Difficulty going into first gear

[tampa99vr4]

Last month I noticed that it was difficult to go into first gear. Became more problematic until one day couldn't get into any other gear without double pumping the clutch. So, put it on the lift and checked the clutch master and slave. All is fine there and I have a braided slave line with new slave cylinder installed a couple months ago.

Decide to change out the tranny fluid. Plenty of fluid comes out and is a dark brown. Refill with Redline MT-85 and take it for a drive. Can get into the gears now and all are fine except for first gear. I can roll to a stop and with clutch depressed, slip it in. However, if I just come to a stop, then try and go into first, I hit a slight wall and a little more pressure, can go into first. If I tap back towards 2nd (without going into 2nd), then forward to 1st, the gear slips in ok.

Thoughts on how I can smooth out the engagement? Possible synchro is damaged?

Thanks!

[DocWalt]

Synchros aren't doing anything when you're not moving with the clutch depressed. Sounds like the synchros on 1st are acting perfectly normal, fairly easy to slip in at low speeds (synchros are doing their job here) and slightly more difficult to slip in when totally stopped (synchros are fighting you a little bit here because the gears need to rotate slightly to align). All cars I've driven act like that, and my VR-4 acted exactly like that. The few other members on here that drove my car can attest to my tranny being nearly perfect

[terrets]

^Agreed. Does it in my Audi to if Im stopped and they arent lined up right, I either have to slip the clutch or let the car roll a bit..

[SUTHNR]

Sounds like maybe the dog-teeth on 1st gear and/or the 1/2 slider are worn. Synchros are not the only part of getting into a gear - they server to help line things up when everything is spinning, but it's ultimately up to the dog teeth on the physical gear and the slider to engage to actually "get into gear". If these are worn down nubbins, it becomes much more difficult to get into gear even at a standstill.

EricB

[Zaroth]

My car does this also, If i'm at a stop and it wont go in I usually just put it in second and then put it in first. Always makes it go in smoothly.

[anyonebutme]

also would be a prime time to bleed the clutch again