Hi All,

I'm new to this MR2 business and have an unfortunately have a couple of issues with my recently acquired Two.

So I'll start with some back ground on the car...

It's an Imported '95 NA G-Limited with 140,000 on the clock, which I think (hope more like) will probably be KM as it's an import.

The first issue occurs when down shifting into 3rd from either 4th or 5th.

It basically grinds hard every time....unless I let the revs drop completely, or slot it at the perfect moment, but I'm not exactly sure at how many RPMs this perfect moment occurs.

I can shift up into 3rd from 1st or 2nd with no issues, although every time I accelerate again it kicks the gear stick back slightly, but not enough to throw it out of gear (which I have read they do).

I'm no mechanic, but I have a half decent understanding of mechanics and I'm always willing to learn, but to me this sounds like maybe a gear linkage issue?

I only think this because I can go from anything above 3rd, into 2nd but not engaging the gear and then into 3rd and that allows for a normal gear change.

The second and more frustrating issue is that my clutch is slipping like a b!tch in all gears if you want to give it a bit of oomf. Sometimes 2nd gear is fine and pulls like a trooper, but 3rd is dog poo and 5 slips an awful lot when you try and accelerate at by-pass/motorway speeds.

Any advice on the issues would be brilliant.

I have looked all over the place in the forums etc so I'm not too lazy

but I haven't found any combination of issues like mine so I can't be 100%.

Unfortunately I don't have a jack or any tools atm so I might not be able to have a nosey for myself anytime soon.

But like I say, a diagnosis and potential cost implications would be greatly appreciated.

That said, I thank you all in advance for your time reading this even if you don't post.

I love my car and just want it to feel right again. Former glory and all that.

Kindest Regards,

Ben

change the clutch first anyway ... I would imagine the gear stick moving is just something loose but I cant really think what it could be

U have worn baulk ring synchromesh unit on 3rd gear.
The baulk ring is used to synconise the speeds of the gear ur in and the gear ur going into. A worn baulk ring doesnt get the speed down quick enuf which leaves a grind, and it only happens on the downshift as on the upshift the speed is slower than the gear ur going into.
When u let the revs die down before u change it goes in smoothly as ur allowing time for the speeds to equalize so the baulk ring doesnt have to do it.
U need a gearbox recondt, if everything else in the box is ok ur looking bout a 200 euro recondt but ul have to take the the box out and give it to a specialist. U cud buy a second hand box for bout 100euro, but id insist on being able to drive the car it came from before it was taken out to be sure it didnt have similiar problems as mr2s are prone to having bad downshifts into 2nd and 3rd.

MjMitch knows his stuff so I would believe every word of that ... I know ST182r has a perfect gearbox for one of those on the way.. he took it as a trade .. I know cos it was mine and I needed to change it to do the turbo conversion ... drive shafts are different .. Its still in the car for a few more days .. But the engine has a bottom end knock so it cant really be driven

Not sure if anyone's interested, but thought I'd drop an update in any case.

I called a company called Mr.Clutch today, they have a centre here in Southport so it's nice and close....

Anyway, I explained the issue to the chappy and he advised a new clutch, which will be £250 fitted, he also said that as the gearbox will be out to do the clutch he could probably repair the gearbox for inside £50 on top of the clutch.

So hopefully £300 max on this issue = Me as 1 happy camper.

This sound reasonable to you guys?

Oh and I forgot to thank you for your advice @MjMitch and @Japohara....much appreciated and I'm sure it won't be the last time you will help me out.

250 for the clutch is average, and u need a clutch so it sound good.....50 extra to fix the syncro is a brilliant price, id go ahead at that, make sure u drive the car afterwards and cofirm its fixed before u pay him!

Having been told that price on the phone, I went in to have it looked at and he said it could be upto £750 but this is prior to him talking to his gearbox man.

I can't afford that at all and wouldn't pay it to them if I could tbh.

Defo going with a new clutch and I'm still waiting for him to give me an official price on a recondit.

To be fair to the guy he did offer doing 2nd and 3rd synchros at the same time as 2nd is likely to go as well (thanks for the heads up Mjmitch).

So essentially he's trying to chatge £500 for a gb refurb which is scandalous if you guys can pay 250 euros.

I'm guna have a wee shop around, Southport is notoriously expensive because it's where the rich scousers live. Lol.

My gf lives in Preston, so it might be worth me trying there.

I'll keep y'all posted.

Cheers for the advice and support this far.

Oh and a little update if you're interested......

The slow regeneration of my Two has begun....I ordered new windscreen wipers and yellow headlight bulbs, I'm also guna grab some black paint to touch up the wiper racks, as well as getting some quotes for a body work touch up - the previous owner was a helmet and has scuffed the corners of the front bumper quite badly, as well as having that tacky black bonnet.

thats way to high for a recond, ur prob best off just dropping in a second hand unit, u wud have the complete job(clutch and box) done in less than a day and wudnt be without the box for a week.
Mate of Bommies is breaking a NA at the mo, check this and link and give him a buzz, see if the box is good
rev2 NA for breaking