My wife's EVO VIII has about 46k miles on it, light mods and a clutch and flywheel replacement. This problem would happen before any installs as well. It also seems to be when it is colder(northeast ohio) or if the car hasn't been driven for a few days. It is a pain in the a** to get it into reverse. The rest of the gears feel fine, reverse has to be manhandled sometimes to go into (feels like there is no gate there someitmes). But once you get it in there and you drive it for a minute its fine and reverse is no problem for the rest of the day. There is no syncro grinding or problems at all and it is well maintained and rarely beaten on 2004. Even after a 10 minute warm up in the driveway it will do this.
Any suggestions or something obvious that will make me feel ignorant

Thanks!

 

Put the car in first gear first then go to reverse

 

+ 1 its not a syncronized gear, its gonna be harder to get in..

 

Put it in 5th then reverse, always worked for me

 

I have actually tried that and many other combinations when it is being difficult. Is this basically a probelm that needs to be taken for what it is and not to worry about it? If thats the case then cool, I just want to make sure it doesn't need any work etc..

 

Going into fourth before going into reverse has helped me out to this day.

 

I see a small trend here, this is a relief My evo has no problems with this yet(2006) but i will look forward to it

 

Yes. Its even mentioned in the manual. DSMs have this issue too as well as some other imports.

 

True. Its a usual occurance for most when the transmission is cold. I usually put it in a forward gear and then try reverse again.

 

thanks guys, I'll let the wifey know

 

Just to be sure you clutch is fully disengaging I would jack the car up so all 4 wheels are off the ground and depress the clutch is first to see if the wheels still turn. If they do you need have the clutch adjusted, if not just do the 1st-reverse like everybody else said to try.

 

I've had 3 dsms and now the Evo. It's like second nature putting it into a forward gear first then into reverse. Goes in nice and smooth after that.

 

good idea, will do this week

 

or try pumping the clutch a few times before attempting.. if that works then it is prolly a hydro issue.. adjustment or needs bleeding..

 

thanks for all the tech troubleshooting again guys