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5MT troubles shifting into Reverse?


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I have an 06 LGT with a 5MT (as the title says), and I was wondering if anyone else has problems shifting into Reverse. This problem usually presents itself when I am initially moving in 1st (or 2nd).

 

After coming to a complete stop, I shift to engage Reverse. Sometimes I find that the gear won't shift into the R position, and I have to re-engage 1st, creep forward for a few inches, and then trying again. Unfortunately, there have been times that I had to "creep" 3 times before I managed to engage R.

 

Anyone else experiencing this problem, or am I doing something wrong here? Thanks!

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Mine does the same thing. There are no synchros on the reverse gear, so the teeth have to match up almost exactly for it to engage. It's a common occurance and there's plenty of other threads about it:

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67405

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22493

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17181

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3216

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Double-clutching almost always works for me when stationary. Don't try to force it and focus on your double-clutching technique.

 

I park on a very slight incline so I usually clutch-in, let out the e-brake and as I start to roll backwards I let the shifter fall into place with light pressure. Blip the revs, clutch-out and gone...

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I have the same problem as the OP, as bad or worse. It's stiff getting into R about 1 in 5 shifts. 1 in 10 is bad enough that I have to drive forward in 1st before I can get into R. I'm amazed Subaru makes a tranny with such crap behavior. The notchy, craptacular 5MT is definitely the most disappointing part about this car. :mad:
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You needn't engage 1st and creep forward. Just drop back to neutral, let out clutch briefly (this is what allows the tranny gears to spin to a new position relative to the reverse gear), and clutch in and try Reverse again.

 

This usually works for me, but there is that one shift in ten where nothing works but driving forward. I'm thinking about taking it into a dealer but I suspect the ones around here will tell me it's "within spec"

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Mine does this too..so did my rex...it makes our cars unique...;):lol:

 

Yep both my 5 MT Imprezas had the same issue, i always had to throw it into 1st then R in order to properly engage it.

 

The subaru 5 MT box has been essentially unchanged for 15-20 years, hence the consistency in the quirks.

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The trick i always use is to put it back in neutral and ever so gently push on the gas while putting it back into reverse -- don't punch the gas (not the easiest thing to do in a LGT) and then try to shift, you have to be gentle and gas/shift nearly simultaneously. Too much gas and you'll grind it (which is why my husband doesn't use this trick to get it to shift -- he always grinds it and I never do). If you're on an incline, letting it roll back a tiny bit sometimes helps. My integra had the same issue and once i figured out the gas trick i had no trouble getting it into reverse. I only notice the LGT doing it when it's on a slight incline, too... never on a steep incline or flat surface.
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^ I started using the same technique on my '05 impreza. Thought it was because I had the "cheap" model and the problem would be eliminated with the upgrade... oh well :rolleyes:

 

I still LOVE this car and would buy it again, it's just so damn unique, even down to it's quirky tranny ;)

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