Hi, I've got an 83 TA with a T5. When I first start the car it goes into reverse just fine. After it has been running a bit it really grinds when I put it into reverse. So, it this the first warning signs of a T5 going bad? I have no idea as to the mileage on this tranny, I assume it is original, if so it is probably well over 100K.

Thanks!
TA76

 

It sounds like your reverse synchro is shot. It is not uncomon with that milage. All you have to do it shift into 1st or 5th. That will spin up the gear enough so that it won't grind. There is another post about this. Search for it and read that too. Its not a big deal, you just have to take it easy going into reverse.

 

Hmm?

Like most stick shifts, the reverse on the T5 is NOT synchronized (at least, I looked all over my parts diagrams and never saw a reverse synchronizer!)

I've had several T5's, and grinding in reverse is common, especially if the fluid is low. The best way to combat it is to shift into 5th before shifting into reverse. The grinding is exacerbated by the straight cut reverse gear, unlike the other gears that are helicaly cut. This is also why the tranny whines in reverse .

BTW, the T56 is one of the FEW trannies that has a synchronized reverse.