Do you have to lift off when changing gear? Tell me your transmission woes...

lambertius

Banned
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341
As I've been digging through my transmission issues I've had my car apart three times and learnt a lot about the different data points that the TCU provides. I'm trying to further improve that understanding so tell me what issues you've had and how you have resolved them!

I'm particularly interested in the 'lifting off to change smoothly' issue as that is clearly a very common issue but is so innocuous that a lot of people believe it is normal behaviour. If you drive your car like that I would be super interested in knowing your service history as I have a suspicion of the cause of it now and would like a few more data points.

If I can get enough info together I'll do a concise pre-purchase and trouble shooting write up based on everything that I've learned so far. So whatever you can share please do!
 

Swedish Paul

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1,807
I usually lift when everything is cold. Once warm, any jerk is depending upon the throttle position i.e. giving it a good thrashing. FSH, 35,000kms.
 

Evo Cymru

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688
I don't have to lift but do find it gives a smoother change usually, particularly lower in the rev range. Not so noticeable or needed at higher revs? 2006 GS at 92k miles (last clutch change at 66k).
 

safrane

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16,747
Had three CC coupes now.

I only lift off when doing a relaxed cruise in the car.

First 4200 a 2004 MY car was much more 'raw', my second was a 2006 MY face lift 4200 and had a much smoother, but lazier change, my GS is like a half way house between the first two.

I normally get c1000 miles per percentage wear on my clutches across all three cars. Always use a specialist for services and have done 25k in the first, 3k in the second and 13k in the latest car.

All have run the factory, set up.
 

Scaf

Member
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6,512
On the GTS MC in auto if you are gentle the gear change is fine, give some beans and it’s jerky.

In manual mode it’s the same gentle driving no need to lift off, giving it a thrashing then Lifting off gives smoother change.

To be honest in manual I lift off more because it feels natural to do so than to get smoother changes.

car had 29,500 miles full service history, original clutch
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
4200 with 6 speed manual transmission here

I like to do a slight blip of the throttle on the upshift to promote a smoother transition between gears as the engine speed drops quickly while the clutch is depressed.

Not the easiest car to heel toe on downshifting but once you get used to it then it's fine

No transmission woes at all though... My original clutch flywheel & bearings have been recently changed at 68k miles, the clutch had meat left on it but the flywheel, spiggot and thrust bearings were very much on their way out
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,512
On the GTS MC in auto if you are gentle the gear change is fine, give some beans and it’s jerky.

In manual mode it’s the same gentle driving no need to lift off, giving it a thrashing then Lifting off gives smoother change.

To be honest in manual I lift off more because it feels natural to do so than to get smoother changes.

car had 29,500 miles full service history, original clutch
Oops just realised you weren’t asking about GTS’s
 

lambertius

Banned
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341
Oops just realised you weren’t asking about GTS’s


All good, anything running a variation of the CC is good data.

So anyone who lifts off to get a smoother shift - particularly when driving slow/lazy/easy - I've got two questions:

1- On the last clutch change was the flywheel resurfaced?
2- When was the gear oil last changed?

I know you will have to dig through the service records to find out, but it is for the greater good.

The lift off is definitely not normal, and I've drilled it down to a combination of three components and want to try and confirm it.
 

Scaf

Member
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6,512
I am on original clutch, gear oils get changed every two years, it's the same before and after changes.
 

Evo Cymru

Member
Messages
688
All good, anything running a variation of the CC is good data.

So anyone who lifts off to get a smoother shift - particularly when driving slow/lazy/easy - I've got two questions:

1- On the last clutch change was the flywheel resurfaced?
2- When was the gear oil last changed?

I know you will have to dig through the service records to find out, but it is for the greater good.

The lift off is definitely not normal, and I've drilled it down to a combination of three components and want to try and confirm it.

I changed the oil a few years ago at 90k - didn't really notice any difference to the changes. Not sure about the flywheel but as it was a Maserati main dealer I doubt it!
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I changed the oil a few years ago at 90k - didn't really notice any difference to the changes. Not sure about the flywheel but as it was a Maserati main dealer I doubt it!

If it was a main dealer they would more than likely have changed the flywheel.
 

safrane

Member
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16,747
As stated previous; clutch wear has always been on all three coupes c1% per 1k miles.

I have only changed on clutch, on the GS at 41% worn due to tang failure. The new one was a lot better when cold but the same when warm.

I have always serviced the cars by the book despite some years doing less than 800 miles... this year (MOT to MOT) it will be 250!... dammed lock down, house sale, busy job, etc etc.
 

rossyl

Member
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3,312
On my 4200, I tested this out.

if I completely lifted off, then changed gear, foot off the peddle, the shift was noticeably worse, the clutch was slipped too much and you might even get clutch smell.

Instead, holding the peddle in the exact same position through the change, was what I did most.

I understood that when people talked about lifting during the change, this was the very very slightest of lifts.
I tried that slight lift, made no difference to me holding the peddle position, so didn't bother.
 

GTVGEOFF

Member
Messages
381
Only bought my Gransport last December and only done a few hundred miles, clutch is at 15% wear, had a new clutch kit 7k ago with seal kit and clutch position sensor. No mention of flywheel on the invoice.
When driving slowly around town I get a smoother upchange if I lift off bit in the lowner gears, seems to be a lag between changes if I don't do that, not so noticeable in sport
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
When driving slowly around town I get a smoother upchange if I lift off bit in the lowner gears, seems to be a lag between changes if I don't do that, not so noticeable in sport

What's this driving slowly you mention? :conf1:

Foot to the floor, no lifting required. Flick the paddles and enjoy the ride!