MS3 shifting/steering issues

[Billman]

At 15,000 miles, I have (what I would consider) only minor notchiness. Never any grinding going down in the gears, but I don't really do the 3rd to 1st thing either. The only time I notice any grinding is when I fail to push the clutch in fully cuz of my big ol' feet. It wouldn't surprise me that you get some grinding there, though. When you do 3rd to 1st, the synchros in the gearbox can't really make that big of a leap (especially quickly). At least that was my understand when I was doing vehicle repair way back in the 80's.

Here is something to try; When you are driving normally, notice the speed when you shift from 1st to 2nd. Take off about 10% of that number, and that will be the speed you should be able to downshift from 3rd to 1st without too much grinding. If you are trying to get it in to 1st while you are doing 40-45 mph, it will always grind because the tranny wasn't made to go that fast in first and the synchros can't make that leap.

I'd take it in though, just to be sure and to start the documentation process if it should get worse.

[Storm]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mOOsE @ Jul 17 2008, 07:33 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=56735]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

woah, that is def not normal, popping out of gear? your sure your not driving a civic si?[/b]

I better not be driving a civic! It doesn't happen all the time, and I bet they wouldn't get it to happen if I did take it in.

[kingtut]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Storm @ Jul 17 2008, 07:15 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=56826]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I better not be driving a civic! It doesn't happen all the time, and I bet they wouldn't get it to happen if I did take it in.[/b]

HA! I feel your pain... In the past whenever I had an issue, I was always pretty hesitant about taking it in. Just trying to duplicate the problem probably causes more issues anyway. On that rant, just before I got out of my A4, I was having some problems with dropping my car off to get work done, and low and behold, I get the car back and it has like 9 miles on it!? ...nine miles! wtf is up with that? Had the same problem when I first got the car; went to get it tinted and they "pulled it around to the other side" and I could hear him whale on it down the alley... I haven't been to Eclipse yet (as Firestoned is out of town), but I feel good going to a well respected, reputable, fellow speed owner..I know they won't be like a little kid with a bowl of ice cream, gorging themselves in it since they can't "have it" everyday. Sorry, slight rant! :P

[Billman]

While driving to Denver, I experimented and tried your 3rd to 1st shift a few times.

Never had any grinding. But dropping from 3rd to 1st was not a "quick" shift be any means. I was able to get it into 1st while doing about 40, but the tranny wouldn't do it quickly at all.

As was said before, take it in. You have nothing to lose.