clinto
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First, don't apologize for bumping old threads. You're using the site exactly like it's supposed to be used.Ok, sorry to necro an old thread, but I'd like to see if the wisdom applied in this thread applies to my situation:
Driving in traffic, I generally downshift to 3rd or 2nd when coming to a stop at a light. If the light is a long one, I might shift into neutral and release the clutch to save the wear and tear on my leg.
Should I expect grinding to occur if I then clutch and shift to 1st? Or would grinding indicate a problem.
In answer to your question: Yes and no (yes on grinding, no on damage. Here's what is happening:
With the engine running, transmission in neutral and clutch released (pedal out), the upper shaft in the transmission is spinning. When you push the clutch pedal in, the shaft continues to spin for a while, due to inertia. Since 1st/R are not synchronized, when you put it in either of these gears, some grinding will usually occur, because one gear is spinning (the mainshaft 1st gear) and one is not (the countershaft).
To correct for this, simply push the clutch pedal and engage 2nd or 3rd: You are doing this in order to stop the shaft from spinning. You can do this without grinding because the synchronizers do their job. Once you've gotten it in gear, then simply shift to 1st. You will encounter no grinding, because now, neither the upper (mainshaft) or lower (countershaft) are spinning.
This "trick" can be used on any gearbox that doesn't have a synchronized 1st/R.