2011 WRX 3rd Gear Grinding?

2011WRXOBP · 09-13-2012, 08:29 PM

Anyone experience grinding going into third on a 2011 WRX? Especially noticeable on cold mornings so I was thinking might be related to the clutch howling issue I know others have experienced...Planning on taking it into the dealer for some more terrible service, but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced the same issue?

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Unabomber · 09-13-2012, 08:43 PM

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2405161

2011WRXOBP · 09-13-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unabomber

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2405161

I apologize if this is issue has been hashed-out elsewhere, but that guy has an 04' and mine is a 11' under warranty. Wanted to see if other newer wrx owners have been to the dealer for the same issue...

XERO287 · 09-13-2012, 08:53 PM

If it's under warranty, why not ask SOA or the dealer?

2011WRXOBP · 09-13-2012, 08:57 PM

I intend to... Wanted to see if anyone else experienced the same thing... In other words, if this is a common issue or unique to my car...

kingme · 09-13-2012, 09:04 PM

Mine does it, occasionally. It's not frequent or violent enough for me to do anything about it.

Interested to see if it's an issue or just another 5MT quirk...

XERO287 · 09-13-2012, 09:06 PM

I think you're just trying to shift too fast while being careless. I've done it once, I recognized that I was sloppy on that shift though.

lj8915 · 09-13-2012, 10:20 PM

My problem is with 2nd gear.

I freaking hate 2nd gear on this car. Can't get it smooth hardly ever.

rholliday04 · 09-13-2012, 11:53 PM

I talked to my mechanic and he was saying that unless it's a rough shift every single time (or very frequently) then it's not an issue with the tranny but with the hydraulics in the clutch, after I started double clutching into 3rd (i'm the one with the post about the 04) it shifts perfect meaning it's some leaking hydraulic seals....i think

2011WRXOBP · 09-14-2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XERO287

I think you're just trying to shift too fast while being careless. I've done it once, I recognized that I was sloppy on that shift though.

No. I obviously would've tried to shift extra carefully once I noticed the problem... Before posting this... I think u lack common sense.

2011WRXOBP · 09-14-2012, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rholliday04

I talked to my mechanic and he was saying that unless it's a rough shift every single time (or very frequently) then it's not an issue with the tranny but with the hydraulics in the clutch, after I started double clutching into 3rd (i'm the one with the post about the 04) it shifts perfect meaning it's some leaking hydraulic seals....i think

This actually sounds plausible I'll definitely ask the subaru mechanic about this, thanks for the RELEVANT info.

erik11876 · 09-14-2012, 08:11 AM

If it's only slightly crunchy, just change out your trans oil to Andrewtech or Uncle Scotty's cocktail, bam, problem solved. I had a slight crunch into third on cold mornings and Andrewtech's coctail fixed it like a champ.

taekyong15 · 09-14-2012, 09:26 AM

i have this similar issue. when im on 2nd gear at 3k RPM, and slow down when the RPM goes down, i hear grinding sound. i hear this around 2.5k - 2k RPM. I started to notice on 3rd gear too, but most i hear from the 2nd gear when RPM goes down from 3k to 2k RPM.

i did have chance to take it to the dealer yet, but im going to soon.

let me know if anyone have this issue too..

2011WRXOBP · 09-14-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erik11876

If it's only slightly crunchy, just change out your trans oil to Andrewtech or Uncle Scotty's cocktail, bam, problem solved. I had a slight crunch into third on cold mornings and Andrewtech's coctail fixed it like a champ.

Thanks for the tip but I'm not spending a dime while it's under warranty... The dealer can do that for me.

the suicidal eggroll · 09-14-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taekyong15

i have this similar issue. when im on 2nd gear at 3k RPM, and slow down when the RPM goes down, i hear grinding sound. i hear this around 2.5k - 2k RPM. I started to notice on 3rd gear too, but most i hear from the 2nd gear when RPM goes down from 3k to 2k RPM.

i did have chance to take it to the dealer yet, but im going to soon.

let me know if anyone have this issue too..

Growling on decel is normal for all 5MT and 6MT. This has nothing to do with the OP's question though.

erik11876 · 09-14-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011WRXOBP

Thanks for the tip but I'm not spending a dime while it's under warranty... The dealer can do that for me.

Dood...Dealers don't cover fluid changes, lol. Demand they put in some fresh Extra-S and be done with it, but I'll doubt they will do it.

2011WRXOBP · 09-14-2012, 01:59 PM

Does the tranny fluid need to be changed at 20k miles? If not, they're paying for it, if so, then I'll pay

chanomatik · 09-14-2012, 02:34 PM

Problem:

Long story short:
Since Day 1 my 3rd gear shifts were always kind of notchy and rubbed a bit. Sometimes the shifter would pop out and I'd "grind", but I always assumed that I was just shifting wrong. I asked around NASIOC and the dealership and was assured that it was just a WRX quirk. This having been my 3rd turbocharged Subaru, but 1st WRX, I continued to drive it like I normally would. At 20k miles I had the fluid changed to Extra-S. At 29k miles my 4th gear started popping out, too. I scheduled to get the fluid changed and a week before the appointment at 34.5k miles the shift fork broke.

There's a lot of debate about this, but here are the facts:
- With my new shift fork my car now shifts better than it ever did from the day I drove it off the lot
- After driving kyletakahero's 2012 WRX and _davin's 2011 WRX I can tell you that any kind of rubbing, grinding, notch or clip of shifting is NOT normal. Something IS wrong.
- Since I've posted about my issue I've received about 15 different messages from either local or non-local parties that are having similar issues with either their 3rd gear or even 2nd gear not being smooth.

Theory:
I believe that the shift forks are coming misaligned from the factory, but offset ever so slightly so that only a few cars are affected every several thousand or so. That's the best anyone's been able to guess, so far.

Steps to Remedy:

Call SoA at 1-800-SUBARU3, #4, #4 and set up a Warranty Claim yourself. Have a specific, trusted dealership in mind. If your car is modified, as in tuned, then prepare for an uphill battle.

Warning:
Some people on here WILL hate and say that you suck at driving and that there's nothing wrong with these cars. Don't waste your time defending yourself. They're not worth the hassle. Let them live in their tiny worlds. You'll be busy enough dealing with reality.

Advice:
Be prepared to pay for the repair out-of-pocket first. My repair cost me $1500 since a transmission teardown is Mitchell-rated at a flat $1k. If you have friends or can do the transmission teardown yourself then I advise you get it done.

I'll subscribe to this thread to check in on your progress.

I will let you know that since I've had the car back I've purposely driven it hard to test it out and have not had a single missed shift or anything. Before, even when the car was new, sometimes I'd just drive normally to work and the shifter wouldn't settle in ALL the way, would pop out, and I'd grind. It killed my driving confidence slowly over the past 2 years that I've owned the car. I wish I had money to throw at it sooner, but I didn't.

Thanks for making this thread.

2011WRXOBP · 09-15-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chanomatik

Problem:

Long story short:
Since Day 1 my 3rd gear shifts were always kind of notchy and rubbed a bit. Sometimes the shifter would pop out and I'd "grind", but I always assumed that I was just shifting wrong. I asked around NASIOC and the dealership and was assured that it was just a WRX quirk. This having been my 3rd turbocharged Subaru, but 1st WRX, I continued to drive it like I normally would. At 20k miles I had the fluid changed to Extra-S. At 29k miles my 4th gear started popping out, too. I scheduled to get the fluid changed and a week before the appointment at 34.5k miles the shift fork broke.

There's a lot of debate about this, but here are the facts:
- With my new shift fork my car now shifts better than it ever did from the day I drove it off the lot
- After driving kyletakahero's 2012 WRX and _davin's 2011 WRX I can tell you that any kind of rubbing, grinding, notch or clip of shifting is NOT normal. Something IS wrong.
- Since I've posted about my issue I've received about 15 different messages from either local or non-local parties that are having similar issues with either their 3rd gear or even 2nd gear not being smooth.

Theory:
I believe that the shift forks are coming misaligned from the factory, but offset ever so slightly so that only a few cars are affected every several thousand or so. That's the best anyone's been able to guess, so far.

Steps to Remedy:

Call SoA at 1-800-SUBARU3, #4, #4 and set up a Warranty Claim yourself. Have a specific, trusted dealership in mind. If your car is modified, as in tuned, then prepare for an uphill battle.

Warning:
Some people on here WILL hate and say that you suck at driving and that there's nothing wrong with these cars. Don't waste your time defending yourself. They're not worth the hassle. Let them live in their tiny worlds. You'll be busy enough dealing with reality.

Advice:
Be prepared to pay for the repair out-of-pocket first. My repair cost me $1500 since a transmission teardown is Mitchell-rated at a flat $1k. If you have friends or can do the transmission teardown yourself then I advise you get it done.

I'll subscribe to this thread to check in on your progress.

I will let you know that since I've had the car back I've purposely driven it hard to test it out and have not had a single missed shift or anything. Before, even when the car was new, sometimes I'd just drive normally to work and the shifter wouldn't settle in ALL the way, would pop out, and I'd grind. It killed my driving confidence slowly over the past 2 years that I've owned the car. I wish I had money to throw at it sooner, but I didn't.

Thanks for making this thread.

^ exactly why I started this thread... Awesome info (sucks that I have to pay but at least now I know why)... My car is completely stock though, so I'm hoping that will give me some momentum when negotiating with the dealer... Can't thank you enough for your post

chanomatik · 09-15-2012, 04:12 PM

Hey, no problem! Since your car is stock I doubt you'll have to pay, but just BE PREPARED. The timing of shift fork failure was convenient in that I had just acquired enough money to cover the bill initially. Any time before that I never had $1500 to my name to have it diagnosed and repaired out of my own pocket.

I will let you know that the replacement shift fork is not a regularly stocked item. My mechanic had to order it from a Subaru dealer on the east coast after spending roughly 4 hours calling around locally and from coast to coast in the Lower 48. He had it shipped UPS Red, so that's probably why my bill was about $100 more than it needed to be.

Let us know when you've set up a Warranty Claim with Subaru. If you have options of which dealership you're going to have look at, but don't have one in mind, ask others in your local forum which one has the least hatred for turbocharged Boxer motors.

RM_2 · 09-15-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lj8915

My problem is with 2nd gear.

I freaking hate 2nd gear on this car. Can't get it smooth hardly ever.

Neither can I. I'm going to chalk it up to being a newb at driving stick but my shifts from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th are perfectly fine and smooth. I just...don't understand.

2011WRXOBP · 09-16-2012, 01:31 PM

I'll definitely post an update once I've made a warranty claim and taken the car in... I've already had several bad encounters with the dealer but I think it's a good idea to start with SOA first.

Ian G. · 09-16-2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM_2

Neither can I. I'm going to chalk it up to being a newb at driving stick but my shifts from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th are perfectly fine and smooth. I just...don't understand.

don't know if you guys are new to AWD platforms, but there is a lot more drivetrain shock/movement to deliver power to all four wheels. the combo of transmount bushings/shifter bushings front-rear/ group n trans mount should get rid of a lot of the sloppy/clunky feel you are experiencing (cheap mods, only downside is a tad more noise in the cabin), obviously the OPs got a different issue...but the sloppy second gear feeling can be fixed easy

chanomatik · 09-16-2012, 05:53 PM

Thanks for bringing that to light, Ian. My car has Kartboy front and rear shifter bushings and a Group N transmission mount. I've never had an issue with 2nd gear.

bicycle_wreck · 09-21-2012, 09:51 AM

Mine feels like it rubs or scratches during the 2nd to 3rd shift sometimes. Does it at least once every time I drive the car. It used to not do it at all. No audible noises from the shift, just the 'grab ass' feeling from the shifter.

I've noticed that if I short shift at like 2,500 RPM, it is much, much more likely to do it. I push the clutch in all the way during shifts, but it doesn't really seem to matter. Doesn't do it in neutral; only does it when the car is under load.

Every thread I could find on this problem blamed the driver. Every. Single. One. Just from what I have seen with my car, the build quality on the 3G's is sub-par compared to the older Subarus.

So far I have racked up:
-Car refusing to go into 4th gear, 90 miles (got better and better during break-in, doesn't do it anymore)
-Fluctuating temperature gauge, 500 miles (still does it, been in the shop 3 times)
-Wacky turn signal, 1500 miles (fixed it myself)
-Dead water pump, 2100 miles (replaced at dealership)
-Noisy TOB in the morning, 3000 miles (still does it)
-Starter interrupt switch on clutch pedal stuck, car wouldn't start, 3500 miles (unstuck the switch myself so I could go to work, dealership couldn't replicate, hasn't happened again)
-Center console lid wouldn't stay shut, 5500 miles (fixed it myself)

Car is bone stock and currently has ~7300 miles. Can't wait to see what happens next.

09-13-2012, 08:29 PM	#1
2011WRXOBP Scooby Newbie Member#: 268088 Join Date: Dec 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan OBP	2011 WRX 3rd Gear Grinding? Anyone experience grinding going into third on a 2011 WRX? Especially noticeable on cold mornings so I was thinking might be related to the clutch howling issue I know others have experienced...Planning on taking it into the dealer for some more terrible service, but wanted to see if anyone else has experienced the same issue? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-13-2012, 08:43 PM	#2
Unabomber Big Ron Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I can save you a ton of cash Vehicle: on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy	http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2405161

09-13-2012, 08:53 PM	#4
XERO287 Scooby Specialist Member#: 253541 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Silver Spring, MD Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5DR Premium OBP	If it's under warranty, why not ask SOA or the dealer?

09-13-2012, 08:57 PM	#5
2011WRXOBP Scooby Newbie Member#: 268088 Join Date: Dec 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan OBP	I intend to... Wanted to see if anyone else experienced the same thing... In other words, if this is a common issue or unique to my car...

09-13-2012, 09:04 PM	#6
kingme Scooby Newbie Member#: 280943 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northeast Vehicle: '11 WRX	Mine does it, occasionally. It's not frequent or violent enough for me to do anything about it. Interested to see if it's an issue or just another 5MT quirk...

09-13-2012, 09:06 PM	#7
XERO287 Scooby Specialist Member#: 253541 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Silver Spring, MD Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5DR Premium OBP	I think you're just trying to shift too fast while being careless. I've done it once, I recognized that I was sloppy on that shift though.

09-13-2012, 10:20 PM	#8
lj8915 Scooby Newbie Member#: 329252 Join Date: Aug 2012 Vehicle: 2012 Subaru WRX	My problem is with 2nd gear. I freaking hate 2nd gear on this car. Can't get it smooth hardly ever.

09-13-2012, 11:53 PM	#9
rholliday04 Scooby Newbie Member#: 312122 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Vehicle: 2000 Forester L White	I talked to my mechanic and he was saying that unless it's a rough shift every single time (or very frequently) then it's not an issue with the tranny but with the hydraulics in the clutch, after I started double clutching into 3rd (i'm the one with the post about the 04) it shifts perfect meaning it's some leaking hydraulic seals....i think

09-14-2012, 08:11 AM	#12
erik11876 Scooby Newbie Member#: 275888 Join Date: Mar 2011 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Frederick MD Vehicle: 2011 WRX Limited SWP	If it's only slightly crunchy, just change out your trans oil to Andrewtech or Uncle Scotty's cocktail, bam, problem solved. I had a slight crunch into third on cold mornings and Andrewtech's coctail fixed it like a champ.

09-14-2012, 09:26 AM	#13
taekyong15 Scooby Newbie Member#: 300268 Join Date: Nov 2011	i have this similar issue. when im on 2nd gear at 3k RPM, and slow down when the RPM goes down, i hear grinding sound. i hear this around 2.5k - 2k RPM. I started to notice on 3rd gear too, but most i hear from the 2nd gear when RPM goes down from 3k to 2k RPM. i did have chance to take it to the dealer yet, but im going to soon. let me know if anyone have this issue too..

09-14-2012, 01:59 PM	#17
2011WRXOBP Scooby Newbie Member#: 268088 Join Date: Dec 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan OBP	Does the tranny fluid need to be changed at 20k miles? If not, they're paying for it, if so, then I'll pay

09-14-2012, 02:34 PM	#18
chanomatik NASIOC Supporter Member#: 159474 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: East Anchorage (yuck!) Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Ltd 6MT CBS Counter-steer like a boss	Problem: Long story short: Since Day 1 my 3rd gear shifts were always kind of notchy and rubbed a bit. Sometimes the shifter would pop out and I'd "grind", but I always assumed that I was just shifting wrong. I asked around NASIOC and the dealership and was assured that it was just a WRX quirk. This having been my 3rd turbocharged Subaru, but 1st WRX, I continued to drive it like I normally would. At 20k miles I had the fluid changed to Extra-S. At 29k miles my 4th gear started popping out, too. I scheduled to get the fluid changed and a week before the appointment at 34.5k miles the shift fork broke. There's a lot of debate about this, but here are the facts: - With my new shift fork my car now shifts better than it ever did from the day I drove it off the lot - After driving kyletakahero's 2012 WRX and _davin's 2011 WRX I can tell you that any kind of rubbing, grinding, notch or clip of shifting is NOT normal. Something IS wrong. - Since I've posted about my issue I've received about 15 different messages from either local or non-local parties that are having similar issues with either their 3rd gear or even 2nd gear not being smooth. Theory: I believe that the shift forks are coming misaligned from the factory, but offset ever so slightly so that only a few cars are affected every several thousand or so. That's the best anyone's been able to guess, so far. Steps to Remedy: Call SoA at 1-800-SUBARU3, #4, #4 and set up a Warranty Claim yourself. Have a specific, trusted dealership in mind. If your car is modified, as in tuned, then prepare for an uphill battle. Warning: Some people on here WILL hate and say that you suck at driving and that there's nothing wrong with these cars. Don't waste your time defending yourself. They're not worth the hassle. Let them live in their tiny worlds. You'll be busy enough dealing with reality. Advice: Be prepared to pay for the repair out-of-pocket first. My repair cost me $1500 since a transmission teardown is Mitchell-rated at a flat $1k. If you have friends or can do the transmission teardown yourself then I advise you get it done. I'll subscribe to this thread to check in on your progress. I will let you know that since I've had the car back I've purposely driven it hard to test it out and have not had a single missed shift or anything. Before, even when the car was new, sometimes I'd just drive normally to work and the shifter wouldn't settle in ALL the way, would pop out, and I'd grind. It killed my driving confidence slowly over the past 2 years that I've owned the car. I wish I had money to throw at it sooner, but I didn't. Thanks for making this thread.

09-15-2012, 04:12 PM	#20
chanomatik NASIOC Supporter Member#: 159474 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: East Anchorage (yuck!) Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Ltd 6MT CBS Counter-steer like a boss	Hey, no problem! Since your car is stock I doubt you'll have to pay, but just BE PREPARED. The timing of shift fork failure was convenient in that I had just acquired enough money to cover the bill initially. Any time before that I never had $1500 to my name to have it diagnosed and repaired out of my own pocket. I will let you know that the replacement shift fork is not a regularly stocked item. My mechanic had to order it from a Subaru dealer on the east coast after spending roughly 4 hours calling around locally and from coast to coast in the Lower 48. He had it shipped UPS Red, so that's probably why my bill was about $100 more than it needed to be. Let us know when you've set up a Warranty Claim with Subaru. If you have options of which dealership you're going to have look at, but don't have one in mind, ask others in your local forum which one has the least hatred for turbocharged Boxer motors.

09-16-2012, 01:31 PM	#22
2011WRXOBP Scooby Newbie Member#: 268088 Join Date: Dec 2010 Chapter/Region: SCIC Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan OBP	I'll definitely post an update once I've made a warranty claim and taken the car in... I've already had several bad encounters with the dealer but I think it's a good idea to start with SOA first.

09-16-2012, 05:53 PM	#24
chanomatik NASIOC Supporter Member#: 159474 Join Date: Sep 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: East Anchorage (yuck!) Vehicle: 2013 BRZ Ltd 6MT CBS Counter-steer like a boss	Thanks for bringing that to light, Ian. My car has Kartboy front and rear shifter bushings and a Group N transmission mount. I've never had an issue with 2nd gear.

09-21-2012, 09:51 AM	#25
bicycle_wreck Scooby Newbie Member#: 226331 Join Date: Oct 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Knoxville, TN Vehicle: 2012 WRX Hatch Papa Smurf	Mine feels like it rubs or scratches during the 2nd to 3rd shift sometimes. Does it at least once every time I drive the car. It used to not do it at all. No audible noises from the shift, just the 'grab ass' feeling from the shifter. I've noticed that if I short shift at like 2,500 RPM, it is much, much more likely to do it. I push the clutch in all the way during shifts, but it doesn't really seem to matter. Doesn't do it in neutral; only does it when the car is under load. Every thread I could find on this problem blamed the driver. Every. Single. One. Just from what I have seen with my car, the build quality on the 3G's is sub-par compared to the older Subarus. So far I have racked up: -Car refusing to go into 4th gear, 90 miles (got better and better during break-in, doesn't do it anymore) -Fluctuating temperature gauge, 500 miles (still does it, been in the shop 3 times) -Wacky turn signal, 1500 miles (fixed it myself) -Dead water pump, 2100 miles (replaced at dealership) -Noisy TOB in the morning, 3000 miles (still does it) -Starter interrupt switch on clutch pedal stuck, car wouldn't start, 3500 miles (unstuck the switch myself so I could go to work, dealership couldn't replicate, hasn't happened again) -Center console lid wouldn't stay shut, 5500 miles (fixed it myself) Car is bone stock and currently has ~7300 miles. Can't wait to see what happens next.