I'll make this simple and quick...

ACT HDSS Clutch w/ 3,000 miles on it, 0 launches


Just happened last night... almost everytime I tried to shift into 4th at higher rpms (5,000+), it'd either grind and lock me out... or more oftenly, grind for a brief split second, then go in. This includes shifting into 4th slowly... and happens randomly, not all the time.

In lower rpms or driving around normally, I experience no problems with 4th.


Any suggestions on what it may be? If it were my synchro going bad, wouldn't it grind everytime I shift into 4th, even at lower speeds and such?

 

It just get's worse and worse if it's a synchro dude. My tranny on my civic literally fell apart after not fixing it for a long time. It would just pop outa the gear once engaged. What year is yours ?

 

2003. I've never had a problem shifting into gears at any rpm and any speed.... until now.

 

Hmm...from what I know based on people here. The 03's were the one's with the most transmission problems. I mean, I've seen video's of your car and your sure as hell racing. It's bound to happen sooner or later. Just have it checked out. I'm almost positive your synchro is going out.

 

Do some searching on shift lockout.

The clutch install is called into question here. There's an adjustment for the clutch at the pedal in the cabin. There's a link or two for it as well.

Basically, it boils down to the clutch engagement point. Is it very close to the firewall? The clutch may be "dragging", keeping things spinning instead of letting them slow down for smooth gear change.

If you think it's got to do with the engagement point of the clutch pedal travel find the clutch adjustment instructions and play with them. There are specific ones out there dealing with the pedal. It's supposed to have a certain amount of play and be a certain distance from the floor.

Personally, my problem is more an inability to shift as quickly as I used to. If I manhandle it, it can grind. But on a daily basis the shift-in and shift-out it's like I'm locked out an extra fraction of a second before I can hit the next gear smoothly. It's worse based on what rpm I started the shift at, but that's essentially the issue.

All this being said, yes, it could be in the tranny. But try the free, easy fixes first. Don't be afraid to talk to your installer about it either. I _THINK_ ACT actually has instructions for this. Do the search. There's good info here about it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

The 4th gear shift lock out is a common problem, especially on 03's. Anything beyond 4500 rpm's in 4th and 5th seems to be the most common, including the 2nd gear complete lockout (won't go in at all) over 6k rpms. I believe there is a TSB out on the 5th gear, but not on 2nd and 4th...unless I'm mistaken

 

The TSB for 2nd and 5th gear - as I understand it - is for grinding not lockout, but yes, it's out there. Good luck getting Mitsu to do the work for free if you've replaced your clutch w/non-Mitsu part.

 

I have the exact same problem, but i still have the stock clutch....but it happends only after 7K rpm's

 

I highly doubt that any local dealerships will even think about honoring any warranty claims on my car... so that idea is outta the window...

My clutch was installed to grab at the very very top... it still grabs at the very top where I can push in the clutch an inch or so and it'll engage...

 

If a synchro has gone bad, wouldn't it tend to grind everytime I tried to shift into 4th?

 

Look up the lockout problem in the forums - mostly talking about ACT clutches but it happens with others. Alot of us are looking for answers.

 

GM synchromesh.

 

Helps a bit, doesn't fix ...