Sometimes hard to get manual L series into gear

[Luke]

Its hard to shift my car into 1st and 2nd gear. When the cars cold its really noticable and I have to usually work it through a few other gears and then it shifts no problem. When the car warms up it works fairly good and is only slightly noticable.

I'm guessing the syncro's are gone? Anything I can do to prolong its life? I remember reading about lighter oil.

 

[GOD]

Sounds like synchros. There are a number of nylon bushes in the shifter linkages that wear out, but they generally just make the shift action sloppy, not stiff.

Have you changed the gearbox oil lately? If not, drain it and refill it with the right amount of the right stuff.

I don't imagine a thinner oil would make it any easier to change gears, and it certainly wouldn't do anything towards prolonging the box's life. Just be kind to it, and work on matching your revs to your road speed on each shift (i.e. don't ask the synchros and clutch to the car down).

Dane.

 

[El_Freddo]

I'd say that its just a subaru trait - only when its cold though. My L's got a gearbox in it thats done about 190,000km (subi done 407xxxkm) now and second is a mother ***** to get into when its cold. Once the box has some warmth in it second is found easily as it should be.

If you can't get it very easily when the box is worn its either something wrong inside the box or your shift movement isn't inline with the selector's movements to get the second gear...

Cheers

Bennie

 

[Beigewagon]

Like,

It seems to be an L-Series trait. My prevoius L-Series was difficult to 3rd when cold. My current car has alwayas been more difficult in 2nd, right from new, and was like that up till I changed the 'box at around 450,000kms. Replacement 'box has almost 200,000km and is a little better.

Beigewagon.

 

[silver]

Don't know about just an L series trait. My MY05 does it also. I have learnt not to fight it and just grab 3rd or 4th and gently let the clutch out and inch the car forward a bit and then all is Ok. Changing the oil to a synthetic, same grade, may help a bit.

 

[Barry]

My 05 OBW doesn't like reverse. Rocking forward in 1st or second clutch throw is inevitably sucessful. Just a minor orritant.