Hard Shifting into 2nd

[Cream]

seems like a common e30 problem, replacing your tranny oil should help it out a little, i put in a z3 shifter and had to bend the selecter rod and the shifting got shorter but it got worse, sometimes it would feel like its in gear but not all the way so it would pop out of gear before i changed the oil. but ive just gotten used to giving it a little gas when i shift, it makes it alot smoother.

[bastianshaw]

OP are you running a short shifter?

[bastianshaw]

same here, it helps to shift from a higher engine speed in first

[StereoInstaller1]

Wow, this sounds like a pretty common issue. Just changed my fluid and put in Red Line MT-90. Smoothed things out, but the second-gear synchros are still pretty miserable when cold.

Now that is not what I wanna hear! Should be more like "yeah, 2nd sucked, but I changed my fluid and the bitches love me now!"

No?

Dammit.

Luke

[Threehz]

My friend was having some rough shifting on his '66 bug and his mechanic recommended adding some friction-increasing additive (I think that is what it was), and he said it really smoothed his shifting and made a huge increase in performance.

Are there any legitimate additives that may help synchros?

I might just go for new shift bushings and see if that helps, it has worked for some.

[ELVA164]

Wow, this sounds like a pretty common issue. Just changed my fluid and put in Red Line MT-90. Smoothed things out, but the second-gear synchros are still pretty miserable when cold.

[Threehz]

I think I may have a small leak, but I just replaced the fluid a bit ago with fresh synthetic ATF, and it helped smooth everything out, but was not a day and night difference.

I've been figuring it could be the synchros, just hoping it wasn't..

I kinda hoped it was bushings because that seems easier/cheaper than going into the transmission doing work.. The problem is that it feels pretty tight, little to no play except where the stick should be going...

[kamotors]

same issue here, going into second cold isn't smooth, but once warmed up its good.

[jlevie]

I have the same issue in my M20/G260 E34, only it shifts fine once warm.

Same thing, synchros? No grinding, no other issues, only hard to get into second when cold.

What transmission fluid? Redline MTL or a synthetic ATF may help.

[Swanny]

Fluid levels in check? I've lost 2nd gear twice over the years because the seals gave up. I imagine sloppy bushings would add to wear on the syncro as well.

[ADlBOO]

I'm curious as well, also have hard shifts when cold.

[StereoInstaller1]

If the other gears don't have this problem, the syncro's for 2nd gear are probably worn.

I have the same issue in my M20/G260 E34, only it shifts fine once warm.

Same thing, synchros? No grinding, no other issues, only hard to get into second when cold.

Luke

[jlevie]

If the other gears don't have this problem, the syncro's for 2nd gear are probably worn.

[Threehz]

As it says. Shifting into second isn't actually hard, but it's not smooth and totally makes spirited take-offs less fun, also annoying for general driving purposes.

I'm wondering, do I simply need a new bushing kit or is the old stick slowly taking a shit? Any ways to tell?