What's the lowdown on Second gear?

[David Ceruti]

Why is the shift from first to second on my G50 such a pain in the Ass?

I've got all the other up - and - down shifts down pat but this one still eludes me. Is it technique or something in the synchro design? Can the synchros be upgraded without breaking the bank?

I've already changed the oil to Castrol synthetic (couldn't get Mobil 1) and that made a slight improvement. I also put fibre washers behind the shifter yoke bolts (on the rubber doughnut under the inspection plate) This gave me more feel but didn't solve the second gear problem.

What the F%*# can I do now??

[billy911]

Double clutch on the downshift to second help's mine drop right in, otherwise I have to kinda force it down. As for the 1st-2nd I find it smoother if I shift at a little higher rpm's, i.e. at 3K it can be a little balky, but take it to 4k before going to second and it's much smoother. I've got a 915 which is a little different, but you might try this anyway. Maybe you just need new synchro rings on 2nd gear?

[David Ceruti]

I've tried al the ways of shifting known to man (or to me at least) - double clutching with and without a dab on the throttle, racing changes, snap changes etc etc. under 2 1/2 to 3 thousand revs, it changes nicely, above that ther is no way it will go in quickly - it balks until the revs drop right down out of the power band and I look like the poopall a the starting line that misses his first shift!

Help - I know that this is a relatively small issue but it's hassling me - Like a sore tooth that takes all the pleasure out of the first swallow of a cold one!

[RSW]

Hi David,
Although I can't offer a solution I can say that my 1988 Carrera with the G50 seems to have a similar issue. I notice when going from 1st to 2nd it is notchy. If I'm driving normally and changing gear at low revs there's no problem.

If however I take off hard in 1st then go for 2nd, it has to be forced in and usualy the revs have dropped a fair bit by the time the gear is ready to be engaged. I'd put this down to the syncromesh being warn and had planned to look at it in due course.

However my car also occasionaly makes a sound like the clutch release bearing even when traveling allong in say 3rd gear - so I was also considering the fact that maybe the clutch is dragging slightly which may also cause the problem I guess. I'm putting a new clutch in soon to see if it solves the issue.

I look forward to reading future posts to see if anyone can add anything else.

Richard

[masraum]

Sounds like the tranny could use a little work. Better to just double clutch for now and then save up. Because that's where most of the stoplight racing occurs the shift from 1 to 2 is the one that is usually the most rushed and forced so that is the one that takes the worst beating if someone tries to drive it like a dragster. Most likely a prior owner beat that gear change up and now you are paying for it.

[Don Plumley]

I too have a G50 (in my 87) and the 1-2 shift is a bit stiff at times. What Richard described is identical for me.

I changed to M-1, this helped a bit. I also find that if I preload the lever at all, the shift is hard. In other words, if I pull back on the shift lever even slightly before fully de clutching, the preload seems to make the shift harder. I also felt it might be a worn synchro (though my car has only 68K miles).

One of my next projects is to replace the shift shaft seal (it leaks just a bit) and the shifter bushings. I'm told that if the shifter bushings are worn, this could be a cause difficult shifting also. Shift bushings are much less expensive to try than dropping the tranny, so it's worth a go IMO.

Richard - I'm curious about the "clutch release bearing sound". Although my clutch is near new (10K miles), I feel that sometimes it is dragging slightly as when I come to a stop, it's difficult to move the shifter out of third into neutral as I coast in. Could you please expand on this?

Looking forward to reading other posts on this topic.

Don

[RSW]

Hi Don,
If the truth be know I'm not too sure exactly what is happening when "the clutch is dragging" but I know I've read it somewhere in relation to "struggling with gears" hence my presumption.

My understanding is in the fact that the clutch is not releasing fully and the release bearing is still dragging onto the clutch causing it to spin thus make the sound.

I know my release bearing does make a sound as I hear it for a split second as I set off in 1st some times - and it seems to be the same sort of 'singing drone' that I some times hear while driving along in 2nd or 3rd (it may do it in all gears I just don't hear it)

I've never noticed my car being difficult to get out of a gear though - but at first guess it does sound as if the clutch isn't disengaging. Could the hydrolic's need bleeding? or is yours a cable clutch???

Does this help?

Regards
Richard

[weber92037]

I experience the same thing. I guess that it's normal.

[Don Plumley]

Originally posted by RSW
I've never noticed my car being difficult to get out of a gear though - but at first guess it does sound as if the clutch isn't disengaging. Could the hydrolic's need bleeding? or is yours a cable clutch???

No, it's a G50 like yours which is Hydraulic. I've flushed and bleed it, though it's probably worth doing again.

Thanks!

[TheMentat]

Originally posted by RSW
Hi David,
Although I can't offer a solution I can say that my 1988 Carrera with the G50 seems to have a similar issue. I notice when going from 1st to 2nd it is notchy. If I'm driving normally and changing gear at low revs there's no problem.

If however I take off hard in 1st then go for 2nd, it has to be forced in and usualy the revs have dropped a fair bit by the time the gear is ready to be engaged. I'd put this down to the syncromesh being warn and had planned to look at it in due course.

Richard

Ive been experiencing the same thing as RSW above as well... Has anybody figured out what this is? It only seems to be difficult shifting from 1st to 2nd... particularly if I'm shifting at higher revs. Not the end of the world, but a bit of an annoyance. Any potential fixes?

[Mauricio911]

Switching to Mobil 1 Synthetic made a big difference right away on my 87 G50. It is certanly not 100% fixed. But certanly a lot better

Mauricio
87 Carrera Targa