Shifting into first (4spd)
 

Hi everyone,

Is it normal for it to be easier to shift into first from after a stoplight if I shift into 2nd first?

Thanks to all who reply!

sometimes first is hard to get in gear for mine too, however both our trans are likely the same age. in general mine feels like worn synchronizers in first but I am happy because it is much better then the one I had before that vibrated badly and finally grenaded

Thanks for the reply. It doesn't grind or anything, it's just that it takes a little more force than if I shift into second then up to first.

Try bleeding the clutch, might not be disengaging completely. Try also pumping the clutch a couple of times before attempting to shift, see if that helps (will indicate it needs bleeding or a seal).

It's worn synchros. My truck does the same thing (135,000 miles) and it did not when new. I also had another car with a T5 tranny that was doing this and after I rebuilt it, shifting was slick again.

New synchros have a pointy side that meets the pointy side of the teeth on the shift rings and these allow them to align and pass one another. When they're worn, they get rounded off and meet head to head preventing them from aligning.

One technique I use on the truck is that I downshift into 1st gear as I roll to a stop. This has to be at a very low speed (creeping) as the practice is harder on the synchros at higher speeds. Basically, the wheels just need to be moving slightly, forward or backward and it'll slip right in.