A few weeks ago I asked if others had problems getting their WRX into first gear (thanks for all the responses). I now double-clutch and that helps somewhat. However, I have a follow-up comment/question.

After driving on the highway for a while, it sometimes happens that, after stopping, when I attempt to shift into first, I get an aweful grinding sound and the stick vibrates. I promise that the car is almost stopped and the clutch is all the way down. It's as if the car were suddenly going from reverse to first. Any comments?

This happens to me at times, even after having the unit rebuilt recently. Do a search. I'm getting some Redline Heavy Shockproof to see if it helps it. There is a lot to read on this so spend the time on it and put it in second before you put it in first to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Mark

The 1st gear problem is normal. Try a hefty blip of the throttle while you are trying to get into gear say 3.5K or so. Dont throw the shifter into 1st ease into it.

Thanks guys; that's helpful. Given that this has only happened a handful of times, how much damage (if any) have I done, and to which part of the car was it done?

Originally posted by Hoodwinkles
...the car is almost stopped and the clutch is all the way down...

Even if you're at a standstill with the stick in neutral but the clutch out, the engine will still be spinning the input shaft while the output shaft is not moving. If you're trying to put it into first gear the moment you depress the clutch, the input shaft will still be spinning, giving you that awful vibrating grinding... Just wait a second or 2 to let the input shaft slow down then put it into first.

[well, that's my theory anyways...] :D [just gotta give everything time to match up, even with double clutching, you still have to time everything properly] :)

I think Psydotek's theory is correct. I have the exact same symptons since about 20K miles - grinding into first from a dead stop when the tranny is hot. If I put the clutch in and count "two mississippi's" it hardly ever grinds.
I had to wait to engage first gear in a couple old air cooled VW's I had. However, I've never driven a car newer than 1980 which has done this. It's just a bad design, imho.
I read in another post that Subaru is catching up with the 90's and putting dual cone syncros in their MT's soon.

my 1st gear grind started after I put in Mobil1 75-90. I'm going back to the dealer for OE oil...

Originally posted by Psydotek
Even if you're at a standstill with the stick in neutral but the clutch out, the engine will still be spinning the input shaft while the output shaft is not moving. If you're trying to put it into first gear the moment you depress the clutch, the input shaft will still be spinning, giving you that awful vibrating grinding... Just wait a second or 2 to let the input shaft slow down then put it into first.

[well, that's my theory anyways...] :D [just gotta give everything time to match up, even with double clutching, you still have to time everything properly] :)

I second that. Engine has to idle and as long as your clutch is out input shaft is spinning with the engine. Just give it 2 secs.

If you were standing still when this happened, I don't think the damage could be severe. The speed difference between two shafts should be minimal if it was just caused by engine idling. Although I would say it also depends on how hard you forced it in.

I had the same problem and it turned out to be a transmission problem. Had to get it rebuilt.

Good luck.

1st is such a pain to put into... I had this problem since day 1.