Manual shifter break-in period

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by marx404, Oct 13, 2007.

  1. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    Is there a point where my '07 ION will become easier to shift? I cringe when
    shifting as it feels like it takes more force on this shifter than say an
    old '03 ION to put the shifter from gear to gear. Is there an expected
    break-in period on this shifter or is this a newer type of shifter than on
    an '03 ION and it just shifts crappy?
     
    marx404, Oct 13, 2007
    #1
  2. marx404

    oppie Guest

    As the clutch surface wears in, only the friction point range should
    change - the clutch pedal distance from starting to grab to fully engaged.
    As it wears in, this distance decreases. Should have absolutely no effect on
    pedal force.

    They might be using a heavier pressure plate spring or different mechanical
    advantage in the pedal to release arm.

    Oppie
     
    oppie, Oct 14, 2007
    #2
  3. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    Heres a CC of my post to SaturnFans, hopefully this is more helpful info,
    didnt get much info there, maybe someone here can look at it here:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ok, I have driven many manual shift IONs and wonder what the ^*&%$# is going
    on with my new '07 sedan. I have had it 3.5 months and it has 4K miles on
    it. I drive sporty, but have never dogged on the shifter. (I haven't driven
    stick in yrs so I have had a couple of learning curve troubles which the
    tranny quickly and audibly corrected me on, driving much better now, thank
    you).

    Getting from 1st to 2nd feels like I have to pull the shift lever with
    unnecessary force. Other gears are OK and quite smooth as far as an
    unbroken-in tranny. Is this a normal feeling for a new manual tranny or are
    my arms just getting weak or will this shifter become easier as it breaks
    in?

    I have compared other new manual IONs on the lot as well as an '03 ION
    (which pleasingly went into all gears nicely) and mine just feels tough to
    get into 2nd gear.
    TIA.

    marx404
     
    marx404, Oct 15, 2007
    #3
  4. marx404

    oppie Guest

    Time to reboot my brain...
    Don't know how I managed to reply to a shifting question with a clutch pedal
    effort answer.

    Let me ask - how does the shifting feel with the engine off and the clutch
    in? Either the clutch may not be totally disengaging and the syncros are
    fighting the engagement or the synchros are dragging on their shafts. If you
    feel like changing the transmission fluid, check for brass particles. Is
    there a magnetic drain plug used on this car?

    Oppie


     
    oppie, Oct 15, 2007
    #4
  5. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    Shifting feels fine and easy with the engine off and the clutch pressed in.
    When the engine is on however, the shifter is most hard getting into 2nd
    gear and sometimes wont allow me if the RPM or engine speed isn't "exactly"
    where it wants to be, even though the shift light on the dash comes on
    telling me to shift. No clue if there is a magnetic drain plug.

    This is a brand new car, so I wont be doing any work myself, however, the
    techs at my dealership suck and wont address a problem unless they feel it
    is obvious to them. (Case in point, my appliqués were rattling techs were
    clueless, I posted here, got an answer, told the techs what to fix.) It
    seems like protocol, I have to tell the techs what the problem is to get
    them to fix it. Only dealership around for 100 mi. :-(

    marx404




     
    marx404, Oct 15, 2007
    #5
  6. marx404

    Oppie Guest

    I would get the shop to change the transmission oil - for starters at least.
    Since you can shift the transmission easilly with the engine off, seems
    reasonable that it is a clutch or synchro issue. How about reverse gear?
    Reverse on most cars does not have a synchro (they assume that you are
    stopped when shifting into rev). If it is a clutch disengagement issue, you
    should grind a bit trying to get it into reverse.

    You mentioned in a separate thread about a creak in the clutch pedal. May be
    indicitive of a larger problem.

    Don't get me started on lazy techs. You read what happened with my lw300 and
    the intermittent no start. Dealer had it almost a week and I told them
    finally to replace the crank angle sensor. Fine ever since. Is it an option
    to go to an independant mechanic and have them bill for warranty service?
    Might be worth it in any event if you can find a good tech, to pay for it
    and avoid the grief.

    Oppie

     
    Oppie, Oct 15, 2007
    #6
  7. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    I spoke with the shop supervisor about the creak, now I have to wait for "my
    tech" to look at it. I expect that he will most likely tell me that he
    doesn't notice any problem or that he will have to spend extra time trouble
    shooting it.
    As I am an employee, I get looked at last, even if it is something serious.
    Not all dealers and mechanics are alike, I just happened to step in the
    smelly pile.

    I am suspicious of the master cylinder as well as the clutch pedal itself.
    Let ya know next week when they get around to looking at it. I have a
    customer who is a Saturn loyalist, he told me about this local mechanic who
    used to be a GM tech, I'm going to check him out, but I don't know if Orig.
    Warranty is useable at anywhere else other than Saturn dealerships.

    marx404
     
    marx404, Oct 16, 2007
    #7
  8. marx404

    Oppie Guest

    Who knows, as they treat an employee as a second class citizen, it would be
    worth having an independant at least diagnose it. Then give the findings to
    your shop and give them the option of paying for the repair under warranty
    or moving it back to their shop to do the repair. I suspect that they may
    find it less expensive to have the other guy do it...
    I have heard that transmission shops are often covered under most
    manufacturer's warranties. Could be a similar arrangement.
     
    Oppie, Oct 16, 2007
    #8
  9. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    The shop finally got to looking at it and found the master cylinder faulty,
    replaced it. Feels like a new shifter again and no more creaky noises. Now I
    just gotta learn to live awith a "synchronized" shifter. I hate having to
    wait for the synchchronizer to catch up, I just like to quickly press the
    clutch down, shift into gear quickly and go. Guess I have been spoiled by
    driving sports cars that you can basically shift how you want to.
     
    marx404, Oct 21, 2007
    #9
  10. marx404

    Oppie Guest

    That was the clutch master cylinder (master-slave)?
    Don't know why the synchros should be a problem still. Should be no
    different than any other manual shift you've ever driven. Try shifting on
    one of the similar cars on your lot to see if it is any different. If yours
    is still harder to shift, get the transmision oil changed and check for
    metal powder or flakes in the oil. this would be evidence of damage to the
    transmission.

    I used to have a '69 VW beetle. I was out in the boonies when the clutch
    throw-out bearing failed. I put the car in first gear and started it. Going
    20 miles in first gear was a bit tedious so I got nervy and tried to shift
    without the clutch. Found that if you just match the engine speed, could
    shift though the gears just fine and without any grinding. I just kept a
    gentle pressure on the shifter trying to pull in into gear (from neutral
    while car was moving) and adjusted the throttle until the right speed was
    achieved and then the shifter just dropped into gear.
     
    Oppie, Oct 22, 2007
    #10
  11. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    The tech said that he bled the master cylinder and saw no metal flakes. Said
    he had to bleed the system as he had to change the master cylinder. I do
    notice that it is easier to shift now, much more like a new ION. Its been 2
    days now, Ill drive a few more and see.....


    --
    marx404


     
    marx404, Oct 23, 2007
    #11
  12. marx404

    Oppie Guest

    Sounds like progress. This is a good thing.
    When I wrote about checking for metal flakes, I meant in the transmission
    oil, not the clutch master cylinder. <smile>
    Sorry for the mis-understanding.

     
    Oppie, Oct 25, 2007
    #12
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