i have a hawk sti , and when car is cold its almost impossible to select 2nd gear unless your under 20 mph, this goes for both upshifts and downshifts.
Gear will select if double declutch and match revs, once gearbox up to temp there is no issue at all , selects fine.
Seems to be only 2nd gear while cold, is this a normal scooby trait?

 

Sounds like the beginnings of a synchro issue.

 

I would suggest it's already an issue, not the beginnings of one...

Early six speeds had some issues, mine made a tiny "clunk" shifting into 6th gear.

dunx

 

They can be a bit like that when cold , mine sometimes is like that to get into first gear from cold.
If its not had the gearbox oil changed for a while get that done as this can help.

Actually having re-read your post if its as bad as "almost impossible" to select 2nd then its not just because its cold.
They are notchy when cold but shouldnt be impossible.

 

The almost impossible part mainly just applys to the 1st 5-10 mins of driving, seems harder to select on downshift and easiest way is to double declutch and blip the throttle, seems smooth then.
If i leave the car out in the sunshine or drive for 10 mins this problem goes away, the box had its oil changed 3 weeks ago with millers so i think that should be ok.
This is the 1st STI ive owned so just wanted to check if this sounded normal or is it a problem i need to nip in the bud now before it becomes an expensive issue

 

Any sign of it getting worse, THEN fix it before it gets even more costly, IMHO.

 

tbh iam thinking i agree with u dunx, was only wondering if this is somthing i should address now or later,
Iam under no illusions it will prob need a rebuild a some point, just find it odd thats its only the 2nd gear.
I remember have a cav sri some 20 year ago and 2nd gear had a limiter set on it to stop high rev down shift, was wondering if this was similar

 

My Hawk STi has tight smooth gear changes in all gears hot or cold, yours if as described is damaged in some way

 

Same my 6 speed is lovely

maybe get some good grade oil in there (redline, motul ) may help

but does sound abit bad if its "impossible" to get in 2nd

darc

 

It's one of 2 things, as dunx and Daz have said, syncro issue or they have put the incorrect fluid in your gearbox.
Go back to the dealer and have the stuff Subaru recommend for your car put in, you will be amazed how many garages don't know what to fill a Dccd box with....

Tony

 

I had exactly the same problem in my bug, after I got the gearbox oil changed,I used to let the car warm up a little before moving off, but recently put around 300mil more oil in and it seems to have cured the problem.

 

As above, an oil change would be my first move.

dipster

 

My 2006 Hawk STI is a little bit notchy into 2nd after first starting, requiring a little sort of double declucth, but soon settles down - and sometimes also changing down from 3rd requires a bit of sympathy. But it's nothing seemingly that serious and I think it is a trait to an extent. Maybe the type of oil is more crucial for perfection - as is the correct fillling level. I did check the dipstick level when I first picked up the car last month and it was to the right mark, but oil be watching it like a hawk..... That said, the old bugeye used to be a bit notchy and reluctant into reverse, which again was a longstanding trait in common with other previous cars I have owned but this STI is so smooth into reverse.

 

Just some more questions? On another post in this section recently, someone said it does not matter if you put more oil in the gearbox over the dipstick max mark (topping up via funnel into dipstick holder apparently). So if you put a bit more in, so say the it's a bit over the max mark on the dipstick, would this extra help cure any notchy tendences? I'm usually vigilent to make sure the oil/fluid levels are spot on to any given max mark as per owners manual, but is the gearbox a bit more open and forgiving of being overfilled? Also, does anyone have suggestions as to the best gearbox oil. Lastly, could you top up with a different brand of the correct spec, or only to 'top up' with more of the exact same as dealer last put in?

 

Well ive took the advice here and added a little more oil, weird thing is from 1st - 2nd is now smooth as can be,
However going from 3rd to 2nd still is same, now to me this is either knackered syncro ( since declutch and match revs makes it smooth ) or do these cars have a saftey thing on low gears like my old car did, wont like u select it over a certain speed.
Iam leaning more towards the knackered syncro since its never a prob after 10 mins driving

 

Rallispec in America quote this for a cure
Billet selector fork kit includes 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, and 5th/6th forks machined from steel billet for maximum reliability. Eliminates worn out plastic fork tabs (a serious problem on the 6MT) which can lead to loss of shift precision.