Was wondering if any of you are having similar problems with your B&M Short Shifter.

I got it for my 05 997s and have found it difficult to engage 1st gear at times. I would have to shift to 3rd or reverse before being able to engage 1st gear. Not sure if this is normal...

 

it happens in my 09, and it has the regular shifter.
Try this and see what happens: When the car is reluctant to go into first, hold it gently against the 1st gear gate and start letting out the clutch a bit. Does it fall right into gear?? (I do the into-3rd trick too and it works)
I was told that it was just the syncros goin' slow!

 

I think it is common issue - like when you are driving on 2nd and approach an intersection where you`ll have to do a complete stop so you`re trying to shift into 1st and it just does not go. It is not a bug, it is a feature.
I pull out of 2nd into neutral, push it back into 2nd and then usually it goes into 1st fine. Just something to get used to.

 

Train your first gear. You should be able to get it into 1st smoothly at any speed below 25 - 30 mph.

 

Suggesting taking transmission off just for that?

Well, sometimes it just does not go 'smoothly' and requires double clutching. I saw many complaints like this on this forum so I guess it is pretty common.

Or those trannies do really have quite ****ty syncros on 1st gear.

 

Could be as simple a a linkage adjustment or maybe people are just afraid to push the damn shifter into place. It is a warranty item and I would demand Porsche fix it so you can shift at the speeds suggested in your manual.

 

That makes sense. If it will become unbearable I will do that, but so far it is not that bad.

I think any issues with 1st gear automatically mean new transmission, well, syncros most likely can be done, but as Ian posted some time ago 1st gear assembly sits permanently on in axle so any issues with it mean complete gearbox replacement. I guess it has to be completely broken for dealership to go that far, any irregularities like mine will most likely result in an answer - it works as designed.

PS. As a matter of fact may be I was above 25 mph at most times I tried to push it in, and yes, I never push it too hard into 1st.

 

Syncros sometimes need training as they are too tight to begin with. Forcefully apply pressure into the gear and it will loosen up. No grinding.

 

Hmm, my car has 40K miles on it, I think everything that could be trained was trained long time ago. Now it is most likely wear and tear on syncros.

But I will try (gently) next time it gets stuck like this. One time will not hurt.

 

Wow......

The first gear engagement issue is a common problem and usually only occurs when the transmission is cold. It is normally a problem when sitting at a light or a stop sign in neutral and then trying to get into first for the the green light. SSK's tend to amplify the difficulty.

Again, this is a common issue, or should I say normal trait, with multiple threads on this forum alone.

Jason

 

Agree, I usually have issues when I leave my house and have to stop at first stop sign at the corner. Double clutch then go into second and then 1st engages just fine 99% of the time.

 

Yes I believe the problem is a result of tranny being cold. Once its warm and all the internal bits are properly expanded, no issues. I would not even call this a problem but rather a normal trait of the 997 6spd Tranny.... oh well

Jason

 

I would hope than everyone with any common sense knows that anything cold does not operate as it does when warm. Like warming up before a jog, a car also need to be warmed up or you risk damage.

 

Happens to my 05 Carrera as well. When i am at a dead stop i go from second to first, seems to solve the issue 95% of the time

 

Yep, my tranny has probs getting 1st sometimes when at stoplights. Putting it into 2nd or 3rd and then back to 1st solves it. I have the standard shifter.