Hi folks,

First of all, great info on here, and thanks in advance for helping out a potential Evo purchaser =)

Going to test drive a IX GSR this week and had a few questions in advance:

- With respect to the VIII and IX's, how common are bad synchros/grinding? I know there are a more than a few threads on this, but I wanted to know whether it's correlated with aggressive drivers or just the luck of the draw. Also...

- Which is more prone to the problem... the 5 speed or 6 speed?

- Is it only apparent during fast and/or high RPM shifts? Could I detect it during a "mild-ish" test drive?

- For what gear change is this common, i.e. 2>3, 4>5, etc.?


- If there is grinding, is it possible that it happens only until the transmission "warms up"?

thanks again guys.

 

If the transmission grinds, skip it. Unless your goal is to rebuild everything anyway.

 

1. Most of the time, grinds are caused by poor maintenance or rough driving.
2. 6 speed.
3. Yes but you will be more likely to pick up on it if you give it a hard time.
4. 1-2, 2-3 (from my personal experience).
5. Yes, but even when cold, a grind still means something isn't right.

Grinds can often be solved by fluid change, shifter bushing change and a proper clutch adjustment (most important). Those things are easy cost effective remedies for grinds. But if it's a serious grind then the synchros will be what needs attention, these are not cheap.

 

I disagree on #2, I have driven many more 5 speed Evos with grinding gears than 6 speeds. The 5 speed evos had less miles so I dont think it was a milage issue

If the transmission grinds I would skip the car because the owner must have been very hard on the car and didnt care if it was going to function for the next owner.

 

90% of the time, if its grinding gears, it needs a rebuild. Shep is the way to go if you do buy it.

 

Yh grinding is definitely not something to overlook.

 

The great things about forums is there will never be one answer

I do agree with the second part. Whatever the cause of the grind it is an indication of poor maintenance/neglect.

I don't agree with this, I've seen too many instances of grinds being cured by simple clutch adjustment. However, the actual cause and cure of grinds will be very hard to determine before purchasing and would still be a risk.

 

thanks for the info folks. I'll let you know how it goes =)

 

I have an 06 MR (6 speed) and it is grinding from 2-3 on hard/fast shifts only. never grinds when i drive normally. I change my tranny fluid every 10 k been doing that ever since I started tracking the car in 08. I perform my maintenance religiously.

 

All evos are known to have notchy transmissions everyone knows that. Now are u sure it's a grind? And not just the typical evo tranny being notchy?

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mine only does it when going into fifth when ever I fast shift if I granny it in it won't. I've had my clutch adjusted changed fluid still does it. I don't feel my fifth gear going out any time soon and I don't even beat on it.