Ummm guys, i have a problem. ive had my 5-speed LS for about 2 weeks now, and all of the sudden one day i tried to back out of a parking spot and it wouldnt let me in reverse. My car doesnt have the lift, or push down or whatever to get it in reverse. Im not a moron either i have the clutch pushed all the way in and it still wont go, i have to let about half way up and it makes the awful grinding noise. I push the clutch back and put it in nutrual, then let off the clutch 2-3 times and try again it usually goes in but not without making the shifter shake, and a grinding noise. I plan on taking it to the dealer but i was wondering if anybody had any thoughts.

 

It has happened to me 2 times now. Really weird, but alot things with this car are weird.

 

Try putting it in second geag first them go into reverse.

 

Only way I can get my car into reverse without grinding is I put it into 1st right before without letting the clutch out, other gears probably work too, but I just use first since it works for me.

 

Oh well I took it to the dealer, and I "have a definate problem, and our transmission guy has to pull apart the whole transmission". So i got a rental car, and now we wait. Just some advice DO NOT! USE ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL, they will NOT pick you up, and they WILL blow you off.

 

I sometimes have to creep FWD a bit.. then Reverse..

 

the problem you are having is called transmission spin down. if the transmission is not engaged for a period of time (generally upwards of 30 sec.) the transmission main shaft starts to spin at a lower rpm than the engine. and since reverse is not synchronized. hence it has no synchros to ease gear engagement. then you get a grinding noise. so push the clutch in and put the car in first or second or just hold the clutch in for a little bit then put it in reverse. now im not saying that this is the root cause for all reverse grinding concerns. there could be a problem if nothing keeps it from grinding and it happens all the time.

 

finally someone posted this....

since day 1 that I bought this ******* car this has happennend. SS/SC by the way. I can be sitting completely still and put it in reverse and grind... sometimes Ill be at a slight roll out of my driveway and grind.... sometimes I just start my car up and throw it in reverse and grind... hell sometimes I have to fight my car to go into reverse..... this is the third stick i have owned and the first one that has ever done this... it is so embarrasing when you are at the gas station and you grind and people look at you like you cant drive.

 

It's happened to me since day 1. I just put it into first gear then to reverse and there is no problem.

Also when I needed a rental, Enterprise worked for me pretty well.

 

UPDATE: The dealer ordered a new reverse gear, and syncos for the 4,5 gears so hopefully it will correct the issue. but I'll have to try the 1st, then reverse trick if it doesnt work. And, 1stbluSS i know exactly what you mean about it being embarrasing, but hopfully the dealer can fix it, or ill take it back 2 more times get it documented and get a whole new car... lol

 

Hmmmmmm??? I have an SS S/C And I have yet to get a grind going in to revers. I used to all the time in my cavya but the SS has never done it.
It will be going to the dealer if it ever dose though.
From what I have been able to find the revers gear in the SS S/C dose have a sinchronizer on it and should not do this ever.
As for the base I have no clue.

Later

 

I MUST put it in first before engaging reverse or it will grind.

 

point be taken you should have to put it into any gear frist to get it into reverse..i would say that is probably a flaw in the trans on gms part

 

Some times I will grind putting my car into 4th gear while not moving

 

why do you put your car in 4th while not moving ???lol

but i relized sometimes it hard for me to get into reverse or 1st i have to let the car roll a little and then it drops in no problem

 

Good 'ol search does wonders....sorry to bring back a semi-old thread, but I have also had reverse grind a couple times since I got my SS last week. This is my first manual, but I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong. Good to see I'm not the only one that has had this problem.

 

You guys with the SS/SC should not have a problem of grinding going into reverse because you have a synchronizer in reverse. I don't think that the other manual has a synchronized reverse. Only recommendation I would make is to pause one moment before engaging reverse after the clutch is fully depressed. Also, it is a good practice to stop the gear set by engaging a forward gear first especially if you do not have a synchronized reverse. Even if you do have a synchronized reverse be aware that the reverse synchro would be the least robust one in the trans because it is not intended to do the work that say a 1-2 synchro does.

 

The Cobalt (mine anyways) has an awesome reverse, Pops in like warm butter. When I got the Cobalt I actually thought how well it went into reverse. Surprised to hear about some members tranny's.

My other car is a different matter. I have to do the first then reverse trick.

 

i have the problem... and i have an ss s/c

 

Mike, I am very surprised. We have the trans that GM calls the F35. It is a good box. Are you sure that you are not engaging reverse either 1. Very quickly after depressing clutch (less than 1-2 seconds) or 2. without the pedal all the way to the floor or 3. with the car rolling? Any of these conditions WILL make clash highly probable going into reverse. Also, if you have an aftermarket clutch, how are your shift efforts while driving in the forward gears?

You guys out there with the F23 trans, do not have a synchronized reverse and it will be much more susceptible to clash if you do not wait 2-3 seconds after full depression of the pedal. Also, if the vehicle is moving at all, it will grind. Everyone but the SS/SC owners have the F23 if you have a manual transmission.

 

I talked to the dealer about this and he said the reverse is not syncronised(sp) but we all know how accurate the dealers are I just put it in first before reverse and im good. sometimes when I forget I grind it pretty good tho.

 

I'm actually taking mine in to the dealership on Monday to have them look at it. My driver side door handle on the inside of the door sounds like something broke with it so I figured I would have them take a look at the tranny too while I have it in there. I'll update if they find anything wrong or say that it's just normal.