my ra just barely has 4k miles and i dunno if its normal to hear a squeaky sound when i put it in first gear(it only happens there) and is it normal to feel a clunky hard feeling when going from 1st to 2nd gear

 

n/m

 

My shifter was making a squeaking noise so I took the center console out and put some grease in there. Didn't look like much was in there from the factory.

 

Yeah grease will help big time. Also, brass or polyurethane bushings will get rid of that "clunky hard" feeling and make shifting smoother and more refined. I recommend KartBoy polyurethane bushings, but I hear great things about brass as well. If you do install them, grease them up nicely to ensure full improvement.

 

I also recomend kartboy bushings (but they require monthly greasing at least on my car or they squeak) Have a look at how much your RPM drops when going from first to second thats what was causing my clunky feeling was just the way the gear ratios are and how I was driving and shifting from first to second(a little more rpm in first problem gone).

 

ty guys ill try all this stuff out ASAP

 

any procedures one should know so the center console dosent damge while taking it off?

 

Remove the rear console first. The front console doesn't have to come all the way apart, just have to be able to get under it and work on your shifter.

These should get you started:

 

I have the brass bushings from lancershop.com. They made a HUGE difference. I highly recommend them.

 

console instructions

underhood instructions

just be careful with the little plastic buttons. also be prepared to file the console bushings down if you go with poly.... if you wanna skip this step go with brass.

i also recommend that you do both underhood and console while you're at it. both make a big difference.

 

ok guys so is it normal that a stock shifter needs greasing so early(6month-ish) and in these days the car has not been responding like normal when shifting. i.e lauching from 1st and proper "feel" of the shifter when u make a gear change....is it me....is it the car....im a bit worried



PS: and yes the usual rpm change from 1st is 2500-2900 and 2500-2700 on city driving(getting till 4th and around 45-50mph)

 

Well, I had to grease my shifter after less than a year. I think it just wasn't greased enough from the factory. I piled it on though, should be good for another 20 years

 

If the clunking sound only happens during the 1-2 shift, remember our car has a clutch restrictor (makes it engage a little slower), so you might want to try making sure the clutch is fully engaged before shifting. (during the 1-2 shift is where you will notice it the most as the torque is multiplied the most and the engine will rock like a Van Halen concert )