5 speed tranny synchros

[cliffhopper]

My third gear synchro seems like it is slowly dying, but I've seen that in most cars with over 50,000 on the clock. How reliable is the zf tranny in these cars. I am used to a volkswagen with paper thin gears, so I rev-match every shift, but there are other transmissions where you can downshift all day and the synchros won't complain like my friend's nissan.

What do most of you recommend in terms of rev-matching or downshifting?

[L3R E36]

revmatch all of your downshifts....

[Sadiq]

What do most of you recommend in terms of rev-matching


yes

[David Aye]

sry but why would you not rev-match on downshifts?

[beady]

Rev matching can only do so much.

You need to double-clutch (or double-declutch if you prefer) to really minimize wear on the synchros.

Mike

[Nik1703]

double cluch is a pain, and syncros were designed to prevent double clutching. that is stupid.

use your syncs, they will wear eventually, then buy a used tranny for 500 bucks and swap it. why lengthen your trannys death?

[Tommay85]

Yeah, one of my friends heal toe double clutches on downshifts, and he sucks at it! haha Double clutching isn't necessary at all with trannies equipped with synchros. It only extends your millage so far anyway. You're sychros might not wear out, but the other stuff will need service, so why bother unless it's fun for you.

Really, rev matching isn't even all that necessary. It's smoother though, and fun!

[Julian]

My friend has a 99 M3 with 100k that has a third gear synchro goin out, it's not common but it does seem to happen here and there.

[beady]

double cluch is a pain, and syncros were designed to prevent double clutching. that is stupid.

use your syncs, they will wear eventually, then buy a used tranny for 500 bucks and swap it. why lengthen your trannys death?

Yeah, and auto trannies were designed to prevent you from having to use a clutch and shift gears manually.

Your point is?

Double clutching is not a pain, it's second nature after a while, just like using a clutch.

Besides, double clutching lets you perform a smoother gearchange than the synchro's; when done correctly. I happen to enjoy driving a manual transmission. I enjoy the one-ness a with the machince. Double clutching takes it to another level. Bliss is a 4th-to-2nd heel-toe downshift with a properly performed double clutch rev matched downshift.

Besides, people are not always in a position to spend the time and/or money to replace a transmission. Double clutching will let you drive on the transmission until you can replace it on your terms.

YMMV.

Mike

[Nik1703]

double clutching is a pain. period.

do i want to push the clutch once, or TWICE, everytime i shift?

[328ischef]

double clutching is a good way to drive a dying transmission, but other than that it should be left to the truckers as far as Im concerned.

Properly shifting is not as easy as it sounds, its more of an art at times, but perhaps there are other stresses being put upon the car by other habits?

[JaredM3]

That how I drive an old Mack truck...Not my cars

What tranny fluid are you using? Try using some RP syncro max, that could help out your tranny quite a bit.

[ZUUD BYE]

My friend has a 99 M3 with 100k that has a third gear synchro goin out, it's not common but it does seem to happen here and there.

I have this issue in wifeys ///M (140K) , biding my time looking to see a tranny pop up for sale when I'm ready & have cash.

[Julian]

I have this issue in wifeys ///M (140K) , biding my time looking to see a tranny pop up for sale when I'm ready & have cash.

Yeah it was really weird, my buddy was pissed lol cause here I have a 328 with 220k on it (same trans as the M3) and his has a dying synchro at 100k. And he doesn't drive in an abusive manner.

[e21speed]

Can anyone recommend a gearbox fluid that might minimize the synchro issue. My boss's M3 sedan is doing this with only 51k on the odo.

MEM

[Nik1703]

129k here and the syncros going out in 3rd.

shit happens

[M52 POWER!]

Just don't slam/force it into gear. Push on it but let it fall in by itself. That is the worst way to accelerate syncro wear.

[kablammo]

Can anyone recommend a gearbox fluid that might minimize the synchro issue. My boss's M3 sedan is doing this with only 51k on the odo.

MEM

All of the below are good products:

Royal Purple Sycromax
Redline ATF D4
Redline MTL
BG Syncroshift

k

[David Aye]

i had pretty bad shifting, till i switched to Royal purple syncromax...helped out a lot, and after 1kish miles, it def got even better.