I searched a few threads on grinding transmissions, but nothing to my particular issue has arose. It's more of a technical/ethical issue.

When driving normally, most of the time when cruising in 3rd or 5th, I up/down shift into 4th, I SOMETIMES get a grinding when engaging. This isn't all the time, and have been unable to pinpoint any common denominators as to when this happens, other than when I've been in 3rd or 5th for a while and haven't shifted. And sometimes it shifts normally, like every other gear. 2nd gear sometimes does this too, but less often, and less noticeable.

Now, I just bought the car this month, and have a 2 month/2000 mile power-train warranty. I would bring it up to the dealer to have them check it out, but I bought the car 4 hours away across state. They said I could bring it to a local GM dealer when I bought it, If any issues ever arose. But I already gave them **** for a couple things. My question is, what would you do? I might just bring it to the local GM dealer, Sweeney, and have them look at it. Or should I call the dealer I bought the car from first to let them know i'm having issues and that they're going to have to pay to have the local dealer look at it? Could it be a synchro? Should I get it fixed now? Thanks for the help and advice. You guys are great.

 

I'd get it looked at immediately if you have a warranty. Could be the previous owned trashed 4th and its grinding cause its about to shatter.

 

Little update: I called the dealer I purchased the car from. They told me to have it looked at at my local dealer and then have that dealers service people call their service people. I set up a date for 12/13 next Thursday to have it looked at. I'm really hoping they find something so I can get a new tranny or a rebuilt one for free. I have no idea what it could be though.

 

Update: Took the car to my local dealer today who did an estimate on it for me. They found that the 3rd-4th gear synchronizer is bad. They called the dealer that I bought the car from, and told them. The dealer where I bought the car from wants to do the repair themselves. I hope they send me a loaner car.

 

damn that sucks dude. at least they are fixing it for free

 

We'll see. I don't really trust anybody now a days.

 

Update: Talked to the original dealer's service guy. It's going to cost them $2500-3000 to do the repair, so they want to do it in house since most of that is probably labor. I told them I need a car since I'll be driving 4 hours away and they said that could be arranged. So I'm bringing it to them on Monday morning

 

Good Luck Have them check the 2nd gear syncro too since they have it opened
ALSO....
Have then inspect the clutch. A Clutch is a wear item so its not warrantied. But
if its worn significantly, it would be cheaper to replace it while the tranny is out then
to have to have them re pull the tranny later on to replace the clutch.

 

Get the whole trans replaced like me lol

 

mine does it sometimes

 

Just got the car back a few days ago. The dealership didn't have the tools to open the tranny and replace the synchro's, so they got a full drop out with 0 miles out of a cobalt that was damaged on the assembly line. I guess there's a yard GM has for these. But anyway, I'm not sure they adjusted the lines or bled the clutch correctly. They were probably trying to save time. But my clutch engages and disengages at the bottom of the pedal, nowhere near the top. I'm thinking about getting a SS clutch line and STS, so i can adjust the cables and bleed the line then. But I got the car back and there's no grinding anymore. Happy to report.

 

When you say "grinding," do you mean there's an actual grind sound? Or, is it just a grind feel? Pop-out?
Curious.

 

It most often is a grind feel. But once a day I'd get an actual grinding in 4th. Like I actually felt the rotating assembly grinding.

 

Wow, I don't think I've had that problem. Knocking on wood.

 

Just rev match on down shifts and drive right, shouldn't have a problem. I'm sure my car was owned by some young punk before me.

 

Rev matching on downshifts isnt the problem...its up shifting.

I get a random grind sound going into 5th sometimes. Actually happened yesterday on my home from work. Usually I notice it when its cold out and the car has been sitting outside for awhile. Once the car and tranny is warmed up...I can't recall hearing it

 

I bet it's not that big of an issue. But if you flushed your tranny with synchromesh, I bet it would go away.

 

I have a twm sts and Zzp adjustable clutch rod for sale if you're interested. It's for 2.2 and 2.4 models(shifter) clutch rod is for all models besides ion

 

Does everyone's clutch engage/disengage halfway down the pedal? I have to give the car some throttle while i'm coming off the clutch or else the clutch will catch without gas and shake the car, especially after i completely disengage the clutch and push the throttle. It's like a whiplash effect.

 

Mine catches half way IIRC, but the car will move under its own power in first by just letting the clutch go...and roll. Of course...done too quickly it will stall

 

That's exactly how mine is

 

Mine does that too, it engages about half way an if I dont push the gas down it vibrates really bad.

 

Have you bled the cultch to try and fix it?

 

I can say that my Saturn with the same drivetrain does the same thing :P

Once in a while, I'll go to shift into 3rd and it'll pop out, usually if I'm trying to go quick. I also grind sometimes going into 1st while moving, but usually it's because I'm zoned out and trying to shift into 1st at too high of a speed.

 

Did you have any mods? Tranny mounts or engine mounts?