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grinding in third

9

97GLblack

CEG'er
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
88
Location
Minnesota N-burbs
I recently got my 97 Gl 2.0/mtx on the road and noticed that when I shift in to third it makes a bit of a grinding. kind of like if you were to accidently shift from fourth to 3rd instead of fifth. any thoughts?
 
The third-gear synchro failure is a typical issue on this platform. It requires cracking open the transmission and replacing it.
 
Your 3rd gear synchro is probably shot. As Andy Bennett said, it is a common failure. The transmission will need to be rebuilt or replaced. How long you may ask? No idea. Each situation is different. However, better to do it sooner than later, because you could totally fry the tranny. There are probably loose pieces of metal roaming around inside your tranny that either caused your synchro to go out, or have resulted from the teeth being chewed up.
 
Andy Bennett said:
The third-gear synchro failure is a typical issue on this platform. It requires cracking open the transmission and replacing it.
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you are correct, however I have never seen this issue on a pre98 zetec before...

Before you get to drastic, try upgrading your trans fluid to Royal Purple Syncromax, see what that does for you, you can usually find it at Napa auto parts for aboutr $10 a quart, car takes 2.5 quarts(ish)

another good way to check the 3rd gear syncro is to double clutch into 3rd gear, to double clutch... basically when shifting from 2nd to third, push the clutch in like you are about to go from 2nd to 3rd but instead of going straight to 3rd, put the car in neutral, let the clutch out for a second, push the clutch back in, then put the car into 3rd.

basically you are adding shifting into neutral in between your 2nd and 3rd gear change. if the trans doesnt grind when you do that, it probably has to do with your syncro, which would require a trans rebuild, but like I said 3rd gear syncro issues I have only really seen on duratec contours, my 99 zetec had 174K miles on the original trans and it shifts smooth as butter.
 
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But weren't all the trannies the same? I mean, I know you still need to use a Zetec tranny for a Zetec and can't be interchanged with a Duratec and vice versa, but I thought internally they were still the same? :shrug: Maybe I'm mistaken, though...
 
zorrex said:
But weren't all the trannies the same? I mean, I know you still need to use a Zetec tranny for a Zetec and can't be interchanged with a Duratec and vice versa, but I thought internally they were still the same? :shrug: Maybe I'm mistaken, though...
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the pre98 differentials were made differently, they were stronger. Although I do know the syncros were a little different, I dont know HOW per say they were different
 
Well even so I would think the same thing applies here in that his tranny is grinding into third, meaning that the sychro is bad. There are probably teeth missing and/or have chunks out of them that are flying around the tranny lol.
 
i might not be totally shot..but is certainly on its way...upgrading fluid might buy you some time,same w/ maybe shifting from 2-4
 
I drove it for the third time today, I noticed that when I go from second to third I can push the clutch and if I rev it up to about 2k rpm before engaging 3rd it shifts very smoothly. I also noticed that It will go into the gear somewhat with out pushing the clutch in I can tap it up to the third position and get the grinding with my foot completely off the clutch, basically there is nothing stopping the shifter from moving into third but it won't engage unless the clutch is pushed down, or atleast I don't want to force it anymore to find out.
 
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