Just got it & third gear grinds can u guys help???

97' Eclipse GSX 5-speed w/ only 68k. Third gear grinds like every other time I shift into it. Only had the car for under 500 miles. In the mourning it seems ok, but after driving it for like 15 minutes (or till the engine gets to normal temp) it starts grinding. As of the moment I try to avoid using third gear. I'm planning on changing the tranny fluid and rear tranny fluid this week, but I don't think that's the problem. It's also got a fidinza flywheel and act stage 2 clutch installed. There's also a clutch fluid leak some where, and I fill it up at least twice a week. I'll be checking that this week as well. Can I just get third gear replaced? Do I need a new tranny? Any suggestions??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Before going and replacing your tranny, which would be really expensive, you should change your tranny fluid and put Penzoil Syncromesh in it. That has solved so many peoples problems with third gear. If it doesn't help though, you can have just third gear replaced but its a terrible pain in the ass to pull the tranny out of an AWD car. If your gonna go and do that and have big plans for your car, then I would suggest building up your tranny a bit too.

97' Eclipse GSX 5-speed w/ only 68k. Third gear grinds like every other time I shift into it. Only had the car for under 500 miles. In the mourning it seems ok, but after driving it for like 15 minutes (or till the engine gets to normal temp) it starts grinding. As of the moment I try to avoid using third gear. I'm planning on changing the tranny fluid and rear tranny fluid this week, but I don't think that's the problem. It's also got a fidinza flywheel and act stage 2 clutch installed. There's also a clutch fluid leak some where, and I fill it up at least twice a week. I'll be checking that this week as well. Can I just get third gear replaced? Do I need a new tranny? Any suggestions??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Also seeing that you have a leak. Check your clutch cylinders.

Leak=air in the line=clutch drag. Is it just 3rd gear? Sounds like you have a bad blocker ring, $3 part $300+ in labor lol

Thanks for your input guys. I'm changing the tranny fluid w/ pennzoil syncromesh this weekend and try to fix the clutch fluid leak. I'll update you guys on the progress. Thanks again!