Has the 2nd gear grind happened to your FL5 yet?

[fredzy]

I’ve never, ever owned a car in my life that would grind if I didn’t shift slowly or wait until it’s warm or use a certain number of fingers or purposefully or some magic way. You should shift correctly and the car should change gears. I’ve probably owned 30+ cars and have never had this be a problem, which sucks because my CTR is otherwise the best car I’ve ever owned.

I've owned cars with problematic manuals and know what it feels like for one to be sensitive to "perfect inputs or else grind." My FL5 definitely does not require perfect shift behavior. I've done plenty of sloppy driving (huge G force and slippery shift knob FTL!) and I've never had a grind.

I don't doubt all the folks struggling here at all though. So if I got a good one and you got a bad one, what is the difference? How to make yours like mine? That's the question. The only easy adjustment is the clutch pedal, making sure that fully disengages before the floor. So if that doesn't fix it... ?

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[RickyJeezus]

No i have not changed the fluid, and horrible to me is the fact that almost every time i shift, it has a grind or crunch. Either i know that it isn’t normal. It don’t matter if it’s hot or cold but it grinds. No i have not driven another Fl5, very few times have i had a smooth drive and really do love it when it is smooth. I will be doing a fluid change soon to see if it helps, which i shouldn’t have to, only 1k miles. When i had the Si a lot of people told be about the transmission issues they had but i never had anything and by far has been the best car from the FK8 & FL5. But i am aware that these transmissions are trash.

Funny enough I've dealt with what it sounds like you're dealing with with my FK8. As soon as I drove off the lot with it (brand new) I felt the crunch going into 2nd gear. I had the crunch pretty much going into any gear, didn't matter if it was up or down. I drove my friends fk8, which he bought literally 1 week before I bought mine (both brand new) and his shifter felt MUCH better than mine, it felt like what people rave about with these transmissions. I've also driven 2 other fk8s before buying mine and they also had that amazing shifter feel. I swapped out my fluid to the amsoil fluid and I immediately noticed an improvement, but I would still get the crunches all around, just the feel of the shifts felt slightly better. I was still very disappointed because I don't expect to have to modify a brand new car to get it to feel like what it is supposed to feel like stock. Eventually I picked up the Acuity stage 3 full shifter upgrade, and installed it. Took me about 2 days lol but that was what made the difference. It finally felt how I wanted it to feel, especially the cable bushings, those made a huge difference, but it still wasn't perfect. The final thing that helped the feel was actually raising the knob, I screwed on a nut and threw a couple washers on top, then screwed the stock knob back on (weighted perfectly) and that really improved the feel for me, since I also like a higher knob.

All this being said, it could be a lot of things, fluid, actual shifter, but also a lot of people have mentioned on the FK8 forums that just the clutch pedal can be adjusted incorrectly from the factory, and even with you pressing the clutch all the way, it might still not register....also a RMM is also said to be the solution for many people. Another thing I have noticed that shifter feel is a little better when shifting at a mid-high rpm like 3500, rather than at 2500 for example.

I know I have a lot of thoughts about this, because I've been really trying to understand why my fk8 didn't have the same feel as others, and I chalk it up to the factory just getting it wrong, and good luck trying to prove that because the car is 100% operational without fault.

Good news is that there are a lot of upgrades that can improve shifter feel and make it even better than stock, it just depends on what you're willing to do to make it happen.

 

[JonathanA0315]

Funny enough I delt with what it sounds like you're dealing with with my FK8. As soon as I drove off the lot with it (brand new) I felt the crunch going into 2nd gear. I had the crunch pretty much going into any gear, didn't matter if it was up or down. I drove my friends fk8, which he bought literally 1 week before I bought mine (both brand new) and his shifter felt MUCH better than mine, it felt like what people rave about with these transmissions. I've also driven 2 other fk8s before buying mine and they also had that amazing shifter feel. I swapped out my fluid to the amsoil fluid and I immediately noticed an improvement, but I would still get the crunches all around, just the feel of the shifts felt slightly better. I was still very disappointed because I don't expect to have to modify a brand new car to get it to feel like what it is supposed to feel like stock. Eventually I picked up the Acuity stage 3 full shifter upgrade, and installed it. Took me about 2 days lol but that was what made the difference. It finally felt how I wanted it to feel, especially the cable bushings, those made a huge difference, but it still wasn't perfect. The final thing that helped the feel was actually raising the knob, I screwed on a nut and threw a couple washers on top, then screwed the stock knob back on (weighted perfectly) and that really improved the feel for me, since I also like a higher knob.

All this being said, it could be a lot of things, fluid, actual shifter, but also a lot of people have mentioned on the FK8 forums that just the clutch pedal can be adjusted incorrectly from the factory, and even with you pressing the clutch all the way, it might still not register....also a RMM is also said to be the solution for many people. Another thing I have noticed that shifter feel is a little better when shifting at a mid-high rpm like 3500, rather than at 2500 for example.

I know I have a lot of thoughts about this, because I've been really trying to understand why my fk8 didn't have the same feel as others, and I chalk it up to the factory just getting it wrong, and good luck trying to prove that because the car is 100% operational without fault.

Good news is that there are a lot of upgrades that can improve shifter feel and make it even better than stock, it just depends on what you're willing to do to make it happen.
[/QUOT

Funny enough I delt with what it sounds like you're dealing with with my FK8. As soon as I drove off the lot with it (brand new) I felt the crunch going into 2nd gear. I had the crunch pretty much going into any gear, didn't matter if it was up or down. I drove my friends fk8, which he bought literally 1 week before I bought mine (both brand new) and his shifter felt MUCH better than mine, it felt like what people rave about with these transmissions. I've also driven 2 other fk8s before buying mine and they also had that amazing shifter feel. I swapped out my fluid to the amsoil fluid and I immediately noticed an improvement, but I would still get the crunches all around, just the feel of the shifts felt slightly better. I was still very disappointed because I don't expect to have to modify a brand new car to get it to feel like what it is supposed to feel like stock. Eventually I picked up the Acuity stage 3 full shifter upgrade, and installed it. Took me about 2 days lol but that was what made the difference. It finally felt how I wanted it to feel, especially the cable bushings, those made a huge difference, but it still wasn't perfect. The final thing that helped the feel was actually raising the knob, I screwed on a nut and threw a couple washers on top, then screwed the stock knob back on (weighted perfectly) and that really improved the feel for me, since I also like a higher knob.

All this being said, it could be a lot of things, fluid, actual shifter, but also a lot of people have mentioned on the FK8 forums that just the clutch pedal can be adjusted incorrectly from the factory, and even with you pressing the clutch all the way, it might still not register....also a RMM is also said to be the solution for many people. Another thing I have noticed that shifter feel is a little better when shifting at a mid-high rpm like 3500, rather than at 2500 for example.

I know I have a lot of thoughts about this, because I've been really trying to understand why my fk8 didn't have the same feel as others, and I chalk it up to the factory just getting it wrong, and good luck trying to prove that because the car is 100% operational without fault.

Good news is that there are a lot of upgrades that can improve shifter feel and make it even better than stock, it just depends on what you're willing to do to make it happen.

thank you for this, my fk8 was amazing. I been changing my driving style as well and it has been feeling a little better. I have a good friend that has been working at Honda for like 25 years and he told me that a few individuals and loyal customers of Honda have called and had the same complaint but my friend said that unfortunately Honda says that it is completely normal. And yes i noticed that shifting at 3k RPM, the car seems to shift pretty smooth but i will be switching out the fluid and some other updates as well. Thank you for your response and finally someone who understands.

 

[RickyJeezus]

thank you for this, my fk8 was amazing. I been changing my driving style as well and it has been feeling a little better. I have a good friend that has been working at Honda for like 25 years and he told me that a few individuals and loyal customers of Honda have called and had the same complaint but my friend said that unfortunately Honda says that it is completely normal. And yes i noticed that shifting at 3k RPM, the car seems to shift pretty smooth but i will be switching out the fluid and some other updates as well. Thank you for your response and finally someone who understands.

thank you for this, my fk8 was amazing. I been changing my driving style as well and it has been feeling a little better. I have a good friend that has been working at Honda for like 25 years and he told me that a few individuals and loyal customers of Honda have called and had the same complaint but my friend said that unfortunately Honda says that it is completely normal. And yes i noticed that shifting at 3k RPM, the car seems to shift pretty smooth but i will be switching out the fluid and some other updates as well. Thank you for your response and finally someone who understands.

Yes, it's very frustrating because for many people they don't have the same problem, so it's easy for them to say that you're not pushing the clutch in, or something like that. I find it difficult to believe that a car with heavily enthusiast clientele, would have so many of it's customers driving manuals improperly. So therefore it's definitely a vehicle issue, not a driver issue.

Now you have a journey ahead of you of going step by step to find a fix, first thing I would recommend is to ask a dealer to check it your clutch pedal is adjusted to factory specs, there have been instances on the fk8 forums that this has been an issue and a fix for shifting quality.

Second, I would probably look into doing a RMM, it sounds like the PRL one has very good NVH.

After all that is when I would look into doing fluid, and then maybe cable bushing upgrade, no real need to go for the full shifter upgrade. If fluid is the same process as the fk8, it would make sense to do it when you're also doing a service, or maybe if you have plans to install an intake, since you have to remove all of that stuff to get to the drain.

 

[Gansan]

Yes, it's very frustrating because for many people they don't have the same problem, so it's easy for them to say that you're not pushing the clutch in, or something like that. I find it difficult to believe that a car with heavily enthusiast clientele, would have so many of it's customers driving manuals improperly. So therefore it's definitely a vehicle issue, not a driver issue.

Now you have a journey ahead of you of going step by step to find a fix, first thing I would recommend is to ask a dealer to check it your clutch pedal is adjusted to factory specs, there have been instances on the fk8 forums that this has been an issue and a fix for shifting quality.

Second, I would probably look into doing a RMM, it sounds like the PRL one has very good NVH.

After all that is when I would look into doing fluid, and then maybe cable bushing upgrade, no real need to go for the full shifter upgrade. If fluid is the same process as the fk8, it would make sense to do it when you're also doing a service, or maybe if you have plans to install an intake, since you have to remove all of that stuff to get to the drain.

I think the reason many people want the driver to carefully examine whether they made a mistake is that releasing the clutch just a few tenths of a second early can lead to a grind. It's a super common mistake that I and millions of others have made many times.

Something I would like to ask is how changing the brand of clutch fluid would change this behavior. I don't see how it possibly could.

Bleeding the clutch, however, can help because eliminating bubbles would help make the clutch fully disengaged at the bottom of pedal travel in the same way adjusting the clutch would.

 

[modern_sports_car]

If this is indeed driver error, it would be a first for me and I’ve been driving from more than 30 years. Just doesn’t make sense.

I doubt it’s one single issue affecting everybody, but the one thing they all *do* have in common is the car and its mechanical engineering.

 

[JonathanA0315]

Yes, it's very frustrating because for many people they don't have the same problem, so it's easy for them to say that you're not pushing the clutch in, or something like that. I find it difficult to believe that a car with heavily enthusiast clientele, would have so many of it's customers driving manuals improperly. So therefore it's definitely a vehicle issue, not a driver issue.

Now you have a journey ahead of you of going step by step to find a fix, first thing I would recommend is to ask a dealer to check it your clutch pedal is adjusted to factory specs, there have been instances on the fk8 forums that this has been an issue and a fix for shifting quality.

Second, I would probably look into doing a RMM, it sounds like the PRL one has very good NVH.

After all that is when I would look into doing fluid, and then maybe cable bushing upgrade, no real need to go for the full shifter upgrade. If fluid is the same process as the fk8, it would make sense to do it when you're also doing a service, or maybe if you have plans to install an intake, since you have to remove all of that stuff to get to the drain.

I will try to ask the dealership but its so hard to get them to do anything. And yes all the stuff you recommended i already had it in mind but i just need time and I’ll get it done. Thanks for the advice. I just didn’t expect this from a so called performance vehicle. I’ve been driving stick for a while and i know it ain’t normal.

 

[Noize]

I’ve owned an FK8 and two FL5s. I still have one FL5. I bought them all new.

I’ve had issues with zero of their shifters.

Having said all of that, I have a friend with an FK8, and their shifter would definitely grind second if you tried to rush it. So weird.

 

[RickyJeezus]

I will try to ask the dealership but its so hard to get them to do anything. And yes all the stuff you recommended i already had it in mind but i just need time and I’ll get it done. Thanks for the advice. I just didn’t expect this from a so called performance vehicle. I’ve been driving stick for a while and i know it ain’t normal.

Again, I don't think its necessarily the car, because if it was then every single one would have the same issue....it seems like its something during the manufacturing process, or quality control.

 

[JonathanA0315]

I think the reason many people want the driver to carefully examine whether they made a mistake is that releasing the clutch just a few tenths of a second early can lead to a grind. It's a super common mistake that I and millions of others have made many times.

Something I would like to ask is how changing the brand of clutch fluid would change this behavior. I don't see how it possibly could.

Bleeding the clutch, however, can help because eliminating bubbles would help make the clutch fully disengaged at the bottom of pedal travel in the same way adjusting the clutch would.

Again, I don't think its necessarily the car, because if it was then every single one would have the same issue....it seems like its something during the manufacturing process, or quality control.

yes thats what i think as well, im just the lucky one. But i will say that changing my driving style has helped a lot and man this car is amazing when no crunching or grinding is involved. Have you changed out the bushings on yours? If so what did you go with? I went on Acuity but it doesn’t specify if the product is for the typeR platform.

 

[Integra23]

I have RMM, acuity bushings, and hybrid shifter. No change. 2nd gear you can feel it catch/drag when up or down shifting. No grinds in any other gear. I also adjusted the clutch pedal. Should all slop be removed from the clutch pedal? I adjusted to hit hit the white piece but that still seems to have all in it.
Fluid is next.
Anything else?

 

[modern_sports_car]

Sheesh. Those are the exact steps I was getting ready to take. Thanks for taking taking away my hope. ??

If I’d try fluid next. Have you tried the dealer/warranty?

 

[modern_sports_car]

I just experienced another 2nd gear grind moments ago. This time I did not try accelerate fast. I already made an appointment with the service department of where I got mine for this Saturday. Will update my findings.

Did you ever get an answer from dealer here?

 

[RickyJeezus]

yes thats what i think as well, im just the lucky one. But i will say that changing my driving style has helped a lot and man this car is amazing when no crunching or grinding is involved. Have you changed out the bushings on yours? If so what did you go with? I went on Acuity but it doesn’t specify if the product is for the typeR platform.

I did the fully adjustable stage 3 acuity kit, so its the full assembly, including cable bushings. I had installed the shifter first, with the base bushings, and that transformed the shifter into a tight/stiff shifter. (My settings are on the tallest height, with middle gate spacing and throws) However when I installed the cable bushings the next day, that's what improved shifter quality the most.

 

[Integra23]

Sheesh. Those are the exact steps I was getting ready to take. Thanks for taking taking away my hope. ??

If I’d try fluid next. Have you tried the dealer/warranty?

I haven't and with after market bushings and shifter I'm sure the will say it's a me issue

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