I bought my car early last year and it has had a grind from 1-2 since I got it, I guess the synchros are probably bad, but do you think changing the trans fluid to redline/RP would help? Anyone else got the grind? Thanks.

 

With your 69 Shelby handle I would think you could answer this. JK. There seems to be a lot of this going on lately.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...to-second.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-problem.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-freezing.html

 

Another one just popped up
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...or-clutch.html

 

First thing I'd do would be to bleed the clutch slave (CAUTION! Read up on it!), then change the tranny to REDLINE MTL. If, after all that, it still grinds, then, yep, bad synchros.

 

A great opportunity to practice the double clutch on the 1-2 shift. I find that with the drive-by-wire and fairly heavy flywheel I have to be patient to match the revs for 2nd, but that patience is rewarded.

I would respectfully suggest that once the grind starts it's a slippery slope unless the driver adapts.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

This.

You may be able to delay the inevitable by doing a trans oil flush. I'd be cautious attempting to bleed the clutch unless you know there's a leak. Pull the boot away from the clutch slave enough to see whether it's moist underneath and if it's dry, leave it alone.

 

Double clutch is when you
-clutch in
- shift from 1st to N
- clutch out
-clutch in
- shift from N to 2nd
- clutch out
right or wrong?

 

Right - and the b*tch is being patient in neutral for a fraction of a second, because the gears are more than 1,000 revs apart and when I go for 2nd I really want everything in the gearbox spinning at about the right speed...

With patience the 2nd part of that process should not complain!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Huh, I don't usually release the clutch in neutral while waiting for it to rev match into second. Just hold it in a second longer.

1. Clutch in
2. Change to 2nd gear
3. Wait till rev match and release

As long as clutch is fully engaged(not riding the clutch), it should be fine.

 

I just shift from 1st to 2nd at 2500 RPM. I know it's an early shift, but I don't need to wait for the revs to drop, and I don't waste gas letting the revs climb while the car barely accelerates - unless I'm trying to accelerate hard, then it's 80-90% throttle to 5k RPM, clutch in, shift to second, clutch out and back on the gas as the clutch is almost fully released; all the while gripping the wheel with my left hand to counter the wheel hop and torque steer.

I just bought my Mini, made sure it was stick, didn't even test drive it (asked the sales guy to take me for a ride) and then limped it out of the parking lot while I taught myself to drive standard... and everyone stared at me. So completely self taught, no one ever told me the good and bad techniques, I just did/do (for the past year and a half) what I think feels right; and now I have to teach my wife to drive stick, so I'll be passing on some bad habits.

So, if I'm doing something wrong, someone PLEASE tell me.

 

Thanks, I will get the fluid changed this week, I hate not being able to do it my temp garage. I would rather skip second then double clutch, it does not grind if i wait a sec to shift into 2nd, just when I normal shift.

 

I have had great luck using Redline trans oil on other vehicles with a slight grind when going into gear. The Redline oil really seems to help the synchros. It might take a month or so before you really see a difference.

At 80,000 miles I just replaced my Mini's trans oil to Redline and I can notice smoother downshifts. I did not have any grinding issues before the oil change.