I am new to the forum and just purchased a '99 Civic LX with a 5 spd manual with 117,000 miles on it. Overall it is in great condition with a few minor quirks that I will address over the next several weeks. The first one is:

When I sometimes slow down in second gear, I will hear a slight grinding sound and I will have to put it back into second gear because it has slipped out. I know it is NOT from me not putting it all the way into gear all the way, and it has done it to me a few times now. The previous owner said that the clutch had been replaced about 30,000 miles ago (not sure why it needed to be replaced so soon) and I can't detect any slippage. When I shift gears it seems to be a little loose in all of the gears (not firm and precise) but I am having trouble with second gear slipping out specifically. It doesn't do it all the time, but enough to where it needs to be addressed.

Does something just need to be adjusted, or is it more technical? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Another thing I noticed is there is quite a bit of movement in the shifter (in all gears) when I step on the gas and release. There is no grinding when I shift normally between gears. Could it be a bad motor mount that is causing it to slip out of second gear? Like I said before, when I am in second gear and let off the gas, I can watch the shifter move up, and sometimes it will slip partly out of gear.

All the research I have done leads me to believe it could be a bad motor mount, bent shift fork, bad synchros, or something else. Has anyone had something similar happen to them.

 

from what I've read, when they slip out of gear like this its often either your rear mount or a bent shift fork.

Bad synchros often cause grinding but won't cause it to slip out of gear. There's also a good chance that one of your gears is beginning to detiorate.

Maybe someone with a little more experience can chime in on this one...