Second gear grinding & remedy

[Thaifight-R]

So that explains why I keep grinding at high rpm's!
All this time, I thought I was just a really crappy driver! >_< LOL

Totally need one of these.

 

[River_Rat]

Keep us updated on whether or not these bushings have any effect on the 1-2 grind. I don't shift at high rpms all that often anyway, but the grind definitely has me a little concerned. Then again, maybe we're all just bad drivers.

 

[mitdr774]

I have been driving stick shift since I started driving. After 11 years of driving Cavaliers with either an Isuzu or Getrag trans in them I doubt the second gear grind in the Sonic is me. Apparently this is a big issue with the Cruze 6 speed as well.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

I wonder if the clutch is releasing all the way during WOT shifts quick enough. I noticed with my little 5 speed and being left handed that if I really have to make sure I let the RPMs fall sliightly or slip the clutch a bit and "put it in 2nd like a man" or it'll throw it right out with a nice grind.

 

[CG27_Sonic]

I only grinded second once, and that was at slow speed and due to my slippery foot slipping off the clutch pedal. Other than that, never grinded. However, shifting into second seems to be rather splotchy and shaky unless done just right as mentioned from another thread. Running the AC makes things even wierder.

 

[Barnold]

I am glad I ran into this thread. I have the same problem and thought it was me. It sounds like it is not, at least not all me.

 

[River_Rat]

I'm starting to wonder with this issue if the transmission is going to hold up for 5 years/ 100k miles. Maybe I still have a lot to learn, but I've never had a problem with grinding in another car. Seems that it doesnt affect all of us, but certainly more than a few of us.

 

[gsxr1000]

i oped a thread a few months ago on this http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t1043/. The only work around i have found is to shift with 2 fingers on the stick instead of a whole hand....i agree the synchros just can't spin it up fast enough.... i also worry what will this be like after 100k miles if already weak

 

[lambertsonic]

I have the same problem as you guys , I have to feather it to avoid grinding , same with reverse .

 

[Barnold]

It only happens when I am pushing 1st gear hard and try to shift fast. I thought it was that my foot was faster than the stupid 4 foot throw it takes to get from 1 to 2. when I slow shift, even under wot condition I do not have that problem. I was hoping a short throw shifter would fix it, but it does not sound like it.

 

[CyberGreyTURBOZ]

I personally have not noticed this in my sonic, however i have noticed this trans does not like to shift as fast as you would like when driving quickly. Less than 15 min ago i went full throttle and grabbed second gear hard dumped the clutch and chirped the tires real good with no grinding issues. In fact every time i have taken the rpm's up high i have never heard a grinding noise. I do know it can be difficult to get the clutch all the way to the floor faster than your arm wants to grab the next gear. I have done it a few times in my 78 Z shooting for third gear fast. It also has second gear attitude occasionally which wont always let you shift fast into second all the time without a slight grind.

Someone mentioned about doing a 2 finger shift and i hear you on how that can help. If you have your hand gripping the shifter with a fist you are probably being a bit hard on the car and doing a power-shift which i do not expect these cars to do well. Its a lot of abuse on the components and something will give eventually. I prefer to do a open palm shift so if something happens or hits it will bounce back at me and i can back off. The Z gets power shifted regularly to make sure everything is in proper working order.

 

[SuperFudd]

This explains it and how to fix it.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Grinds Shifing From 1st To 2nd | CarComplaints.com

 

[SuperFudd]

Check this out:

2012 Chevrolet Sonic Grinds Shifing From 1st To 2nd | CarComplaints.com

 

[SSpeckerwood]

Same lube I run in my Harley transmission

 

[gsxr1000]

i can say for sure i have the clutch touching the carpet and it will still grind. It isn't often it just sucks since don't shift fast often just pulling out on a busy street and such.... i have adapted my shifiting force.... think i will make a warrenty complaint so if the syncro fails before warrenty they can't say it was abuse

 

[Patgt500]

Has anyone tried the heavier weight oil yet?

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Eric Smit]

Has anyone tried the heavier weight oil yet?

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 2

If I recall correctly, the link SuperFudd posted has a comment from a person who did. Seemed to fix the problems.


-Eric Smit

 

[B-radly81]

looks like we found a way to fix this now to just convince the dealer to do it so its still covered under warranty

 

[oldertech]

I seem to remember a few grinds when the car was new but now at 6,000 miles, none. I'm wondering if it's just tight at the beginning and loosens up and works better as it gets a little wear on it?

 

[Eric Smit]

I changed my shift knob today and in the process, removed my reverse lockout. Being a little careful on my first couple shifts, I noticed if I hit second a little to the left, it grinds. If I hit it centered, no grind. I postulate that because the reverse lockout prevents the shifter from going left into reverse, obviously, that people may ride the shifter left and slam down into second. Just a thought.


-Eric Smit