car problem - stiff gear stick

[Bender]

i can go into 3rd, 4th, and 5th pretty easy enough, but going into 1st, 2nd, and reverse requires me to use extra force when moving the stick, and sometimes end up slipping gears when they don't engage properly, so i find myself holding the stick in position sometimes till the gear has engaged. anyone know how i can solve this problem? is there a lubricant i can use on my gear stick - puns not intended

 

[DeeezNuuuts83]

i can go into 3rd, 4th, and 5th pretty easy enough, but going into 1st, 2nd, and reverse requires me to use extra force when moving the stick, and sometimes end up slipping gears when they don't engage properly, so i find myself holding the stick in position sometimes till the gear has engaged. anyone know how i can solve this problem? is there a lubricant i can use on my gear stick - puns not intended

Your synchros might be worn, but the first thing to do would be to change your fluids. Sometimes that's all you need to do.

 

[Duke]

Yeah, fluids first. If that doesn't solve it, I'd say go to the professionals since it's a gearbox issue. Unless you're really good with a spanner and a manual.

 

[Bender]

does my gear stick have fluids, and if so i do i change them ?

this is my first car so im a noob when it comes to car issues

 

[DeeezNuuuts83]

does my gear stick have fluids, and if so i do i change them ?

this is my first car so im a noob when it comes to car issues

It's transmission fluid... your owners manual should tell you where it is, though how to change it is usually something that you'll have to search.

 

[Bender]

i appreciate all the advice i can get at the moment, its not a major problem i just wished that the gear changes were smoother.

i have been trying to get the (plastic) central cover off of the handbrake/gear-stick, but am at odds to how it comes off. i did find in the ashtray of the car, after i bought it, the star-bit that unscrews the 2 screws at the back of the cover but its still hinged at the front somehow, i dont know how to take it off.

i just want to get to the base of the gearstick and fill it with WD40, grease, or an oil lubricant, or transmission fluid if that is what it needs

 

[DeeezNuuuts83]

^ That's totally not what you're supposed to do...

 

[C.R.Y.]

does my gear stick have fluids, and if so i do i change them ?

this is my first car so im a noob when it comes to car issues

there should be a drain plug for it underneath the transmission (under the car).and a plug for putting oil somewhere on the side or near the top. youre going to need a long funnel for it. look up the recommended gear oil and fill it up until the oil is starting to come out of the plug (or look up the amount needed). the problem is likely not the shifter itself, and even if it is wd40 aint gonna fix it . youd need to fix whatever bushing, bolt, etc that it is. if the car pops out of gear it could be alot of things. it could be the shift rails, the gears themselves might be worn. it could be alot of things. your best bet is take it to a mechanic and get their opinion. my old civic si had a bad linkage bushing and was sometimes a pain putting into gear because of it but never popped out

 

[dillaxx]

I laughed so hard at your post. Call it at shifter.

 

[Bender]

ok turns out i cant access the base of my gear stick that easy, and a good douse of WD40 didnt do much either - what will it take to get my synchros checked out and ultimately fixed if thats the problem, it definately sticks when changing into 1st and second gear, is this just due to wear, i dont have a clue what synchros are or do

 

[DeeezNuuuts83]

ok turns out i cant access the base of my gear stick that easy, and a good douse of WD40 didnt do much either - what will it take to get my synchros checked out and ultimately fixed if thats the problem, it definately sticks when changing into 1st and second gear, is this just due to wear, i dont have a clue what synchros are or do

We told you not to use WD40. These are mechanical auto parts, not a door hinge.

 

[Bender]

my dad said to use wd40 dont blame me im a noob to car mechanics

 

[C.R.Y.]

well your dad doesnt know any mechanics lmao. in order to check the syncros you have to take the transmission out and open it up. something only a trained mechanic can do

 

[DeeezNuuuts83]

my dad said to use wd40 dont blame me im a noob to car mechanics

That reminds me of that Chris Rock comedy routine where he talks about Robitussin being used as the solution to any physical illness.

"Hey daddy, I got asthma--"
"Robitussin!"

"Hey daddy, I got cancer--"
"Robitussin!"

I broke my arm, and daddy poured Robitussin on it!
"Oh yeah, boy, let that 'Tussin get in there, all the way down to the bone."

 

[Bender]

there is no such thing as transmission fluid ... is there?

 

[C.R.Y.]

there is no such thing as transmission fluid ... is there?

yes there is. every transmission has some sort of fluid. itll never run dry