meinmd

Hi guys,

I have an 06 TL 6MT (51K miles). I had the classic 3rd gear difficulty so I drained the MTL and refilled with the AC Delco Friction Modified MTL. Now the 3rd gear issue has been reduced by 80% or more, but my 2nd gear synchro is still stiff as can be in the mornings...and sometimes even all day. I takes some force to get into 2nd and even then I can feel gears gnashing...almost like as if I don't have the clutch pedal depressed.

I have been using every Amsoil lubricant in everything for at least 15 years...should I try changing to Amsoil synchromesh MTL? Or is a tranny rebuild in order?

Thanks for all input.

meinmd

ez12a

maybe try bleeding the clutch? I too find sometimes 2nd and 6th are hard to shift into when cold. After it reaches normal operating temperature for a few minutes it smooths out a lot. I'm running GM branded FM fluid.

I also find the 6MT likes decisive shifts, as in your shift movements should be nice and fluid into the next gate from neutral, not slow in engaging the next gear. (do not confuse it with slamming into each gear).

meinmd

ez12a, I'll replace the clutch fluid with Castrol GT LMA this coming weekend...I agree totally with the TL 6MT requiring decisive shifts. My previous car was a 98 Accord 5MT and I could drive it like a granny (nice show shifts from gear to gear). Not so with this car. I have had to change my driving style to suit this machine. It seems to enjoy being driven harder than I used to drive the Accord (and I was a really easy driver).

Thanks for your input buddy.

6MTrules

My 2nd gear is usually stiff unless one of 2 things happen:
1) I've been driving around town for an hour or more, doing lots of shifting and the tranny is nice and warm.
2) Shifting from 1-2 at about 4K RPM. I've found this will guarantee a butter shift every time. This may equate to "driven harder" from other posters. But for me, other gears are perfectly happy shifting in the 3K range.

Majofo

You're going to change your MTF with Brake Fluid. Seriously?

Majofo

OP, I can't find confirmation on the Delco juice being the same as GMSFM. I'd change to GMSFM. Regarding Amsoil, it won't fix the issue. Good fluid but it has been tested already including RPFM and they didn't fix the 3rd gear issue.

6MTrules

Oh, yeah I do have GMSMFM in as a preventative. Never had 3rd gear issue.

SouthernBoy

If you are finding it hard to shift into a gear under normal driving conditions, you have a problem... i.e., this is not normal. Aside from defective parts or poor installation practices, the most common causes of synchronizer failure are racing, quick shifting (when driving "normal"), skip shifting, and improper downshifting. When you add sub-quality components to the mix, any one of these can shorten synchronizer life even quicker.

You should not have to force your transmission into a gear, and by force I mean abnormal pressure on the shifter. It should be smooth and natural regardless of ambient temperatures (granted in really cold conditions, transmission fluid is going to be thicker). Undue force needed to complete a shift into a gear is symptomatic of a problem. Linkage, shifter forks and/or sleeves, synchronizers, poor quality or old transmission fluid... any one of these or a combination thereof could be the culprit.

FWIW, my '04 manual TL has over 88,000 miles on it and if you were to drive it, you'd swear that it has had a complete transmission overhaul and new clutch assembly, but everything is just as it left the factory... with the exception of two drain and fills with GMSFM fluid.