First gear grind

I just bought an '04 WRX wagon this past weekend, and a good percentage of the time when I shift it into first gear (from a stop, not rolling), it grinds going into first. Or sometimes, it grinds and kicks me back out of gear. Usually, though, it feels like a dogbox shift, where it goes "thunk/crunch", but goes into gear. Is this normal? Is there something I could/should do to prevent this? I know about the straight-cut gears and the not-as-well-made-as-they-could-be synchros, but from a stop I wouldn't think that would matter.

How many miles did it have when you bought it? Does it only do it coming down from 2nd to 1st? Are you giving the synchros plenty of time to work or just pushing it in?

Try, when you hae the clutch in to shift, blipping the gas so it revs up a little and see if that helps.

he said from a stop, not rolling. So giving the synchros time to work is irrelevant. My tranny does this all the time, or at least a good part of the time. I figured it was because I have been beating the crap out of my car for the past 3 years... :shrug:

Some lucas tranny oil helps the problem a little, holds everything together better. Mine does the same thing, it hasnt been a big deal yet. Though, mine rarely ever grinds into 1st from a stop, at a roll its a little harder to get into gear.

It goes into gear fine when rolling (as fine as any other car going into first gear at a roll, anyway). No troubles with the downshift, even from a fast roll. A little heel-toe and first gear is just like every other gear. Just shifting into first from a dead stop from neutral makes it rip. It feels like the clutch may not be all the way disengaged or something. But like I said, it only happens sometimes. Most of the time, no problem at all. The WRX had 60 miles on it when I got it, and if it makes any difference I have the factory short throw shifter. Hope I don't have to get a new clutch after the first 3k miles. Wonder if the warranty would cover the difference for an upgrade to the full organic clutch...

Hmm, that's wierd. Dunno what to tell you.

Most dealers are stingy. If you're going to get a new clutch, get one that's badass. Go for something from Spec, the make some good stuff.

New info based on further experience with the "problem": As long as I don't put the lever down into second gear while I'm at a slow roll or a stop, it doesn't happen. Thus, to fix the problem, I'm going to use the old fashioned "Does it hurt when you do that? Then don't do that," remedy and not put it into second when I'm not going very fast.

I have that same problem!

Clutch TAP THE A Gas A LITTLE THEN Shift...cuz Wrx Have High Performance Clutch..too Sensitive N I Think Its Pretty Normal..its Just Weird Wen U Hear It..Somtimes Yull Hear A Clunk Sound UnderneATH Cuz Yur Drive Shaft Is Pretty New ..

just got my WRX have the same porblem. though for me i can't get it to go in anywhere above 20mph. even stationary it grinds alittle bit. i think its normal, not ur clutch, read too many reviews prior to buying the car, seems like alot of ppl have the same problem. my friend has the same car and he swithed to neo synthetic lubricants, and now it shifts very smoothly. so i doubt its ur clutch.