Third gear is a little bit "notchy" it's a bit rough to change quickly. I'd say it's the snycros? Is this an expensive fix?

Thanks

Stephen

well before getten to worried try changing the gearbox oil

Done that.....

Change at different revs-

If the revs match the road speed you shouldn't need synchros..

But you might be right, although it is usually 2nd that gets thrashed.

Could you please elaborate please Keith?

Hey Nick,
What Keith means is that for any given road speed the engine will also be turning at a particular speed. If you can guess the engine speed well enough when you change gears it will just slot straight in. Theoretically, you won't even need the clutch... but don't try it :-p

The Syncros (short for syncromesh) act like a clutch of their own, helping the transmission speed up or slow down to allow the gears to mesh properly (syncronised meshing, get it...).

Without syncromesh gear changes were difficult to get right or were very crunchy. Double de-clutching was used to overcome this.

Well they say you learn something new every day, hope I've helped you all fill your quota.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Oh I see, yeah I figured out how to change without using the clutch (by finding out the exact revs the engine had to be at for it to just slot right in.)

Thanks Jeremy.

Nick

yeah I've just been doubling the clutch.

Oh well lets see how good my mech warranty is then... :o :o

This a common problem with the box in both 2nd and 3rd, there are loads of threads on it over on LOC UK. Don't know of a box that has died completely because of it.

Don't worry and just learn to live with a little niggle.

Yeah it's quite a nigglel in 3rd, it's quite stiff sometimes adn kicks into your hand. I'll get it checked out with my mech warranty.

Most of our gearboxes are not incredibly smooth, and I know not everyone will agree with me on this one but I am yet to find a Toyota period that has a really smooth gear shift.

It is possible that your synchro's are on the way but it would be determinant on how you and/or the previous owner have drivin the vehicle.
I hope for your sake that it is not as it is very expensive to repair or replace. Mechanical wty does not usually cover synchro's (or atleast that is what Toyota told me - as Synchro's are due to driver thrashing) which is a big pity.
Back in February the cost for replacement was NZ$9,000incl ex japan and I dont believe that would have come down. To repair who knows but I did enquire when mine had issues and tracked down a second hand for $1,500.

Do note that the MX-5 Miata and the RX-8 use the same box incase this helps you sourcing costs or data.

Regards
Stephen

I had the same problem about a year and a half ago.

Lexus warrenty covered it, they found most of the 3rd gear sincro in the bottom of the box, it was a complete rebuild in house at canberra with all new gears and sincro's, it took them a week to do it (waiting for parts). The final result was better than new allot smoother and quiter.