08 Rough 3rd gear shift!

Wulv · 06-30-2008, 04:10 PM

I'm New here and New to Subarus, Just purchased a 08 DGM Sti and have had it for a few weeks. I've noticed that shifting into 3rd gear is not as smooth as any of the other gears, it is noticeably rougher getting it into gear, where as all the other gears have pretty much the same feel when shifting. It has been like this since the car was bought with 6 miles on it. Does anyone else here have a rougher 3rd gear shift, is this normal or something that should be looked at? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

***solovus*** · 06-30-2008, 04:11 PM

I have no noticeable difference getting into 3rd gear.

supermarkus · 06-30-2008, 04:19 PM

When in doubt bring it in while under warranty. If this is your first Subaru, they always have pretty notchy transmissions. It is actually shocking how smooth the 08 is in comparison to other subies I've owned.

inpuressa · 06-30-2008, 04:22 PM

3rd was kinda hard in my WRX too. But it went away after 10K miles. 3rd on my STi sometimes feels notchy, but feels good overall. Should get a little more smooth as everything gets broken in.

**Digitalfiend** · 06-30-2008, 04:37 PM

The only thing I've noticed is when flooring it from a stop is that going into 2nd sometimes catches on the synchros. I'll get a little tat-tat-tat. This didn't happen with the Perrin map or when stock, it only happens with the Cobb stage 1 map. The turbo comes on much more violently in 1st with that map, so I think either drivetrain movement or whatever. 3rd has never been a problem. Overall they really improved the shifting action of the gearbox for '08.

DrPhyzx · 06-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulv

I'm New here and New to Subarus, Just purchased a 08 DGM Sti and have had it for a few weeks. I've noticed that shifting into 3rd gear is not as smooth as any of the other gears, it is noticeably rougher getting it into gear, where as all the other gears have pretty much the same feel when shifting. It has been like this since the car was bought with 6 miles on it. Does anyone else here have a rougher 3rd gear shift, is this normal or something that should be looked at? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

I've noticed it doesn't like to be rushed from 2->3. Not sure if bushings will help.

Iguana · 06-30-2008, 07:20 PM

I thought the gearbox in 08 was identical to the 07 gearbox.

**Digitalfiend** · 06-30-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana

I thought the gearbox in 08 was identical to the 07 gearbox.

Apparently the synchros are slightly revised or what not. It was in the press release when the '08 was officially announced.

RoninHatch · 06-30-2008, 07:41 PM

I read this in my drive performance mag. "triple cone synchronizers and modifed synchronizer chamfers for 1st an 2nd. carbon cone synchronizers for 4th 5th and 6th." No mention of synchros for 3rd?

Angry-cop · 06-30-2008, 08:20 PM

I have it too in 3rd gear.. think its normal.. it will break in and go away nothing to worry about..

Savarak · 06-30-2008, 11:35 PM

i have it too!! its still there a little (2.8k miles)... hopefully it'll really go away sometime... its not as bad as when i first got it so i have high hopes

**Turninconcepts.com** · 07-01-2008, 04:51 AM

There are a couple things that can be done to help smooth out shifting. The first is changing the trans fluid from what comes with it to Motul Gear 300. It will smooth out shifting quite nicely and is relatively inexpensive. You can also install a shifter bushing kit like what we sell to help give you more precise control over gear changes. This will help you to prevent from catching the synchros as you will better be able to feel when it is actually in gear.

Tony

waktasz · 07-01-2008, 05:07 AM

I missed third a few times when I first got my car, but I've either gotten better at it or the car has broken in a bit because the transmission is perfect now.

RAE129 · 07-01-2008, 06:07 AM

I used to miss third when i first picked up my 2007sti. I transitioned from a 04gti and had trouble the first couple of months. After driving the vehicle for a while, i had no issues. I agree wit turninconcepts with changing to motul gear oil. I have heard that it makes a big difference with smoothness.

wulv, drive the vehicle another two weeks or so and see if you continue to have any issues. It may just be that you need to become accustomed to the vehicle.

Wulv · 07-01-2008, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I am coming directly from a Honda and have owned a VW years ago as well as an old 76 pontiac firebird long back that were manual. I know most cars have there little nit pick things about them that tend to wear off after you put some miles on them, but coming from the honda is a totally different world. Never had any issues with shifting, yeah at first it was tight but all gears pretty much had the same feel. The other cars I have all owned were used with some decent miles on them, so they were well broken in by the time I got them. I have about 600 miles on my Sti now, so maybe it just needs breaking in and it will gradually go away. It's not horrible, but it is noticabley hesitant going into third vs the other gears. Maybe after a few thousand it will be completely gone, over all I really like this car!

06-30-2008, 04:10 PM	#1
Wulv Lurker Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I'm New here and New to Subarus, Just purchased a 08 DGM Sti and have had it for a few weeks. I've noticed that shifting into 3rd gear is not as smooth as any of the other gears, it is noticeably rougher getting it into gear, where as all the other gears have pretty much the same feel when shifting. It has been like this since the car was bought with 6 miles on it. Does anyone else here have a rougher 3rd gear shift, is this normal or something that should be looked at? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-30-2008, 04:11 PM	#2
*solovus* Lurker Car: STIzzle Fav Mod: Tint Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 1,752 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I have no noticeable difference getting into 3rd gear.

06-30-2008, 04:19 PM	#3
supermarkus Spec C Club Car: 08 STi, SSM Location: Edmonds Washington Posts: 1,441 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! When in doubt bring it in while under warranty. If this is your first Subaru, they always have pretty notchy transmissions. It is actually shocking how smooth the 08 is in comparison to other subies I've owned.

06-30-2008, 04:22 PM	#4
inpuressa Senior STI Driver Car: 08 STi SSM Fav Mod: Cobb AP Posts: 335 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! 3rd was kinda hard in my WRX too. But it went away after 10K miles. 3rd on my STi sometimes feels notchy, but feels good overall. Should get a little more smooth as everything gets broken in.

06-30-2008, 04:37 PM	#5
Digitalfiend Super Moderator Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: My wife :) Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 5,541 Join Date: Oct 2003 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! The only thing I've noticed is when flooring it from a stop is that going into 2nd sometimes catches on the synchros. I'll get a little tat-tat-tat. This didn't happen with the Perrin map or when stock, it only happens with the Cobb stage 1 map. The turbo comes on much more violently in 1st with that map, so I think either drivetrain movement or whatever. 3rd has never been a problem. Overall they really improved the shifting action of the gearbox for '08.

06-30-2008, 07:20 PM	#7
Iguana Spec C Club Car: 06 Aspen White STI Fav Mod: Defi's Location: Northern California Posts: 1,433 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I thought the gearbox in 08 was identical to the 07 gearbox.

06-30-2008, 07:41 PM	#9
RoninHatch Junior STI Driver Car: AW 08 BBS NAV Fav Mod: Red Tail Overlays Location: San Diego Posts: 171 Join Date: Feb 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I read this in my drive performance mag. "triple cone synchronizers and modifed synchronizer chamfers for 1st an 2nd. carbon cone synchronizers for 4th 5th and 6th." No mention of synchros for 3rd?

06-30-2008, 08:20 PM	#10
Angry-cop Junior STI Driver Car: 08 STi, 08 ZX10r Fav Mod: COBB AP Location: Philly Posts: 50 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I have it too in 3rd gear.. think its normal.. it will break in and go away nothing to worry about..

06-30-2008, 11:35 PM	#11
Savarak Amateur STI Driver Car: OBP 08 STI/NAV/BBS Location: Tucson Posts: 49 Join Date: Apr 2002 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! i have it too!! its still there a little (2.8k miles)... hopefully it'll really go away sometime... its not as bad as when i first got it so i have high hopes

07-01-2008, 04:51 AM	#12
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,070 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! There are a couple things that can be done to help smooth out shifting. The first is changing the trans fluid from what comes with it to Motul Gear 300. It will smooth out shifting quite nicely and is relatively inexpensive. You can also install a shifter bushing kit like what we sell to help give you more precise control over gear changes. This will help you to prevent from catching the synchros as you will better be able to feel when it is actually in gear. Tony

07-01-2008, 05:07 AM	#13
waktasz Professional STI Racer Car: 02 Penis Extender Fav Mod: Autotrader.com Location: Philly Posts: 818 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I missed third a few times when I first got my car, but I've either gotten better at it or the car has broken in a bit because the transmission is perfect now.

07-01-2008, 06:07 AM	#14
RAE129 Junior STI Driver Car: 08 Subaru WRX STI Location: NYC Manhattan-Upper West Posts: 94 Join Date: Jun 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! I used to miss third when i first picked up my 2007sti. I transitioned from a 04gti and had trouble the first couple of months. After driving the vehicle for a while, i had no issues. I agree wit turninconcepts with changing to motul gear oil. I have heard that it makes a big difference with smoothness. wulv, drive the vehicle another two weeks or so and see if you continue to have any issues. It may just be that you need to become accustomed to the vehicle.

07-01-2008, 10:50 AM	#15
Wulv Lurker Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: 08 Rough 3rd gear shift! Thanks for the info guys. I am coming directly from a Honda and have owned a VW years ago as well as an old 76 pontiac firebird long back that were manual. I know most cars have there little nit pick things about them that tend to wear off after you put some miles on them, but coming from the honda is a totally different world. Never had any issues with shifting, yeah at first it was tight but all gears pretty much had the same feel. The other cars I have all owned were used with some decent miles on them, so they were well broken in by the time I got them. I have about 600 miles on my Sti now, so maybe it just needs breaking in and it will gradually go away. It's not horrible, but it is noticabley hesitant going into third vs the other gears. Maybe after a few thousand it will be completely gone, over all I really like this car! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.