I've got an '02 Lancer OZ. Ever since I bought the car, I've noticed that the transmission/gearbox shifts somewhat diffculty/awkwardly as I work up through the gears. This difficulty is especially evident when I shift from 1st to 2nd as I'm building speed from a stop. It almost feels like the gears are grinding slightly, or that things in the gearbox are really "tight". Sometimes even a slight noise can be heard, and it sounds like a scraping sound, not a loud grind. I fully push in my clutch at every shifting point, and the problem still occurs no matter how warm the car is. Do you guys have any ideas what this might be?

I haven't driven another Lancer recently (last time I did was when I drove a demo Lancer at the dealership) so I don't exactly recall if the shifting should be like this. I don't think it was this difficult, though. It just feels wrong, and I'd like either some idea as to what might be causing it or if this is just par for the course with these Lancers.

Thanks for the input!

 

I notice that the 1-2 shift feels different than the others... But I haven't noticed any Grinding, etc...

 

i had something like that happen....like the second day i had my liscense, i was driving and i had to pass somebody and get into the next lane from a stop light, so i start going. im in the process of passing him and i go to shift to second, and in another one of my absent minded tendencies, i put the gas down a little before i had it in gear all the way and it grinded like crazy i was so freaked out..

 

The shift from 1-2 has always seemed really rough for me most of the time. It ranges from a flawless grab to just a light drag for lack of a better word. Only shift I've noticed it in. Everything else is fine.

 

I notice that it's a bit "notchy", but, that's how I like my shifters...

 

'ere's the word. *kicks self* It's not a good feeling though. I'd much rather keep the tighter more fluid motion of the rest of the gearing though. Must just be a "thing" with the car like the ticky heads.

 

Probably. Still beats my Jeep's old mushbox... firm and notchy beats uncertainty all the time.

 

Well, when I shift, my hand must be quicker than my foot, but this thing doesn't shift well. The clutch pedal is so luxury styled that it's so easy to depress it, and I end up letting it go too quickly. I've grinded my tranny a few times, but it hasn't effected my tranny at all. I can still chirp it in 2nd, with no lag, my launch is fine with no slip, and whenever I grind something, I just blast some Clipse to however I'm grindin', don't matter cause my silver paint glosses, it's shinin', *Grindin*, and so on.

--- Kei

 

i dont have any problems with mine. maybe you should take it in to the dealership. thats what warranties are for right?

 

yah, i notice the same thing too...but its only 1st-2nd...its kinda hard to get it up to first, i kinda have to give it a push, and it doesnt 'feel' all the way in, and when i go to shift to second its like its in neutral..i dunno how to explain it, but i only notice it when i didnt give the engine time to warm up! maybe thats it, or maybe thats juss my case.

 

When launching I have missed 1st to 2nd a few times....boy it sounds wonderful when you do it...

 

I've noticed this with my OZ mostly when downshifting. It really doesn't want to be downshifted unless you are in low RPMs, like under 2K. It almost feels like some kind of safety device, so you don't do something stupid, like downshift from 4 to 1, or something. Other than that, the clutch and gearing seem great to me.

D

 

shift from 1-2 is tight for me, too, but a friend who has put over 15k on his Lancer already says it will loosen up around 10k. I'm at about 8k right now, and it seems to be getting smoother (or maybe I'm just getting used to the car ) He let me cycle through his gears, and it does seem looser than mine.

 

I remember reading in the owners manual (yep how many read that great work of art?) That the transmission was something or other and that it would shift "hard" but smooth out as it warmed. I can say right out of the garage in the morning I used to not let the car warm up and stopping at the end of the driveway and putting into first was like Jamming it in. But now that I warm the car up first it's a lot smoother. I'm at about 10K miles now and it has improved.

just my thoughts.

 

I got a few lines to add to this fine thread:

1) My Lancer's shifting is rough in the morning and very smooth once the car is warm.

2)Has anyone noticed that to go into 1st gear from Neutral, you have to push the stick towards your left?
Unlike most cars, where first gear is just a push forward on the stick!

3) Then again, I have a B&M short shifter and it is very cool, and it changes the way the car shifts completely.

Gears feel very hard when the engine is cold and very smooth once the car has warmed up.