Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

[nsxexotic]

Ever since I got my car back from Mr. Bernie (Davis Acura of Langhorne, PA) a few months ago I have been having trouble putting the car into gear. Seems worst when cold. Its impossible to put the car into 1st unless the wheels are at a DEAD STOP. I am forced to lug the car using 2nd gear because of the difficulty of putting it into 1st. At times its also hard to put the car into 1st or reverse at a dead stop cold or warm.

Under 2,000 miles ago I had Mr. Bernie install a new snap ring & trans case, new OEM Clutch & about 10,000 miles ago my car had a new master cylinder & slave installed. Pedel was also adjusted so that the clutch rod was 110% depressed to the point of maximum disengagement when shifting. All fluids are check... full max.


Can anyone give me a few pointers.

thanks, lee
91 NSX est 85k mi

 

[EK4 hatchback]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

It may be related to the transmission oil, check what they put in.

 

[hlweyl]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

My first instinct would be to take it back to Bernie and have him check it. Was your 1st gear easy to engage at speed before the work was done?

 

[nsxexotic]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

I can't exactly remember - but I am sure it was much easier before the new clutch & case.

Of course they used OEM Honda MT fluid.

Any more ideas? thanks in advance.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

This MUST go back to Bernie. He needs to test drive it with you. If it was anybody else I would say it is not initialized correctly, but Bernie....well I kind of doubt it.

Does the car slip into gear easily if the engine is turned off?? If so, for some reason your clutch is not disengaging. Where does the pedal grab, high- low?? Is there clutch pedal end play, or maybe too much end play?

HTH,
LarryB

 

[WOODY]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

I have the same problem, less so when it is warmed up. it does shift when car is turned off, but i really have to force 1st and reverse when it is running. usually I just turn it back off and shift into the gear I want. i have a comptech pg2. Larry, what is "initialized"? my clutch was origionally oinstalled by MB and had the problem, then reinstalled by Devin at payn so I am assuming correct installation and alignment. is that synchro mesh stuff an option?

 

[nsxexotic]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

Larry,

Yes car goes it to ger easier when car is OFF.

There is little clutch play because I have adjusted the rod to be fully depress 110% in attempts to solve the problem. - meaning the pedal grabs high. It helped a little but didn't solve the problem of hard shifting.

My clutch is not disengaging ???

As always, thanks for your help.

 

[GPW]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

The problem is very well known to mechanics who are expirienced with NSX double disk cluth. Middle plate has to be inisiated. If that wasn't done @ Davis Acura after clutch replacement, U'l have this problem over and over again. It seems to me that we are neighbors/I am in Phila/,so PM me and I'l help U out

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

As mentioned the initialization is only applicable to dual plate NSX clutches.

nsxexotic,

You mentioned a NEW OEM clutch. Has this problem existed since the clutch was installed and continued for the 2000 miles?? Again get it back to Bernie, test drive it with him.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxexotic]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

I feel reluctant to go back to Davis Acura because of the agruement that arose with the service rep. Anyhow I'll give them a call and set up an appointment.

The car was fine with the original worn out clutch in terms of smooth shifting.

Actually the problem started when I installed the SPEC Stage II clutch and because of hard shifting and shuddering I had it switched back to NEW OEM and its was maybe 20% better. All work was done by Davis Acura.

They usually tell me to drop of the car and sit in the waiting area... should I just ask the rep to let me talk to Bernie?

thanks.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

I would hope they would be alright with you speaking to Bernie. Your comments make is sound like there is quite a bit of "history" with this repair.

So Bernie installed a COMPLETE NEW OEM clutch(flywheel,mid, pressure plate and two disks), including new pilot bearing and throw-out bearing?

Did Davis (Bernie) install the new master/slave cylinder?

LarryB

 

[nsxexotic]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

There was no history to the repair but problems with the agreed price on the repair. I think he wanted like 500 more after I towed the car in. In the end the customer was right.

Yes Mr. Bernie installed everything including bearing and pilot.

Master and slave was installed by the previous owner (I think at Acura of Ocean NJ) but was under 10,000 miles ago.

thanks

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

OK,

I really think you must see Davis about this. Otherwise the next guy will be forced to pull it out and charge full price for any repairs if it comes to that.

Good Luck with the situation. Let us know if you have any more questions

HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxexotic]

Re: Clutch Engagement Problem -rock hard shift to 1st (new clutch, new master/slave)help?

Thanks again for your help. I plan to give DAVIS a call tomorrow to set up an appointment for next week. Tired of hard shifting - hope they can resolve this problem.

On the other note a friend of mine has a 01 ACURA CLS auto that is hard to take out of park when cold. Any ideas? I'm going to search the acura cl forums. transmission troubles--- err.