldn't find it..

 

yeah, it said 00-05

i saw it on alldata.com i have access to it cause of school, not sure if you can access it, try it.

 

40,000 miles. Not sure if it's car's fault or my fault..., I do occasionally have those gear grinds... though I don't recall having any recently... at least for the past year.

If it is the fault with the car, I'm pretty sure it's not a major problem. At least things did not get worse and worse. Most likely, it was my fault and I'm adapting to it better. I have a cable clutch Civic too. Sometimes I screw up on that car too! So what? I'm only human. 270,000 miles later, the Civic is still running on its original tranny.

Hopefully the S2k will last just as long even with my horrible shifting skillz.

 

Just checked out the site.
I couldn't access Honda TSB's without loging in/membership. would you be able to get more info? maybe a description or TSB #. Something we can bring to the dealership?

I'm sure it would help some of us.

 

Got a really good (?) grind going from neutral to first at the first stoplight I encountered this morning. But it was darn cold outside. Reminded me of my old MG-TF that lacked synchro in first gear. That kind of nostalgia I can do without.

Zeiss

 

The one time I did it was definitely driver error.

 

There is a reason that there are more cones in the syncro for 1-2 shift. It is because that is the largest change in gearing, hence the easiest to grind. If you are not griding every time you shift, then it is driver error. 2 easy ways to fix this problem and 1 thing that helps some. First to help, change your transmission fluid, this wont solve the problem, but helps ease the transmission into second more quickly.

Now solutions. First is SLOW DOWN your shifting from 1 to 2. In an ideal world you should be rev-matching on your upshifting every time you shift. So shift to nuetral, wait a sec or two, then shift to 2nd, this gives your syncros time to act.

2nd Solution. Double clutch from 1-2, to double clutch you do the following. Clutch in, shift to nuetral, clutch out, clutch in, shift to 2nd, clutch out. By letting the clutch out in between gears you bring the rest of the transmission up to speed (same as what the syncros do) which will help extend the life of your syncros, as well as eliminate the grinding. With practice this should only take a fraction of a second to perform. Also if you are worried about the wear and tear on your clutch spring having to push it in twice per shift, you can also not use the clutch on the shift to nuetral. So: shift to nuetral (no clutch), clutch in, shift to 2nd, clutch out.