Trouble Shifting MT Into Reverse

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redmed
Posts: 492
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Location: Michigan

When I shift my manual transmission into reverse it does not fully engage and I get gears grinding. This happens two out of three attempts when the engine is cold and one out of four times after driving. I used to avoid this by shifting into first gear before shifting into reverse. Over the years this has gotten progressively worse and recently I started double clutching to get into reverse. Now even double clutching does not help much. Driving forward the gears shift like a dream never missing a shift. The only thing I have not tried is bleeding the clutch. Has anyone found that bleeding the clutch has helped? Or know of any other fix for this problem?
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KuroNekko
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Location: California, USA

I find that the Kizashi's manual shifter is a bit lacking in general, especially after driving a very good shifter like the one in my former Mazda3. It's the only thing I can say hands-down was significantly better about the Mazda. In the Kizashi, it's easy for me to mis-shift especially like from 6th to 3rd because the shifter is rather imprecise for quick shifting. I also experience the Reverse engagement issue you report. I now have a habit of double, triple-engaging Reverse with the shifter to ensure it's properly in gear before actually trying to back up.
That being said, how long has it been since your last transmission fluid change? That should have more of an impact than bleeding the clutch line for an issue like this. I've noticed lately that my gears appear to be a bit noisier as I'm approaching an estimated 35K to 40K miles on my trans fluid. I just bought a gallon of Red Line MTL for replacing the fluid at my next service interval. I'm gearing up for major service as I'm around 94,000 miles and plan to replace a lot of things at or around 100K ranging from brake pads, coolant, spark plugs, and trans fluid.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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redmed
Posts: 492
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Location: Michigan

I just reached 103,000 miles. Replaced the oil, filters, brakes and plugs at 100,000. Maybe replacing the trans fluid might help. I have put about 60,000 miles on since I last put some Red Line in. Double clutching was working out well until a few weeks ago when my wife was grinding the gears over & over again trying to put it into reverse. She rarely drives the Kiz. I had told her about how double clutching was working great and tried to explain the mechanics of double clutching. She didn't want to hear it. Just wanted to know what steps to do, not why. I was working in the basement when she started grinding the gears again and again. By the third grind I dashed up the steps to stop her. She told me "I did just what you told me to do" like it was my fault. Of course it was my fault. It always is. Since then I have been avoiding using reverse. Parking in the back of a parking lot where I don't have to back up or find a spot on a incline where I can use gravity to roll into or out. I'm getting tired of this inventive parking and have started thinking seriously of a Toyota Camry Hybrid LE. But. So far I can't bring myself to giving up my Kiz and need to find a solution. The first warm day I will replace the trans fluid maybe that will help.
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
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Woodie
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Location: Laurel, MD

That sounds like clutch to me. Bleed the clutch lines.
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redmed
Posts: 492
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:56 pm
Location: Michigan

Woodie wrote:That sounds like clutch to me. Bleed the clutch lines.
Bleeding the clutch was discussed before. I had planned to, but then the double clutching was working, so I didn't. the Kiz shifted so well in the forward gears I did not want to jeopardize anything. Now, I'm ready to. Has anybody bled the clutch and did it change anything?
64 Galaxie 68 Olds 442 65 Impala 70 VW Bug
74 Nissan B210 66 Chevelle 73 Olds 98 71 C20
75 Monza 82 Escort 75 E150 75 Civic 76 Accord
86 Escort 87 Taurus 83 Chevy G20 85 Ranger 4x4
93 F250 4x4 95 Silhouette 95 LHS 03 Corolla 10 Kizashi S MT
17 Sienna
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Ronzuki
Posts: 2382
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

What's the FSM have to say about the clutch's hydraulic system? May be sealed (not bleedable) IDK...
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
old tech
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I dont see very may manual shift Kizashis' go through here but plenty of the older manual shift sx4s and every one of those needs the top pivot pin on transmission pulled out and rust cleaned off and packed with grease to keep the shifter moving.If this is the problem , It can be noticed that the side to side movement starts getting tight. The other thing I can tell you is if you have bled out the clutch system with new fluid and you can fully press in clutch and you still get grinding while trying to engage reverse but all else seems fine then it may be that the wear on the clutch disc has made it down past the cut grooves on the face of the disc. These grooves pump air in flywheel face and pressure plate face aiding in clutch release
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Ronzuki
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Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:33 pm
Location: Lancaster County, PA

old tech wrote:it may be that the wear on the clutch disc has made it down past the cut grooves on the face of the disc. These grooves pump air in flywheel face and pressure plate face aiding in clutch release
huh...never knew that and makes perfect sense now that you explained the grooves. Learn something everyday. Thanks OT.
Ron

2010 Kizashi GTS, CVT, iAWD (3/10 build date)
2011 SX4 Premium Hatch, CVT, iAWD (12/10 build date)
2018 Mazda CX-5 iAWD Touring
2014 Wrangler JKUW (GONE, traded :D :D )
1991 Samurai, 5-Speed, EFI, Soft-Top ( :| sold)
rossirob73
Posts: 55
Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2019 11:06 am

Could it be the gear selector cable.
Not sure if one applies to the SK
Just a thought

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G13b
Posts: 75
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:12 pm

Mine is also manual but never had an issue, most commonly occurs with manual transmission cars due to driver abuse or those learning to drive a stick shift and not properly shifting gears. Often, you will hear clicking noises or a really loud clunk when you try to shift into reverse.

Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for this and the transmission has to get pulled and the gear replaced.
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