CLSspeedx

Hi all,

FINALLY got my transmission back last Friday. My CLS6 has never shifted better or felt better. (I did have the front and rear motor mounts changed while everything was out.)

The guy pulled it and redid it 3 times because there were little issues the first 2 times. This last time he had a private builder come in that only deals in Manuals... (That was a big relief.)

This last time he told me the building adjusted everything and that a bit of grinding (mostly on downshifts) was normal. I was doubtful but agreed to give it 1 - 2 weeks. I did some research and found that when new syncros and gears are installed, it is normal for a "bed-in" period.. thank god!

The car feels amazing except that I do occasionally get a grind, mostly on downshifts to 4th or 3rd when I'm going slow. They seems to almost all go away and so this morning I installed my Corsport aluminum bushing... what a great feeling!

Since the install, I drove it around the neighbor, never really above 45, trying to get it up to at least 5th. The 3rd gear grind downshifting around town seems to me more consistent.

My questions are:

1.) Is there a proper procedure I should do to "bed-in" the new synchros and gears, or just drive it normally and try to go through all the gears as frequently as possible?

2.) I know for a fact that they used honda fluid the first two times, not 100% this last time. Would it be advisable to swap on the fluid this soon? (200 miles at most) I had planned to do it at around 500, but I no longer have an overfill hole so I just would have to drain it all and refill it. I do have 3 new bottles of synchromesh sitting here also.

Any comments, ideas, suggestions are appreciated!

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Don't think so.
Just go easy on it the 1st 500-1k miles. No hard shifts or high RPM down shifts.
Just like if you bought a new car.

For the fluid find out exactly what they put in it. The Acura & Honda fluids are he same I think. But make sure it the newer stuff for improved shifting.

CLSspeedx

Thanks. It seems to be better after it warms up. That what I read the "bed in" period does. Gets the synchros used to warmed up and cooling down. They did buy fluid from Acura. But I know myself too well. I am not taking chances and will likely do a change soon, possibly this weekend

fsttyms1

about the only thing i would do is drive easy on it for the first 3-500 miles (assuming you have a new clutch?

phee

iTrader: (5)

jack up the front end and roll the car through the gears at idle speed. this is how you get fluids to the differential after a rebuild. if you have already driven it then it doesnt matter anymore. Dont romp on it but i would do one drive shifting at redline 1-4th to make sure everything works good.

baby it for a bit after that.

Cmanuel

Do you have a thread going where you discuss your experience, cost of rebuild, why you rebuild, etc? My CLS6 is starting to get miles on it and I'm wondering when things are gonna start wearing out.

CLSspeedx

Thanks... and yes I stuck with OEM but did a new clutch and flywheel.

OH ok thanks Phee, good to know! I probably should have asked first LOL. I did already drive it a few hard shifts here and there after things are warmed up. Never a straight 1-4 redline shift. Maybe a will to celebrate when i get my dash camera mount

No. I never made a thread because I didn't do the work or anything and it really car-specific. This was the 2nd time it was rebuilt (once by former owner) and most guys with more miles than me (126k) haven't needed theirs rebuilt once.

I pad $600 for them to drop the transmission and diagnose it. They would have put it back in for that price. After quoting me $1800 in parts alone, I cringed and did it. No car payments is a good thing and I like the car. It think my situation was pretty unique. He went through all the parts with me and things were pretty messed up, bearings worn out, etc.

CLSspeedx

If anyone has some time today or this weekend that truly understands the inner workings of a manual transmission, I would sure love to talk and discuss symptoms and try to wrap my head around what is happening inside of my gearbox. [Please send a PM if thats cool.]

NEWEST UPDATE TO THE NIGHTMARE:
Driving down to Miami yesterday in traffic I thought I missed engaging into fourth. Turns out the shifter no longer stays in fourth gear!

I also noticed now that the grinding during downshifts to 3rd work perfectly. I knew this f*(&$*% nightmare was not over.

Warned the shop to get some answers and after no call back, when I called, they want to try new fluid on Monday. Of course this won't work. So likely I will be having AmEx pull back the entire charge, and either go 1) exercise my warranty at another more capable shop (my friend's neighbor actually owns one in Miami though :/); or 2) just walk away and go to a different shop all together.

CLSspeedx

I figured I should make a new thread for this and will also post on the TL side I guess because I know a lot of them have done swaps... If anyone has some time today or this weekend that truly understands the inner workings of a manual transmission, I would sure love to talk and discuss symptoms and try to wrap my head around what is happening inside of my gearbox. [Please send a PM if thats cool.]

This transmission has essentially been rebuilt 4 times in a little over a month. I am so frustrated and would feel better if I have an idea wtf is happening.

NEWEST UPDATE TO THE NIGHTMARE:
Driving down to Miami yesterday in traffic I thought I missed engaging into fourth. Turns out the shifter no longer stays in fourth gear!

I also noticed now that the grinding during downshifts to 3rd work perfectly. I knew this f*(&$*% nightmare was not over.

Warned the shop to get some answers and after no call back, when I called, they want to try new fluid on Monday. Of course this won't work. So likely I will be having AmEx pull back the entire charge, and either go 1) exercise my warranty at another more capable shop (my friend's neighbor actually owns one in Miami though :/); or 2) just walk away and go to a different shop all together.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

This really sound like a nightmare. I feel sorry man. They must have done something wrong.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Maybe try Broward Transmission. The owner Emilio knows his stuff.

CL-S progression 01

iTrader: (2)

holy shyt I thought trans problems were only for the POS trans in the auto like mine. sorry to hear all that horse shit, that's just a testiment to how tainted the auto industry is. they all say yea i can fix it, but most just make it look fixed.

I'd get my money back and then go to another shop and start from scratch all over. if the same place even tries to fix it u know they're just gonna make it work then say IT's MINT. and will likely mess up all over again.

anyways keep ur head up and just remember, when some next round of BS swings ur way u'll be dealing with it WAY better than if this whole fiasco were never to have happend.

glass is half full

CLSspeedx

Thanks guys. It truly does suck. I will say the joy of feeling the transmission working correctly has kept me going. I know AmEx will back me but I also want it fixed.

The 1st time I took it it was grinding in 3rd and 4th. The rebuilder showed me my old gears and took ownership and said he knew what happened. He had put on some of the old rings and didn't realize the new gear set had them on until after so he ordered me an entire new gear set at his cost.

The 2nd time it would occasionally grind but definitely did during downshifts to 3rd.

The 3rd time he brought in a specialist that only deals with manual transmissions. He said he had to make adjustments and use shims of some sort. The car was like new. I was warned about some grinding while downshifting and that was normal during break-in and to drive it normally. Well I drove it conservatively. Now this shit.

I appreciate the help and advise. And I will definitely check out that place Fuzzy if it turns out I need to go elsewhere, thank you!

TheWeez

I went through transmission nightmares some years ago with a different car. Used an out of state performance rebuilder who fucked it up 4 times. Finally wouldn't even sent it back and demanded my money back. In the end Visa ended up crediting me back and the shop went out of business very shortly after. Best of luck getting your tranny shorted out. I know it can suck to have to deal with.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

try GM syncromesh modified friction fluid.

it cured my 3rd gear grind/popout

Cmanuel

Great post here.

Whenever I have to make a huge purchase, like car repairs, I ALWAYS pay with a credit card for the above reason. If anything goes to shit, your card company usually will go to bat for you.

Credit cards aren't always bad!

Good luck man. I hope you find resolve in this issue

fsttyms1

It could be many things, but mostly sounds like a poor rebuild. Syncros are usually to blame for grinding and stuff. I would try a different fluid. Do you know for sure if they used Honda fluid? I would try the new honda fluid if they didnt or GM Syncromesh FRICTION MODIFIED. If it continues it needs work.

CLSspeedx

Thanks everyone I appreciate the kind words and support and help!

Sorry you had a nightmare too, but nice Visa backed you up!

I have 3 bottles of Pennzoil Synchromesh here. I'm not sure that is the same thing. I'd love to believe its solely the fluid, but somehow it doesn't seem like I should be having to change fluid on a totally rebuilt transmission with a few hundred miles on it. Thanks too and I have heard great things about synchromesh.

Guess I'm hesitant to change anything and have the shop try to say I caused the problem. I did put on my corsport bushings, but thats on the outside and hopefully they won't notice

Thanks. Yes CC's serve their purpose!

I agree. This guy they brought in did seem to know his stuff. I will say this last rebuild the transmission felt SOO much better than even the first 2 times. I really thought it was good to go.

I gave the shop the Service Bulletin on the 3rd gear synchronizer issue and they keep assuring me they spoke with Acura directly and go every updated part directly from them. IMO, totally a gut opinion, after looking at the service bulletin and the receipts, they put in some updated stuff but didn't put in every little updated part as per the service bulletin (shift collars, etc.) and thats why I'm thinking a need a fresh set of eyes from someone that really understands transmissions. I've never been afraid to try to tackle anything myself, but a transmission--especially like ours--requires a specialist for sure.

RE the Fluid: I know they used Honda fluid they got right from the dealer the first 2 times because they showed me the bottles and told me they ordered it. Now they said something about reusing the fluid this last time and they want to order new bottles and put it in Monday.

fsttyms1

My guess is its still a syncro spacing issue. It could be one of them is/has been damaged by the first install of it and may need to be replaced? Arguing with and getting mad at the shop is the fast way to have nothing fixed. You need to remain cool with them but address that you are still having grinding and pop out issues.

CLSspeedx

I agree. They had replaced the 3rd and/or 4th gear synchro I know that much. And I agree about the spacing. that seems to make since since the problem seemed to be around 3rd and 4th gears each time and I know there is something called a 3rd/4th collar. (?)

I'm definitely remaining cool and only threatened to pull back my charge once when my bumper was f'ed up and he didn't want to take ownership of it. I will go by Monday and let them try to fluid. And I will politely remind him I have been patient over the last 48 days and ask if he feels capable of finishing this job or if I should go somewhere else.

CLSspeedx

New fluid in. Popped right back out of 4th. Now he wants the car a whole day to "check some things". Well as far as I'm concerned a transmission issue like this is internal and he has had it open 4 times. Have I been patient enough to consider it time to move on? Either to another Aamco I can trust, or to cancel the charge and move to another shop entirely?

fsttyms1

Make him pull it back out and fix it. If at that point it still isnt right dispute charges.

zeta

iTrader: (1)

There is a 6-speed tranny with 67K on car-part.com for $2K located in Tampa, if you are interested.

CLSspeedx

Yep that's my position now. After the corporate rep I spoke with called the shop I got a call immediately and they were very anxious to get the car in to begin first thing tomorrow. So I expressed my gratitude and told him I would be willing to give them one more chance. He's going to try and get it out and back in all in one day for me (pending no need to order parts I'm assuming).

When I get the car back I am driving away and never returning. If anything happens I don't even plan to tell him. I will just be calling AmEx and getting back all my money and going to one of the reputable shops in the area a couple of local AZ members have told me about.

Thanks. That price seems pretty fair. I had located a used one with around 71k-80k for about $1100 (with my core returned). That was going to be first route, then decided I wanted everything new to make sure the synchros were updated. Figured this was going to be the easier, less future trouble--albeit more expensive--route.