So I got my Shep Trans back from a rebuild a few days ago and finally got it finished up today. Went for a drive only to find 3rd gear grinding... I adjusted the clutch pedal and got it to feel better but it still doesn't feel anything like other evo's I have driven. A little background on the car... I bought it from a guy who was having clutch problems... I got the car home, swapped the Exedy triple out for a QM Twin. After driving it the clutch felt good but I determined something was wrong with the tranny. (Originally built by shep) It seemed to drag out of third gear and just didn't feel right... Fast forward to a few weeks ago I dropped the tranny off at Shep's shop. He got back to me a week later and said it needed second gear, 3rd,4th and 5th synchros, 3-4 shift fork and sleeve. I went ahead with the rebuild although I was surprised at how much it needed considering it had like 5k on it since the last rebuild. Regardless, after re-installing the tranny I went for a drive and found that it grinds into third and is notchy going into 4th. I played with the clutch pedal some and found a spot where it felt better but still not right. It seemed pretty sensitive to clutch adjustments. I ran out of time and didn't get to play with adjustment anymore but it seems like that wont solve the issue. So here I am... Pissed off like no tomorrow. This car has already been a bigger headache than I could have ever imagined. I'm out of ideas as to what the problem may be. My buddy said maybe the hydraulic TOB needs to be shimmed. I was told that on the stock crank the TOB would not need shimming. We measured very roughly and everything seemed ok before install. No idea what to look at next...Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

So if it grinds into 3rd, but not 4th, 5th, then how can it be a clutch adjustment issue? 4th and 5th synchro's are the weakest and are very sensitive to any clutch drag, so they should also grind if it’s a clutch adjustment issue.

A brand new 3rd synchro should not grind, unless the 3rd/4th hub is worn down, causing too much play in the gear. That can explain 4th feeling notchy as well, any why 5th isn't grinding.

It’s interesting that you should have the EXACT same issue that I had with the second TRE Trans build I had many years back. Grinded 3rd as soon as i installed it and 4th felt notchy, which eventually turned into 4th gear grinding as well.

 

At this point I have no clue what the problem could be... 3rd, 4th and 5th gear synchros were apparently replaced. I'm going to get in touch with shep today.

 

3 gear hub is prolly out of spec, or the Teeth on the gear are Edged badly, due to have a bad 3rd gear syncro and JAMMing it into gear. Replace 3rd Gear and be done with it. I specced my trans 100% in and out when i finished my rebuild, There is a tolerence gap between the gears and the syncros that NEEDS to be checked, Even after you install NEW syncros, also attention to the Gear hub teeth should be checked for edges or flat spots, as that would cause a grind cause of the Surfaces not mating correctly during a shift, like to flat spots coming together would cause a Notchy Feeling.

 

No, this is not a 3rd gear issue. If the teeth on the gear were "edged badly" then you would have 3rd gear lockout.

 

might want to give jon@TRE a call

 

^+1 I hate to jump on the bandwagon here but seriously call jon@TRE 269 382 2669

I had a great experience with him and will definitely be headed his way for all my drivetrain needs.

 

+5

 

Not really, could only be a few with flat spots or worn edges, it still go into gear but would be notchy. I know cause my Reverse was like this, but i resolved it with a File and now its perfect. Jacks Transmission put up a good drawing that helps explain why these transmissions are notchy.
And like you said the hub could be jacked up to, also the 3rd gear Syncro to gear surface on the gear could be wornout.

Also OP what kinda fluid are you using?

 

Yea but the tranny was freshly rebuilt by shep. Would he not catch something like this? Could it be something to do with the linkage. Would shimming the hydraulic TOB possibly be the issue? I can't think of anything else...

 

2 quarts of mt90 and one quart lightweight shockproof as per Sheps reccomendation.

 

i've heard nothing but good things from jacks, thats where i plan on sending my tranny and transfer out. the bummer is that i see more and more negative things about shep.

 

Well, the easy way to see if it's the clutch dragging at all-put the car in the air on jack stands, start it and go through the gear with the clutch pushed in.

The tires shouldn't turn.

 

I checked it on a hoist the clutch is not dragging. I adjusted the pedal both ways aswell with no luck... And I'm starting to think the shifter cables wouldn't cause an issue like this either.

 

Here is a video link from Jacks Transmission on how to adjust the Clutch. I have adjusted mine with that video and woah.. what a difference.
Sorry to hear about your transmission issue. It can make driving an evo very unjoyable, but don't let something like that bother you so much. It is something that can be fixed, and once it is, your car will be that much more fun to drive.