Shifting into 3rd gear

Jeep1086 · 09-10-2005, 03:00 PM

When i shift into 3rd gear there is a bit of ginding before it finally goes in. This is a big problem and I need to fix it fast. I was told that it could either be the upper and lower shift shift bearings or the syncronizers. Could someone tell me the symptoms for each and what on average it costs to fix these problems.

Thanks

thegeneral · 09-10-2005, 03:19 PM

Hi Jeep1086,

You're probably not going to like my answer, but the symptoms of both of those problems are very similar. In my '05, the synchros can make some noise going into third, but I've been informed that it's not a problem.

Is it actually the gears grinding or is it the synchros making noise (it sounds similar but MUCH quieter and only happens until the gear engages)?

TJJeepGal · 09-10-2005, 03:22 PM

Mine did the same thing.

Try changing the tranny fluid. I first tried Synchromesh...then I went to the dealer and bought the Mopar stuff...that seemed to do the trick.

Goodluck!

Tam

Jeep1086 · 09-11-2005, 03:33 PM

thanks for you help thegeneral, it kinda sounds like grinding before it catches, but only in third. Any idea what this could be

TJjeepgal, i have already recently changed the tranny fluid. What is synchromesh?

Thanks

Stu Olson · 09-11-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeep1086

i have already recently changed the tranny fluid.

What fluid did you use when you filled it?

JeepZJlover · 09-11-2005, 06:21 PM

I know i have a similar problem going into 2nd and sometimes 4th and even though i shouldnt have to double clutching fixes it.

Jeep1086 · 09-11-2005, 07:58 PM

Stu, I am not sure what kind of fluid it was. I got it changed at the local shop where i know the mechanics. I watched the whole thing and I think he just used standard fluid. I know it wasn't synthetic.

When i push it into 3rd gear it is almost like there is no safety catch to keep you from putting it into the gear before it is synchronized. Normally you would push the stick into the gear and it wouldn't allow the gear to contact until it is fully synchronized, However this is not the case with third, it just grinds until it clicks. I usually go easy on it, i shift in slow motion in order to give it a chance to catch up.

Also it does not do this until everything is warmed up. It usually good until everyhting gets hot.

What is this and is it hard to fix yourself, because they wanted 40 bucks just to look at it at the dealer and I am a poor college student who does not have that kind of dow.

Thanks

Stu Olson · 09-11-2005, 08:16 PM

You have a '97 AX-5 tranny. I'm sure it has some miles on it and there is a distinct possbility that it has been fed a steady diet of GL-5 rated gear lube, which your tranny does not like. Unfortunately, this is what DC put in the owner's manual.

Luckily, someone was smart enough to specify GL-3 lube in the factory service manual. Anyway, the GL-5 fluid uses additives that do not play well with the synchros in your tranny (or mine for that matter). For that reason, I've been putting Redline MT-90 in mine for almost the entire time I've owned it. MT-90 is rated for GL-3 and GL-4 applications and does not contain the additives that give cancer to your synchros.

Many folks have found that their shifting improved as soon as they put Redline in their AX-5 or AX-15 tranny. I'm not saying you will if you did but you may wish to try it (your choice). It is possible that your synchro is bad (I do not know my way around the inside of a tranny) and nothing will improve it except a rework job. But....if you want to give it a spin, it will cost you about $20 to try it.

George W · 09-11-2005, 08:32 PM

At the very least go to the dealer and get some GL-3! Your book may say to use GL-5 but it's wong! Just pick up the GL-3 at the dealers and if you want bring it with you to your mechanic and have his drain and refill the tranny with it. It will be a low cost fix if it works, and it should! But at least you would know you have the right stuff it it then. Good luck! George

Jeep1086 · 09-11-2005, 10:51 PM

Thanks for all the help from you experienced tranny jeepers. I will definetely try the GL-3 and see what happens.

I wondering if someone could describe the symptoms of both, bad synchros and of bad upper and lowere synchros.

That would be great

Thanks again for all the adivce

09-10-2005, 03:00 PM	#1
Jeep1086 Shauns a b**** Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 238 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Shifting into 3rd gear When i shift into 3rd gear there is a bit of ginding before it finally goes in. This is a big problem and I need to fix it fast. I was told that it could either be the upper and lower shift shift bearings or the syncronizers. Could someone tell me the symptoms for each and what on average it costs to fix these problems. Thanks __________________ 97 TJ - 2.5 Litre - 33 Goodyear MTR - 4.88 Gearing - Stock Axles - Lockrite Full Locker Front - TruTrac Limited Slip Rear -Warn Rear Bumper - 99 Dodge Durango Steering Box Conversion - Alumni-Flex Tie Rod - Ome Steering Stabilizer - Various Skidplates - Offroad Fogs - 3.5 RE suspension lift - OME Nitro-charger Shocks - Kenwood Radio

09-10-2005, 03:19 PM	#2
thegeneral Registered Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Jeep1086, You're probably not going to like my answer, but the symptoms of both of those problems are very similar. In my '05, the synchros can make some noise going into third, but I've been informed that it's not a problem. Is it actually the gears grinding or is it the synchros making noise (it sounds similar but MUCH quieter and only happens until the gear engages)? __________________ Will ___________________________________ Specs (just so you don't have to ask): 2"BB, Teraflex discos, 31x10.50 R15 Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos, Rancho RS5000 shocks, aftermarket steering stabilizer. Tucson, AZ

09-11-2005, 03:33 PM	#4
Jeep1086 Shauns a b**** Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 238 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	thanks for you help thegeneral, it kinda sounds like grinding before it catches, but only in third. Any idea what this could be TJjeepgal, i have already recently changed the tranny fluid. What is synchromesh? Thanks __________________ 97 TJ - 2.5 Litre - 33 Goodyear MTR - 4.88 Gearing - Stock Axles - Lockrite Full Locker Front - TruTrac Limited Slip Rear -Warn Rear Bumper - 99 Dodge Durango Steering Box Conversion - Alumni-Flex Tie Rod - Ome Steering Stabilizer - Various Skidplates - Offroad Fogs - 3.5 RE suspension lift - OME Nitro-charger Shocks - Kenwood Radio

09-11-2005, 06:21 PM	#6
JeepZJlover Registered Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Marion, Iowa Posts: 407 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I know i have a similar problem going into 2nd and sometimes 4th and even though i shouldnt have to double clutching fixes it. __________________ :instaban: ITS A JEEP THING AND I BET YOU UNDERSTAND 97 Wrangler SE Green 2.5l 4cyl 31 BFG ATs American Racing Outlaw II rims Modified Dodge Dakota foglights. Homemade Front Bumper Homemade Bull Bar Unfindable Wobble. :webb: 1993 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L Straight Six AW4, 8.25 NP-231 Homemade lift front and rear. "Would you help me find my Nuts" , Hemi "I found my Nuts" , Hemi

09-11-2005, 07:58 PM	#7
Jeep1086 Shauns a b**** Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 238 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stu, I am not sure what kind of fluid it was. I got it changed at the local shop where i know the mechanics. I watched the whole thing and I think he just used standard fluid. I know it wasn't synthetic. When i push it into 3rd gear it is almost like there is no safety catch to keep you from putting it into the gear before it is synchronized. Normally you would push the stick into the gear and it wouldn't allow the gear to contact until it is fully synchronized, However this is not the case with third, it just grinds until it clicks. I usually go easy on it, i shift in slow motion in order to give it a chance to catch up. Also it does not do this until everything is warmed up. It usually good until everyhting gets hot. What is this and is it hard to fix yourself, because they wanted 40 bucks just to look at it at the dealer and I am a poor college student who does not have that kind of dow. Thanks __________________ 97 TJ - 2.5 Litre - 33 Goodyear MTR - 4.88 Gearing - Stock Axles - Lockrite Full Locker Front - TruTrac Limited Slip Rear -Warn Rear Bumper - 99 Dodge Durango Steering Box Conversion - Alumni-Flex Tie Rod - Ome Steering Stabilizer - Various Skidplates - Offroad Fogs - 3.5 RE suspension lift - OME Nitro-charger Shocks - Kenwood Radio

09-10-2005, 03:22 PM	#3
TJJeepGal Registered Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 103 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mine did the same thing. Try changing the tranny fluid. I first tried Synchromesh...then I went to the dealer and bought the Mopar stuff...that seemed to do the trick. Goodluck! Tam

09-11-2005, 08:16 PM	#8
Stu Olson www.stu-offroad.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Arizona USA Posts: 12,366 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	You have a '97 AX-5 tranny. I'm sure it has some miles on it and there is a distinct possbility that it has been fed a steady diet of GL-5 rated gear lube, which your tranny does not like. Unfortunately, this is what DC put in the owner's manual. Luckily, someone was smart enough to specify GL-3 lube in the factory service manual. Anyway, the GL-5 fluid uses additives that do not play well with the synchros in your tranny (or mine for that matter). For that reason, I've been putting Redline MT-90 in mine for almost the entire time I've owned it. MT-90 is rated for GL-3 and GL-4 applications and does not contain the additives that give cancer to your synchros. Many folks have found that their shifting improved as soon as they put Redline in their AX-5 or AX-15 tranny. I'm not saying you will if you did but you may wish to try it (your choice). It is possible that your synchro is bad (I do not know my way around the inside of a tranny) and nothing will improve it except a rework job. But....if you want to give it a spin, it will cost you about $20 to try it. __________________ Stu's '98TJ Sahara ARB Locked & Loaded *www.stu-offroad.com*

09-11-2005, 08:32 PM	#9
George W Registered Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,658 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	At the very least go to the dealer and get some GL-3! Your book may say to use GL-5 but it's wong! Just pick up the GL-3 at the dealers and if you want bring it with you to your mechanic and have his drain and refill the tranny with it. It will be a low cost fix if it works, and it should! But at least you would know you have the right stuff it it then. Good luck! George __________________ 2005 Rocky Mountain Edition TJ. Black on black 6cyl auto, D44 3.73 gears, tilt wheel, air ,cd player ,7speaker sound with a sub woofer,Factory fog (driving) lights, 30x9.50X15 on ravine wheels for now.. Tilt wheel, tinted glass. 2 1/2" Rancho springs OME shocks and OME track bar bracket. His 2007 Mustang Fastback coup, red fire Lot's of options and fun stuff the wife wanted!! We had added wide black racing strips over hood roof and trunk and the detailed black Mustang stripes on the sides.. Dealer item! Hers 2002 Ford Ranger Edge Supper cab 4 door 4.0 SHOC 5 speed auto power everything! This will be our winter beater to save our vechiles from northeast salt Ours..

09-11-2005, 10:51 PM	#10
Jeep1086 Shauns a b**** Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 238 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the help from you experienced tranny jeepers. I will definetely try the GL-3 and see what happens. I wondering if someone could describe the symptoms of both, bad synchros and of bad upper and lowere synchros. That would be great Thanks again for all the adivce __________________ 97 TJ - 2.5 Litre - 33 Goodyear MTR - 4.88 Gearing - Stock Axles - Lockrite Full Locker Front - TruTrac Limited Slip Rear -Warn Rear Bumper - 99 Dodge Durango Steering Box Conversion - Alumni-Flex Tie Rod - Ome Steering Stabilizer - Various Skidplates - Offroad Fogs - 3.5 RE suspension lift - OME Nitro-charger Shocks - Kenwood Radio

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