Guys, I have a 99' Civic LX 5-speed. It has over 270,000kms.

Since 2 months ago my shifter has been getting stiffer to shift. Its still driveable, but takes more hand power to switch gears. From my knowledge, it has the original clutch.

I also checked the manual trannsmission fluid and it is full. Is this something common with higher milage Civic's??

The clutch pedal feels normal just like before this stiff shifting problem arose.

I do notice that there is a whining noise when the engine is running with the car in neutral. But once I pull in the clutch, the whining noise stops. I suspect that is just normal transaxle wear due to the milage of the car. Unless the clutch T/O bearing is starting to get worn out.

BTW, the clutch isn't slipping either.

Any input or comments??

Thanks, Civic28

 

The whining noise is the Input Shaft Bearing if it is making noise in neutral with the foot off the clutch pedal and then goes away when you push the pedal. It should be unrelated to the stiff shifting.

Usually people have the opposite problem (loose shifter) due to worn out bushings. I wonder if it is possible that if a bushing wore out a certain way it would get stiffer.

 

consider changing the MT fluid. My shifting was stiffer when it got cold with my old MT fluid (around 90k miles); new fluid, now shifts fine regardless of temp.

 

does it feel like its binding? maybe some how your shift linkage is binding up...

 

I agree. Use only Honda MTF.

 

+3 :d

 

You mean just "old" manual tranny oil can make your shifting harder / stiffer?? I didn't think that could be possible...

Civic28

 

If it is also hard to shift into reverse (it grinds with the car sitting still), the clutch is not disengaging fully. That could be low clutch fluid level and/or a weak master cylinder.

 

No, everything is fine and full for the clutch hydraulics...

Its doesn't grind in reverse either.

Civic28

 

BTW, my tranny fluid is very clean. But can older oil lose its efficency?? (like the additives??)

This would be good to know.

TIA,