Q: Stiff gearbox, difficulty when shifting gears

asked by on October 10, 2016

I bought my manual transmission,6-speed '08 Hyundai Tiburon around 8/15/16 with about 91,500 miles on it.There was only some difficulty in shifting gears when I test drove the vehicle. Between 9/1/16 and 10/10/16, I've found it is extremely difficult to shift gears- it's the most difficult when putting the vehicle into 1st and reverse. Around 9/6/16,I had a reputable local mechanic drain the old gear out of the vehicle and put fresh gear oil into the transmission case.The old gear oil was a very dark black in color.The gear oil change didn't seem to help with the tough shifting. Sometimes, double-clutching makes it easier to shift gears.The dealer I bought the car from said he had his guy put it in a new "flywheel" and a new "spindle disc." The slave cylinder looks new to me too. I found the original owner/1st owner of the car and he said he sold the car around 12/1/15 because "the clutch was going bad." When the car is off, and I try to shift gears, the car shifts like butter.

My car has 95750 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Clutch Master Cylinder Replacement $169.67 - $512.68 Get a Quote
Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. Your vehicle is having a clutch problem. It is either that the clutch itself is failing or the hydraulics for the clutch system are not building the correct pressure.

I usually start by checking the hydraulics. I visually check the movement of the clutch slave cylinder when the clutch pedal is being applied. If it is not moving much then it may have a problem with the clutch master cylinder. This is a common failure. If there is good pressure and good movement at the slave cylinder then the clutch itself needs to be done.

If you want to have this shifting problem diagnosed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this problem. Best of luck.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I jump-start my truck?
If the battery of your truck dies, it will need to be jump-started. Jump-starting the battery is an efficient way to get power back to your vehicle. You will to need a booster vehicle to jump-start your truck. To jump-start...
Car running hot
The coolant may not be leaking, but fumes from the overflow can be smelled when it is running hot. Your vehicle should be checked to see if the fans are working, and the thermostat is okay. A pressure test for...
Bad crank sensor
Hello. Just about anything is possible but it is unlikely. I have seen crank sensors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-crankshaft-position-sensor) go bad and cause many issues, but if you are not having any other issues then I think that it is unlikely. If I...
Transmission service light on
There are many different reasons for the Transmission Service Light to come on for your 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas. The most common would be low fluid level (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a fluid service interval (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-transmission-fluid-last) that has been exceeded. If you...
P0455 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo
The code P0455 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0455-obd-ii-trouble-code-system-gross-leak-evaporative-emission-by-john-nelson) is for a gross leak in the evaporative gas tank system and will not have any thing to do with overheating, but may have something to do with other issues. The overheating would should be the...
Front windows won't work - 2011 Volkswagen Touareg
Hello. The first step is going to be checking the switch. If your master switch works from the driver door panel for some windows but not others, you will want to check for voltage available at that window's terminal with...
My Dodge Neon is misfiring on cylinder #4. The Check Engine Light is on, code is P0304.
A misfire can can also be caused by a vacuum leak, a wiring problem, a faulty fuel injector (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-injector-replacement), a bad electrical connector, or any number of other causes. It would be best to pull the codes that are causing...
No crank no start.
Hi there. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Check the cables that attach to the starter and make sure that they are all tight and clean. The starter remote wire could have an...
Car hesitated and transmission engaged before acceleration
Some of the CX5s have been having severe transmission problems, which is exactly what it sounds like your's is experiencing. There have been a couple cases of complete failure, even with under 1000 miles on them. It's possible that it...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Hyundai Equus
It’s It’s only fair to start this guide by equipping readers with the proper pronunciation – the luxury Hyundai with the funny name is said “ek-wuss.” With that out of the way, this sedan with the odd moniker may not...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Clutch Switch
If your manual car is starting without the clutch pushed in or is not starting at all, you may need to replace the clutch switch.
Understanding Hyundai Service Required Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Hyundai Service Required light indicates when your car needs service.