I just picked upa 94 integra for a pretty good deal, but it only has one problem and that is it grinds 3rd gear. I talked to the guy and he said when he did the clutch, the bearing that is connected to the shifting fork was pretty much destoyed. So he put in a OEM clutch kit, and said it grinds 3rd. I think a synco is bad, but just picked it up tonight, so I haven't even had a chance to really explore yet. Just wanted to throw it out there and see if any body has had a similar problem. Thanks.

i just recently picked up a 94 ex, mine also grinds going into third, more when im on the gas harder, if im easy on the gas, doesnt do it so much. i was thinking syncro problem also. guess im not much of a help to you, but now you know your not alone. i feel better when i know im not alone. so hope you feel better atleast.

It is a syncro problem, well known in Honda's, and I guess Acuras, not sure if they use a similar transmission. I counldnt shift into 3rd above 3000 rpms it was so bad. Ive nearly completely gotten rid of the problem using GM syncromesh tranny fluid. I can shift at 6000 easy after babying it for a day or two after changing the fluid.

Yea, my 3rd gear is completely useless right now, no matter the rpms. I have gotten into gear twice, but I don't feel like replacing a flywheel or a new clutch so I haven't pushed the issue. I will definately try the GM syncromesh fluid. I'll give it a whirl, and I'll let you know. Thanks guys.

check if your shifter is loose ...i would grind second all the time no matter wut speed or rpm ...so one day i took a look and my short shifter was was loose were it conected to the shift linkage i tightend it up and ..wala so scope that out too

well if its grinding.... IMO i would start saving up cash to have the tranny either rebuilt OR just replaced with a good one. and just skip that gear to try and keep debri out of the tranny case.....

if ya keep grinding the gear you could just be throwing shratnel all inside the case which is not good for any moving gears!

yea, that's what I have been doing. Just driving it basically in limp mode without 3rd. I'm still trying to find time to try the syncromesh.

I have decided to just buy a Syncro Ring Kit, and not take any chances or any more time and money. Does anybody know where I can find where to buy a kit for a good price besides ebay? It's a 94 Integra LS 5 speed, and I'm looking to do it ASAP. Any info will be appreciated, Thanks

I'm working on a 97 ex tranny rite now, and it grind in 3rd.. can shift into 3rd, but as soon i let the clutch go, it grind, hell of a noise..gona take it apart and look at it... am thinking it might be the shift fork.. but will update all of you once i figure out the problem.

Aparently it's a common issue with the LS tranny, A friend of mine was warning me about it today

Be ready for a painful weekend when rebuilding a tranny for the first time...

o man... if i was to ever attempt a tranny rebuild id make sure i bought a seperate tranny to rebuild and take my time.LOL
be prepared to bust out the torch to heat parts up and put others in freezer to shrink them and lots of space... lable everything and put them in the order they where removed. easy to lay out some old cardboard boxes and draw a grid on the boxes and space everything out and TRY NOT TO KICK THE BOX.LOL will make it alot easier when reinstaling everything so you dont miss one part and have to pull it all back apart again! NOT FUN!

You could always just replace the syncro, although a new one runs like 600 bucks I heard. Probably cheaper to buy a junk tranny and tranplant it....but like I said, the syncromesh worked amazingly for me. I had to go 2nd to 4th for abouta 8 months because I figured the syncromesh fluid would do much, if anything at all. And now I can practically redline 2nd and shift to third without any grinding.

I just bought a syncro ring kit for 62.00 shipped. I have them in hand now, when ordered yesterday. I have a friend that is a honda guru and is going to throw them in for me. I'm also gonna have him throw in a new input shaft bearing since my civic's was raising hell. I was thinking about throwing in an OBX LSD while I was there. I know lots of people say bad things about them, but from what i've heard and seen from a few buddies running it, that the first gen or first design was flawed like crazy, but the second gen or design is much better. All it takes is retorqing the bolts on the lsd and shimming correctly if needed. If installed with care and correctly, then it's definately tried and trued.

where did you orderthe syncros kit from?

I have decided not to go withthe OBX LSD, and use that money towards my "poorman's turbo kit" I will hopefully start piecing together in the next few weeks. As for the rings, I bought them from Consolidated Tranmission Parts out of Sanford, FL. They are awesome people, and extremely fast shipping. It goes out UPS ground, but it leaves that night basically. If you're interested call and talk to Johnny.

UPDATE..!!

Finally have sometime to day, and decide to take it apart while working on another tranny at the same time, just more curious of finding out what cause it to grind other than my guess of the syncros or shift fork.

BTW, if you not familiar with tranny tear down, look at my DIY.

So I did a tear down while putting my other tranny work on hold as you see in below pix. Ireplace the syncros, syncros guide and gear.. take me about 1 hour from start to finish. As you can see in the pix below:

After casing off
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0081.jpg


3rd and 4th syncros guide, bottom syncros is for 3rd and upper is 4th gear.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0084.jpg



Currently working on another tranny.. and junk from other tranny tear down.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0087.jpg



My pile of useful junk from other tranny. I'm glad I saved it..
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0088.jpg



Left side is from the tranny.. right side is from my pile in the pink bin. You can tell the different in the syncros and gear.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0092.jpg



Removal of syncros for comparison.. GOOD syncros
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0095.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0096.jpg


Syncros guide comparison. Notice the top is grind off.. compare to the good one on the bottom.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0107.jpg



I also replace the 3rd gear, it also show some wear (top).
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p188/droopy128/civic%20project/DSCF0099.jpg

Nice detailed pictures and explaination on the tear down. It should be really informative for somebody diving into a tranny.

i have th esame problem with my 94 but its second gear and thats the most used one well for me anyways..... if i baby it and shift at 3k and slowly put it in to gear and slpwly let out hte clutch its fine and if i jsut slam it in to gear and drop the clutch it works then to anything inbetween it doesnt work would that be a syncro? also