steven975

I just got a 2003 after my 2001 was put into the grave by a DUI driver...

anyway, when shifting into 3rd, I can feel a little click when going into 3rd from 2nd.. It is not a grind or anything like that.

It goes away when the car is fully warmed up, though. Do you think some better fluid will fix this, or is this something I'll just have to live with? I double clutch when the tranny is cold so that I don't "click" it. BTW, the car has 16K miles.

xviper

I don't believe this is a problem. The 2-3 shift involves the stick going through 2 direction changes. When combined with a cold tranny, matching revs is more important but not necessary. Your syncros are doing the job for which they were intended (double clutching here is unnecessary). We have a close gated 6 speed and shifting can be a very "tactile" experience. After all, it is a mechanical device. When revs are matched perfectly, you will feel less than those times when revs are not matched perfectly. I think you are worried over nothing, but if it'll make you feel better about it, changing the fluid won't hurt anything and who knows, maybe it'll help in your case.

Lincolnc

Steven975,

My '05 has done that same click since day one. Did you change your fluid yet? Please let me know your results.

apex2k

My 03 did it when I bought it with 3,500 on the odo, with Honda MTF in it. I switched to GMSFM and nothing changed, I am now at a whopping 8,000. I know what you are talking about, you start to get some resistance from the stick as the synchros make contact and start to load up and do their job. Then, just as the stick falls the last half-inch to engage 3rd there is a slight "gritch" as the collar and cog hook up in the tranny. I have come to think of it as normal and have read about many others with the same issue, it has not gotten better or worse over the last 10 months. It is just a mechanical contraption doing what it is supposed to do and is really only noticeable with a very light touch on a slow shift. The S being set up the way it is we practically have our hand in the gearbox so we are bound to feel something. There is practically nothing (sound insulation, padding, driver-aids) between what the driver is doing and the car is doing, part of what makes it (or used to make it, pre-06) such a joy.