08 Corolla 2nd gear grinding

[dabigjhall]

Hi, I have a 2008 Corolla 5-speed, and whenever I try to put it in 2nd gear while the car is going about 25 mph or more (because I'm slowing down to stop or turn - I don't try to engage the clutch at this speed), it grinds before going into gear. I am used to doing this in the F150 that I normally drive, but I'm trying to break myself of it. It doesn't make any difference if I put it in 3rd first or try to double clutch (assuming I'm doing it right).

Is this actually a problem or am I just not supposed to do this to it? I want to say something about the synchronizer not keeping that gear synchronized enough but I don't pretend to be an expert on transmissions. I am sure that I have the clutch in all the way (although I did have to adjust to the little car from my truck at first :P). The car only has about 63000 miles on it or so (at least that's what I recall).

Thanks in advance!

[ryan_t888]

A little late but better than never. Did you get this resolved?

Light pressure until it slips in should not make it grind. If this is done frequently it will wear the synchros. If you double clutch properly the gear should slide in perfectly.
To double check this go at the speed you experience the problem at. Pull it out of 3rd gear and in to neutral. Tap the gas to reach the RPM that the engine would be at if it was in second gear at that speed.
It's been a while since I had my 5spd CE but if I can remember correctly it should be around 3500RPM at 25mph. Now apply normal pressure in to second gear.

If this is done correctly as initially assumed, there should be no grinding in second gear as the synchros would have very little work to do.

Ryan